By Chris McCarthy/Editor
Southside High’s Claire Graves ended her prep softball career with the Triple Crown in postseason honors.
On releasing its 2015 All-State softball teams last week, the Alabama Sports Writers Association selected the senior pitcher as the Player of the Year, Pitcher of the Year and first team pitcher in Class 6A.
Graves, who will attend Troy University this fall on a softball scholarship, was a major factor in the Lady Panthers’ 42-7 record, North Regional Tournament championship and runner-up finish at last month’s state tournament. Southside also won the Etowah County Tournament title.
On the mound, Graves posted a 35-4 record with 277 strikeouts in 110 innings. Prior to the regional tournament she had a .513 batting average with 61 hits, 48 RBI, 21 runs scored and nine home runs.
Several other local players received postseason recognition. From Etowah, junior pitcher Madison Grant and senior third baseman Amber Jones made the Class 5A second team at pitcher and utility, respectively. In 211 innings, Grant posted a 28-8 record with a 1.44 earned run average and 129 strikeouts. She also batted .350 with 35 hits, 29 RBI, 25 runs and five home runs while helping the Lady Blue Devils go 31-9 and qualify for the North Regional Tournament. Troy signee Jones finished with a .388 batting average, 45 hits, 15 doubles, six home runs, 37 RBI and 45 runs.
Selected to the Class 3A second team from Glencoe were senior pitcher Jessica Rathje and sophomore catcher Alaina Hampton, who helped the Lady Yellow Jackets win the Area 11 Tournament and finish a victory short of making the state tournament. In 167 innings, Rathje finished with a 1.81 earned run average while striking out 199. She also batted .344 with 42 hits, 35 RBI, 30 runs and four home runs. Hampton ended up with team highs in batting average (.561), hits (69), RBI (37) and runs (52).
Etowah senior second baseman Nicki Rodgers and Gaston senior catcher Darby Samples were named to the Class 5A and Class 2A honorable mention teams, respectively. Rodgers hit .388 with 50 hits, 15 RBI and 37 runs. Samples helped the Lady Bulldogs post a 24-18 2 record, win the Area 12 Tournament title, finish third at the North Central Regional Tournament and qualify for the state tournament.
2015 ASWA All-State softball teams
Class 7A
Pitcher of the Year:
Haley Crumpton, Thompson
Hitter of the Year: Mary
Kathryn Bonamy, Spain Park
Player of the Year: Lacey
Sumerlin, Baker
Coach of the Year: Tony
Scarbrough, Baker
First team
Pitcher: Haley Crumpton,
Sr., Thompson; Lacey Sumerlin, Sr., Baker; Jordan Holifield, Jr., Baker; Allie
Kelley, Sr., Central-Phenix City
Catcher: Brooke
Miller, Jr., Buckhorn
First base: Mary
Kathryn Bonamy, Sr., Spain Park
Second base: Kailey
Stoker, So., Sparkman
Third base: Katie
Webb, Jr., Central-Phenix City
Shortstop: Taylor
Corbett, Sr., Central-Phenix City
Outfield: Lexie
Mathis, Sr., Baker; Mary Hannah Smith, Jr., Baker; Baleigh Boltz, Jr., Theodore
Designated Hitter:
Delaney Thomas, So., Baker; Jenna Olszewski, So., Spain Park
Utility: Taylor
Beshears, Sr., Hewitt-Trussville; Katelyn Wilson, Sr., Mary Montgomery
Second team
Pitcher: Paige
Bannerman, Jr., Sparkman; Bailey Murphy, Jr., Hewitt-Trussville; Natalie Foor,
Fr., Grissom; Emily Jacklin, Jr., James Clemens
Catcher: Aly Smith,
Jr., Smiths Station
First base: Keaton
Barnes, So., Huntsville
Second base: Kelsey
Edwards, So., Thompson
Third base: Shelby
Booker, So., James Clemens
Shortstop: MacKenzie
Nutt, Sr., Sparkman
Outfield: Carmyn
Greenwood, Jr., Oak Mountain; Mary Catherine Nichols, Sr., Hoover; Taylor
Davis, Fr., Sparkman
Designated hitter:
E.J. Hardy, So., Vestavia Hills; Mary Katherine Tedder, So., Spain Park
Utility: Ashlee
Sanders, Jr, Oak Mountain; Destini England, Jr., Spain Park
Honorable Mention
Pitcher: Taylor
Adams, So., Prattville; Lauren Hayden, So., Buckhorn
Catcher: McKenna
Ray, Jr., Bob Jones; Abby Tissier, So., Hoover
First base: Victoria
Ortiz, Fr., Baker
Third base: Katelyn
Cotton, So., Mary Montgomery
Shortstop: Makenzie
Huey, Sr., Auburn
Outfield: Abby
Spencer, Sr., Auburn; Jenna Goldsmith, Sr., Enterprise
Designated hitter:
Briana Campbell, So., Tuscaloosa County; Tate Moseley, Fr., Hewitt-Trussville
Utility: Caroline
Payne, Jr., James Clemens
Class 6A
Pitcher of the Year: Claire Graves, Southside
Hitter of the Year: Destinee
Brewer, Wetumpka
Player of the Year: Claire Graves, Southside
Coach of the Year: Randy
Belyeu, Wetumpka
First Team
Pitcher: Claire Graves, Sr., Southside; Cydney Sizemore, So., Dothan; Jada Hayes, Sr.,
Hartselle; Makenna Pierce, Fr., Daphne
Catcher: Aspyn
Godwin, Fr., Daphne
First base: Kerri
Irvin, Sr., Northridge
Second base:
Savannah Woodruff, Jr., Saraland
Third base: Lacy
Strimblin, Sr., Valley
Shortstop: Claire
Jenkins, Jr., Cullman
Outfield: Destinee
Brewer, Sr., Wetumpka; Bree Fornis, Sr., Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa; Brooke Ingram,
So., Fort Payne
Designated hitter:
Taylor Wascavage, Sr., Hartselle; Alexis Sydnor, Jr., Opelika
Utility: Lauren
Lett, Sr., Wetumpka; Ryan Simpson, Sr., Valley
Second team
Pitcher: Rylee
Waldrep, So., Oxford; Olivia Schwaiger, So., Cullman; Danielle Clarke, Sr.,
Saraland; Lexus Burrows, Jr., Valley
Catcher: Cameron
Monday, Sr., Dothan
First base: Amanda
Ingram, Sr., Stanhope Elmore
Second base: Allie
Miller, Fr., Chelsea
Third base: Karsen
Mosley, Fr., Saraland
Shortstop: K.K.
Crocker, Jr., Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa
Outfield: Alexis
DiLorenzo, So., Pell City; Ta’Lia Brown, Sr., Baldwin County; Cyndra Graves,
Jr., Athens
Designated hitter:
Jasmine Thompson, Sr., Northridge; Savannah Reaves, Sr., Wetumpka
Utility: Mayson
McGee, Sr., Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa; Paige Barnett, Sr., Hueytown
Honorable Mention
Pitcher: Ellison
Barrett, Jr., Florence
Catcher: Hannah
Shollenberger, Jr., Florence
First base: Jessica
Lee, So., Fort Payne
Second base: Kelly Campbell,
Sr., Scottsboro; Lindsay Massey, Sr., Northview
Third base: Madison
Chambers, Sr., Briarwood Christian; Mary Katherine Winfield, Fr., Northridge
Shortstop: Courtney
Richardson, Sr., Wetumpka; Katie Hale, Jr., Citronelle
Outfield: Kelsie
Lankford, Jr., Hueytown; Sydney Lee, Jr., Citronelle
Designated hitter:
Emma Dean, So., Dothan; Cassidy Huff, Jr., Saraland
Utility: Kryslin
Chappell, Jr., Fort Payne
Class 5A
Pitcher of the Year:
Abby Swaney, Springville
Hitter of the Year: Dayla
Gulledge, Rehobeth
Player of the Year: Dayla
Gulledge, Rehobeth
Coach of the Year: Chris
Williams, Springville
First Team
Pitcher: Abby
Swaney, 8th grade, Springville; Sharley Miller, Jr., Hayden; Caitlin
Perry, Sr., Alabama Christian; Bailie Barnes, So., Beauregard
Catcher: Dayla Gulledge, Sr., Rehobeth
First base: Rian
Brown, Jr., Springville
Second base: Brooke
Meadows, Jr., Hayden
Third base: Kendra
Gibbons, Sr., Central-Clay Co.
Shortstop: Lacey
Fincher, Fr., Faith Academy
Outfield: Addy
Deason, Sr., Corner; Hannah Lee, Sr., Marbury; Talia Truitt, So., Rehobeth
Designated hitter:
Alexis Marchozzi, Jr., Rehobeth; Karra Elam, Sr., West Point
Utility: Timberlyn
Shurbutt, So., Alexandria; Maddie Seymour, So., Faith Academy
Second team
Pitcher: Madison
Grant, Jr., Etowah; Raygan Larson, Jr.,
Rehobeth; Jade Ingram, Fr., Marbury; Lauren O’Dell, Jr., Alexandria
Catcher: Abbey
Latham, So., Demopolis
First base: Kendall
Tucker, Jr., Beauregard
Second base: Erin
Farlow, Sr., Alexandria
Third base: Sydney
Daugherty, Jr., Beauregard
Shortstop: Megan
Hill, So., Lawrence County
Outfield: Katie
Lively, Fr., Helena; Sidney Wagnon, Fr., Moody; Shatima Smith, Jr.,
Central-Clay Co.
Designated hitter:
Taylor Wagnon, Sr., Moody; Shelby Wright, Jr., Calera
Utility: Amber Jones, Sr., Etowah; Sydney Burcham, Fr., Russellville
Honorable mention
Pitcher: Layton
Murphy, Marbury, So.; Laura Turchiano, So., Eufaula
Catcher: Charley
Clark, Fr., Calera
First base: Hannah
Rose Corbin, Fr., Jemison
Second base: Nicki Rodgers, Sr., Etowah
Third base: Destiny
Bailey, So., Jemison
Shortstop: Ashton
Clem, Jr., Moody
Outfield: Meg
Sullivan, Jr., Springville
Designated hitter:
Victoria Mitchell, Fr., Lincoln
Utility: Mehki
Mayfield, So., Helena; Madison Purvis, Jr., Corner
Class 4A
Pitcher of the Year:
Ashlee Swindle, Curry
Hitter of the Year: Jaycie
Walker, Headland
Player of the Year: Ashlee
Swindle, Curry
Coach of the Year: Philip
Smith, Curry
First team
Pitcher: Ashlee
Swindle, Jr., Curry; Annie Willis, So., Westminster Chr.; Faith Sims, Sr.,
Cordova; Reagan Watkins, Sr., LAMP
Catcher: Anna Blake
Lowe, Fr., Haleyville
First base: Haleigh
Lane, Sr., Curry;
Second base: Anna
Snider, Sr., White Plains
Third base: Kiara
Akles, So., Cleburne Co.
Shortstop: Haley
Barnette, Jr., Northside
Outfield: Jaycie Walker,
Jr., Headland; Tanner Crawford, Sr., West Blocton; Anna Kate Segars, Fr., East
Lawrence
Designated hitter:
Kaylee Horton, Jr., Curry; Elissa Brown, Jr., Elmore Co.
Utility: Abby
Norris, Sr., LAMP; Chloe Deerman, Fr., West Blocton
Second Team
Pitcher: Sally
Jordan, Jr., Clarke Co.; Savannah Stamps, Fr., Northside; Lauren Buchan, Jr.,
Headland; Savannah Bolton, Sr., Danville
Catcher: Destiny
Noble, Fr., Northside
First base: Hannah
Ingram, Jr., Cordova
Second base: Reagan
Malone, Jr., Northside
Third base: Lauren
Talton, Sr., Westminster Chr.
Shortstop: Alisa
Norton, Sr., Cleburne Co.
Outfield: Baylee
Gibbs, Sr., Oneonta; McKenzie Parker, Sr., Priceville; Christina Shamburger,
Jr., Thomasville
Designated hitter:
Josie McDonald, So., Good Hope; Amberlee Carter, Jr., Central-Florence
Utility: Haley
Thorpe, Fr., Holt; Michaelyn Foster, So., Montgomery Catholic
Honorable mention
Catcher: Anna Hood,
Fr., Locust Fork
First base: Haley
Britt, Sr., Elmore Co.
Second base:
Carleigh Taylor, Jr., Munford
Third base: Lindsey
Harris, So. Munford
Shortstop: Olivia
Aycock, Fr., Westminster Chr.
Outfield: Payten
Townsend, Sr., Haleyville
Designated hitter:
Carley Wood, So., White Plains
Utility: Kaylyn
Dismukes, 8th grade; Holtville; Chelsea Mowery, Sr., Childersburg
Class 3A
Pitcher of the Year:
Kamree Lay, Oakman
Hitter of the Year: Lillie
McCrary, Pisgah
Player of the Year: Lillie
McCrary, Pisgah
Coach of the Year: Lori
Wyatt, Hale Co.
First team
Pitcher: Anna Grace
Owens, Sr., Colbert Heights; Savanna Holmes, Fr., Hale Co,; Kamree Lay, So.,
Oakman; Ashley Keith, Sr., Pisgah
Catcher: Lillie
McCrary, Sr., Pisgah
First base: Avery
Nance, Fr., Geneva
Second base: Paxton
Nance, Jr., Pisgah
Third base: Harley
Stokes, So., Hale Co.
Shortstop: Dakota
Morrow, So., Hale Co.
Outfield: Brylie St.
Clair, 8th grade, Sand Rock; Torre Roberts, Jr., Piedmont;
Hannahstaysia Weaver, Jr., Pisgah
Designated hitter:
Jordan Kate Easterwood, Sr., Winfield; Brittany Wilbourn, Sr., Brindlee Mtn.
Utility: Sydney
Sanders, So., West Morgan; Scarlette Hester, Sr., Pisgah
Second team
Pitcher: Jessica Rathje, Sr., Glencoe; Baylee Mellott, Sr., Sheffield; Amy Woodham, So.,
Slocomb; Anna Harrelson, Sr., Opp
Catcher: Alaina Hampton, So., Glencoe
First base: McKinley
Parris, Fr., Pleasant Valley
Second base: Olivia
McCray, Fr., Hale Co.
Third base: BreAnna
Barlow, 8th grade, Excel
Shortstop: Brady
Barnett, Sr., Winfield
Outfield: Claire
West, 8th grade, Madison Aca.; Kinsey Brown, Jr., Beulah; Anna
Katherine Escoto, Jr., Dale Co.
Designated hitter:
Madison McCullough, Jr., Sand Rock; Maegan Walding, Jr., Dale Co.
Utility: Kaylee
Raines, So., Geneva; Lexie Coleman, Sr., Winfield
Honorable mention
Pitcher: Jessie
Butler, Sr., Lexington
Catcher: Casey
Eddings, Jr., Plainview; Katelyn Crawford, Fr., Madison Aca.
First base: Myra
Reiss, Fr., T.R. Miller
Second base: Ashley
Schultz, Jr., Prattville Chr.; Abby Hagler, Jr., Slocomb
Third base: Nicole
Hoots, Sr., Prattville Chr.
Shortstop: Lily
Womack, Sr., Pisgah; Anabelle Brown, So., Plainview
Outfield: K.K. White,
So., Lexington; Katelyn Hanson, Jr., Sand Rock
Designated hitter:
Anslie Pollard, Sr., Wicksburg
Utility: Hannah
Cummings, Fr., Sheffield
Class 2A
Pitcher of the Year:
Courtney Blevins, Ider
Hitter of the Year: Jenna
Ergle, Sumiton Chr.
Player of the Year: Jenna
Ergle, Sumiton Chr.
Coach of the Year: David
Hughes, Ider
First team
Pitcher: Claire
Boston, Sr., Hatton; Courtney Blevins, Sr., Ider; Abbi Gooch, Jr., Mars Hill;
Brittney Minor, Jr., Leroy
Catcher: Savannah
Hood, Fr., Ider
First base: Rilee
White, Jr., Cold Springs
Second base: Amberly
Camp, So., Mobile Chr.
Third base: Jenna
Ergle, So., Sumiton Chr.
Shortstop: Loghan
Cripple, Jr., G.W. Long
Outfield: Kendall
Beth Sides, So., Sumiton Chr.; Mackenzie Jr., Hughes, Ider; Sydney Smith, So.,
Leroy
Designated hitter:
Kendell Hamm, Sr., Sumiton Chr.; Jamie Roberts, Sr., Collinsville
Utility: Josie Page,
So., Washington Co.; Reaghan Turner, Sr., Mobile Chr.
Second team
Pitcher: Kynsley
Blasingame, So., Horseshoe Bend; Hannah Peters, So., Ariton; Ragen Yarbrough,
Jr., Addison
Catcher: Taylor
Payne, Sr., Cold Springs
First base: Kaitlyn
Vandiver, Jr., Tharptown
Second base: Lara
Little, So., Sweet Water
Third base: Brooklyn
Minor, Jr., Leroy
Shortstop: Emma
Latham, 8th grade, Hatton
Outfield: Carlee Colbert,
8th grade, Providence Chr.; Holly Murray, Jr., Sumiton Chr.; Kaylee
Bain, So., Tharptown
Designated hitter:
Aryelle Jones, So., Collinsville; Janie Posey, Fr., Houston Aca.
Utility: Lizzy
Galloway, Sr., Goshen; Harley Godwin, So., Fyffe
Honorable mention
Catcher: Darby
Samples, Sr., Gaston; Morgan Long, So.,
G.W. Long, So.
First base: Kati
Thomas, Jr., Goshen
Second base: Cassie
Pilcher, Jr., Providence Chr.
Third base: Savanah
Langston, So., Sumiton Chr.
Shortstop: Macy
Anderson, 8th grade, Fyffe; Lacy Stafford, Jr., Geneva Co.
Outfield: Carmen
Kelly, Jr., Goshen; Jordan Childers, So., G.W. Long
Designated hitter: Lilly
Barnett. So., Thorsby
Class 1A
Pitcher of the Year:
Leanna Johnson, Brantley
Hitter of the Year: Callie
Kay, Ragland
Player of the Year: Megan
Davidson, Athens Bible
Coach of the Year: Mike
Ratliff, Isabella
First Team
Pitcher: Katlyn
Childress, So., Billingsley; Leanna Johnson, Fr., Brantley; Megan Davidson,
Sr., Athens Bible; Hannah Cox, Sr., South Lamar
Catcher: Kassidy
Wilcox, 8th grade, Brantley
First base: Sydney
Bryan, Sr., Brantley
Second base: Jessica
Smart, Jr., Spring Garden
Third base: Callie
Kay, Jr., Ragland
Shortstop: Payton
McGinnis, 8th grade, Spring Garden
Outfield: Alex
Wilcox, So., Brantley; Callie Weeks, Sr., Kinston; Michelle Hawkins, Jr., South
Lamar
Designated hitter:
Abby Tindol, Fr., Billingsley; Mallorie Shaw, Sr., South Lamar
Utility: Chandler
Sparkman, So., Decatur Heritage; Karlie Milligan, Jr., Berry
Second team
Pitcher: Chelsea
Cox, Sr., Isabella; Kerstin Bryant, Fr., Spring Garden; Makenley Oliver, Fr.,
Ragland,
Catcher: Destinie
Grace, Jr., Cedar Bluff
First base: Kassidy
St John, Jr., Ragland
Second base: Mattie
Newman, Jr., South Lamar
Third base: Tori
Cleghorn, Jr., Kinston
Shortstop: Natalie Watkins,
Fr., South Lamar
Outfield: Anna
Elmore, Jr., Kinston; Lauren Marshall, Jr., Athens Bible; Madison Motley, Fr.,
Billingsley
Designated hitter:
Emma Jarrett, 8th grade, Athens Bible; Jessica Hermeling, Sr.,
Brantley
Utility: Ariel
Cleckler, Sr., Billingsley; Lexi Blanton, Jr., Berry
Honorable mention
Catcher: Brianna Cagle, So., Decatur Heritage; Cyana Quimby,
Fr., Maplesville
Third base: Payton Fr., Traffanstedt, Spring Garden; Anna
Asbury, Jr., Billingsley
Shortstop: Taylor Jones, Jr., Berry