OA News All-Area softball 2009…Git ya some!!!

By David Morrison
High School Sports Reporter
Published: June 15, 2009

     

Central’s Erin Tyson, Glenwood’s Ollivia McLemore, Beauregard’s Peyton DeLong and Glenwood coach Dusty Perdue comprise that stunning tableau at the top of the entry.

They are the grand-prize winners in this year’s OA News postseason softball awards.

Tyson and McLemore are sharing Pitcher of the Year honors. Read more about them here.

DeLong is the Hitter of the Year. Read more about her here.

And Perdue is Coach of the Year. Read more about him right about         here. 

Before I dive into the All-Area honorees, let me first say a little about my selection process.

I used the ASWA position criteria, which was: one each at C, 1B, 2B, 3B and SS, three outfielders, four pitchers, two utility players and two DHs.

Then I saw a couple of players that were falling through the cracks that deserved to be on the team, so I created two flex positions. That’s 18 in all on the first team.

And here they are (see them in probably better formatting here):

* Kelbi Burgering, Sr., OF, Lee-Scott (AISA): 1st-team All-State, hit .419 with 18 steals.

* Jana Cooper, Sr., P, Beauregard (5A): 12-10 with a 0.83 ERA, 128 strikeouts and three no-hitters.

* Peyton DeLong, Soph., 2B, Beauregard (5A): 1st-team All-State, OA News Hitter of the Year, hit .551 with 36 RBI.

* Kimberlyn Gillock, Jr., OF, Opelika (6A): Hit .364 with 26 steals and 24 RBI.

* Amy Goodson, Jr., OF, Beauregard (5A): Honorable mention All-State, hit .421 with two home runs and eight doubles.

* Janelle Green, Sr., 3B, Auburn (6A): 1st-team All-State, hit .465 with five home runs and 31 RBI.

* Leslie Kelly, Jr., C, Glenwood (AISA): 1st-team All-State, hit .482 with seven home runs, 17 doubles and 28 RBI.

* Ollivia McLemore, Soph., P/Utility, Glenwood (AISA): 1st-team All-State, OA News Co-Pitcher of the Year, went 18-2 with a 0.88 ERA and 165 strikeouts in 127 innings.

* Bree Nowlin, Jr., SS, Glenwood (AISA): 1st-team All-State, hit .401 with five home runs, 16 doubles and 21 RBI.

* Kristen O’Neal, Sr., C, Opelika (6A): Hit .357 with four home runs, 36 RBI and 21 steals.

* Callie Rawlinson, Sr., 3B, Lee-Scott (AISA): Honorable mention All-State, hit .321 with 26 steals and a .400 OBP.

* Dani Russ, Jr., 1B, Central (6A): Hit .321 with five home runs, 30 RBI and a .426 OBP.

* Victoria Smith, Jr., P/1B, Glenwood (AISA): Went 15-6 with a 1.39 ERA and a no-hitter.

* Baylee Stephens, Sr., SS, Opelika (6A): Hit .316 with three home runs, 22 RBI and 13 steals.

* Erin Tyson, Jr., P, Central (6A): Honorable mention All-State, OA News Co-Pitcher of the Year, went 20-6 with a 0.43 ERA.

* Jessie Washington,Sr., P/2B, Lee-Scott (AISA): Honorable mention All-State, went 13-7 with a 1.37 ERA and hit .442.

* Andrea White, Soph., C, Dadeville (3A): Hit .383 with two home runs, 40 RBI and a .500 OBP.

* Rae Williams, P, 8th, Dadeville (3A): Went 12-6 with 130 strikeouts in 103 1/3 innings and two no-hitters.

Yes, you read that “8th” right next to Williams’ name. She’s going to be a good’n for years to come.

Even with my hemming and hawing and adding of people to the team, there were still some that I wished I could have put on it that would have sent the first team into the absurdity of the 20 range. Here are my top three near misses:

* Robin Dunaway, Fr., P/IF, Beauregard (5A): Went 8-6 with a 1.27 ERA and 104 strikeouts in 83 innings. Also hit .294.
* Reba Hawkins, So., OF, Dadeville (3A): Hit .359 with 43 runs, 27 steals in 29 attempts and a .490 OBP.
* Britt Wilkerson, Sr., 3B, Glenwood (AISA): Honorable mention All-State, hit .311 with three home runs, MVP of state tournament.

So I hope that sheds some light on the world of intrigue and espionage that is the all-area softball selection process.

Much thanks to the coaches for making themselves and their players available during the photo process, and BIG thanks to Vasha Hunt and Cliff Williams for taking such good visuals.

I want to leave you with a quote from McLemore that hit the cutting room floor.

This, folks, is a competitor:

“When I step in the circle, I’m not going to say to myself, ‘You can’t do this.‘ I look at the pitcher I’m pitching against and say I’m better than her, I’m better than any pitcher in the world. Just pump myself up like that. I can’t stand being all mopey and stuff. Because then the coaches yell and cuss at you.“

Stay tuned for the baseball team tomorrow. Gird your loins…