With opening day less than a week away, the Putnam County softball team appears confident months of hard work and practice will pay off.
The War Eagles will open their 2026 season next week with a two-game series against Northside-Columbus, marking the competition debut of first-year head coach Gabriel Dyar and the beginning of a new era for the program.
After spending the summer getting acquainted with players, Dyar said the foundation has been laid for a more competitive team.
“It went really well,” Dyar said. “We had a good turnout all summer. It was a really good experience for the girls to kind of learn who I was and for me to learn who they are.
I think we’re definitely taking the next step to start being a successful ball club.”
That progress began with a heavy emphasis on fundamentals.
Each practice started with throwing before moving into fundamental drills, creating a consistent routine that Dyar believes helped the team develop.
“We’ve definitely really focused on the fundamentals aspect,” Dyar said. “I think they have learned and progressed a lot over the summer.”
The War Eagles also return an experienced senior class that includes Michelle Hernandez, Jaycee Maddox, Kennedy Davis, Ashlyn Fuller and Bristol Harris. Dyar said he believes that group has embraced leadership responsibilities while adjusting well to a new coaching staff.
Harris, who is expected to anchor the team’s pitching, has stood out alongside Hernandez throughout the offseason.
“Bristol Harris is going to be a big arm for us in the circle, and I think her leadership has really grown over the summer,” Dyar said. “As well as Michelle Hernandez. She’s going to be one of my top middle infielders, and the leadership they both have shown has been outstanding.”
While competing for a region championship remains the long-term objective, Dyar said his principal goal for this season is for the program to improve each day.
“Obviously, the main goal is to compete for a region title,” he said. “But honestly, I want to see them just grow and get better every single day. As long as we’re getting better every single day, there’s really nothing I can be upset about.”
The early-season schedule was built with fostering that improvement in mind.
Following a seasonopening twin bill against Northside-Columbus, Putnam County will face East Jackson, McDonough, Rabun County, and Tallulah Falls before entering region competition.
Dyar said most of the schedule was assembled after he took over the program, though a handful of games had been pre-arranged.
“I think early in the season it’s a good test to kind of see what we’re made of,' Dyar said. “It’s pretty much to really get us ready for region play.”
That region slate will provide little room for error.
The War Eagles will battle established programs, including Social Circle, Jasper County, and Laney, all teams that Dyar believes have set the standard for the region.
“They’ve all done a really good job over the years,” he said. “To compete with that, you really have to be on your A-game. Preparing these girls earlier in the season is very, very vital for us.”
As the season opener approaches, Dyar said excitement around the program has continued to build. After wrapping up preseason preparations with a scrimmage at Locust Grove, he believes his players are eager to show how much they’ve grown.
“They're super excited and ready to roll,” Dyar said. “I think the mentality this year is to really show growth, and they’re ready to attack it.”