Riverwood softball holds first place in 6A Region 7 with a 12-4-1 overall record and a 6-1 mark in region play, according to MaxPreps standings updated Sept. 22.
The Raiders have outscored opponents 118-67 this season. GHSA ranks them 13th in the AAAAAA classification as of Sept. 23.
The run started Aug. 5 and 6, when Riverwood swept the Battle of Sandy Springs tournament on its home field. The Raiders beat Mount Vernon 6-5, Holy Innocents' 3-1 and North Springs 14-5 to open the season 3-0, as first reported by Fulton Neighbor. All four Sandy Springs high school programs competed.
First-year head coach Jason Russo told Fulton Neighbor the comeback win over Mount Vernon in the opener planted a belief that has carried the team. Russo said the fight in that first game set the tone because his players learned they could rally from any deficit and the game was never over.
Russo took over the program after nearly a decade at Riverwood. He joined the teaching staff in 2018 and began coaching in the baseball program in 2019 before moving to softball, according to a Riverwood Athletics announcement. He teaches Adapted Physical Education and serves as a Special Olympics Georgia coach.
Senior pitcher May Weis, a University of South Carolina commit, has anchored the circle. Weis reached 500 career strikeouts during an 8-0 region win over Gainesville on Tuesday, Sept. 1, according to Riverwood Athletics. Russo told Fulton Neighbor that when Weis is pitching well, two or three runs is all the Raiders need.
The milestone was no surprise.
Five seniors lead the roster: Weis, shortstop Zoe Taylor, left fielder Lizzie King, center fielder Audrey Busch and right fielder Leah Weis. Russo credited the group's leadership for the team's results.
Sophomore Sydney Jimenez moved to catcher during the season, a shift Russo said has benefited the lineup.
Riverwood travels to Marist on Monday, Sept. 28, then hosts Johns Creek on Tuesday, Sept. 29, and visits Milton on Thursday, Oct. 1. The Johns Creek and Milton games count in region play.
