Jamilah Johnson has been one of ABAC’s leading hitters this season. The slugger, who transferred in this season, is hitting .279 and has driven in 22 runs.

TIFTON — The Georgia Collegiate Athletic Association’s softball championship is up for grabs this weekend and if the Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College can notch three wins during that span, they’ll be the ones holding the big trophy.

ABAC enters as the No. 2 seed in the tournament, which takes place at Strong Rock Christian School in Locust Grove. The Fillies get started today at noon against East Georgia State. Their game follows Georgia Military versus Andrew College. The two winners square off at 4 p.m., the losers at 2 p.m.

Saturday’s competition could start as early as 10 a.m. for ABAC, but with some luck, they will be in the championship round, which is slated for noon.

The Fillies, who are under the direction of Jennifer Walls, enter with a record of 38-14 and have won their last eight contests. In the conference, they were 24-4, which was just behind GMC’s 26-2 mark.

The difference in their conference records is attributable to their season series. GMC won three of four, but the Fillies got the last one, 4-3. But before they see Georgia Military, they have to deal with East Georgia.

“They’re not to be taken lightly,” said Walls.

The third seed, the Lady Bobcats went 23-13 during the regular season. The Fillies won the first two games against them handily, but a doubleheader in Swainsboro turned into a pitcher’s duels. ABAC took the first game 2-1, but East Georgia won the second one, 2-1.

The final game sticks with Walls. “That’s what makes me nervous,” she said. “They were so happy to beat us. We have to make sure we come ready to play.”

East Georgia was ABAC’s last loss this year. During the eight-game win streak that has followed, the squad has five wins by shutout and is averaging seven runs per game. They closed out the season with a 14-0 romp against Andrew College.

Walls said the team’s success is through recruiting, finding players who buy into the program.

Two of the biggest differences are from players who get on base 50 percent of the time. Taylor Layfield has an on-base percentage of .500. Alexis Meadows is right behind her at .487. Meadows is hitting .354 this year, Layfield .407.

“Other teams don’t know how to pitch to those two,” said Walls, who pointed out that Layfield hit .517 in conference games. “Facing a batter like that is challenging.” Meadows ups that challenge by creating chaos when she makes it on base. She’s swiped 24 bags.

Layfield leads with 41 runs batted in. Meadows, Braxton Hill, Shyann Dorough and Jamilah Johnson each have knocked in 22 or more.

Winner takes all in this tournament — first place only goes to the national tourney in St. George, Utah — and all can be the winner. “You can be the four seed and win the tournament,” said Walls. ABAC has seen that happen. The Stallions were seeded fourth in the 2018 GCAA baseball tournament, got hot and won their way to nationals.

“I know we can do it,” she said. “If we can take care of business we can go to Utah.”

Walls said tournament games will be broadcast live on jockjive.com. Fans can also follow along with the Fillies’ GameChanger account online.