This was the year of youth for many of the softball teams in the Greater Valley Area. Many underclassmen were pushed into starting roles on their school’s varsity teams and stepped up to the challenge. Schools like Beulah High School, Chambers Academy and Springwood School were able to win games in postseason play, and the local programs should only trend up in the near future as student-athletes gain more experience. 

Coach of the Year: Stan Pepper, Beulah

Pepper reentered the softball world this season to lead the Bobcats to a 22-8 record and an area championship. He coached a group whose corps consisted of eighth-graders, freshman and less than a handful of upperclassmen.

Player of the Year: Faith Graben, Valley

Graben was the leader of the Rams this past season. The junior outfielder finished the season with a .879 fielding percentage, a .422 batting average, .461 on-base percentage and a .651 slugging percentage. The upperclassman took the young Rams under her wing in 2019.

Pitchers:

Emma Jennings, Springwood School

Jennings threw 196 strikeouts and held a .858 fielding percentage throughout the season. On the hill, she collected one save and won four games. A Southern Union commit, Jennings won the Wildcats’ offensive award this season with a .408 on-base percentage, a .539 slugging percentage, five home runs and a .363 batting average.

Chloe Mitcham, Chambers Academy

Mitcham struck out 138 batters this past season for the Rebels.

KK Green, Valley High School

Green threw 58 strikeouts and finished the season with a 4.846 ERA as the ace for the Rams in 2019.

Mackenzie Finley, LaFayette School

The eighth-grader Makenzie Finley was the Bulldogs’ ace this past season.

Fielders:

Allie Davis, Springwood School

The senior catcher led the Wildcats with a .367 batting average. On defense, Davis threw out 16 out of 24 base runners. The Point University-signee won Springwoods’ Most Outstanding Player award for the last two seasons.

Katie Morris, Beulah High School

The freshman star for the Bobcats was one of the team’s top pitchers as well as hitters this past season. She finished the season with a .458 batting average and five home runs.

McKayla Barber, Springwood School

The junior finished the season with a .315 batting average, a home run and a .743%. Springwood School head softball coach Galen Smith said that Barber was the “spiritual leader” of the team.

Jasmine Bonilla, Beulah High School

The senior catcher carried a .424 batting average this past season for the Bobcats. Bonilla reached base in a pivotal moment of the area championship game during Beulah’s comeback in the contest.

Brandy Phillips, Beulah High School

The eighth-grade shortstop finished the season with a .473 batting average. Phillips and fellow eighth-grader Savanna Clements hit third and fourth in the batting lineup, and complement one another well, Pepper’s previously said.

Gracie Landis, Valley High School

The senior had a .268 batting average, a .430 on-base percentage and a .296 slugging percentage this season for the Rams. Defensively, she had a .854 fielding percentage. Last fall, Landis signed to continue her playing career at Chattahoochee Valley Community College.

Megan Ware, Chambers Academy

Ware was the Rebels leading hitter this season with a .360 batting average.

Olivia Williams, Chambers Academy

Williams was selected to play in the AISA All-Star game.

Honorable mention:

Madison Bryant, Beulah High School

Tijah Presley, LaFayette High School

Bailey Morrison, Springwood School

Savanna Clements, Beulah High School

Shelby Owsley, Beulah High School

Maegan Green, Valley High School

Pacey Duck, Valley High School

Shykecia Ray, LaFayette High School

Tate Reese, Chambers Academy

Ladexia Landers, LaFayette High School

Tijah Presley, LaFayette High School

Ashanti Phillips, LaFayette High School

Nadia Heard, LaFayette High School