By By Todd Thompson, Hartselle Enquirer
Hartselle’s run to its first state softball championship was stopped cold by Mortimer Jordan, but the Lady Tigers’ successful season is still reaping plenty of individual awards.
Eight starters, including pitcher of the year Breanna Riley and offensive player of the year Kristy Pevahouse, earned spots on the Hartselle Enquirer’s 2008 All-Area Softball team.
Joining the Hartselle-dominated lineup is head coach Shane Alexander, who helped guide the young team to the Class 5A state championship game this season.
The good news is that Riley, one of the state’s top pitchers will be back next season as a sophomore. The bad news is that Pevahouse and Alexander won’t be back in uniform next spring.
Pevahouse has graduated, while Alexander resigned after the season to spend more time with his family.
Pevahouse, a Calhoun Community College signee, was a potent force for the Lady Tigers at the plate and in the outfield. She finished her final season with a .412 average with nine homers and 46 RBIs.
Her impact was immeasurable. The senior led the Lady Tigers in six different offensive categories this year.
While Pevahouse was leading Hartselle’s offense, Riley was shutting down opponents. The freshman went 24-11 this season with 334 strikeouts. She finished with a 1.76 ERA after posting 11 shutouts for the Lady Tigers.
But Alexander won’t be around to coach his standout pitcher. He told his team following the state tournament loss to Mortimer Jordan that he was giving up the head coaching position at Hartselle.
Hartselle finished 40-19 this season under Alexander, his sixth year as head coach
The Hartselle trio are joined on the all-area team by infielders Sara Lang (.345, seven homers), Audrey McClanahan (.405, 17 doubles, six homers) and Anna Hall (52 hits, 42 runs and 15 stolen bases); outfielder Hayden Watts (46 hits), pitcher Meaghan Gray (14-8, 2.77 ERA), and catcher Chandler Orr (four homers, 35 RBIs).
Also earning all-area honors in the infield were Priceville’s Danielle Richards (.427 batting average) and Danville’s Kelsey Bell (.407 with 29 RBIs and six homers) and Mallory George (.433 with 32 singles and 30 RBIs).
Also representing Danville on the all-area team was outfielders Nicole Linderman and Brianna Callahan.
Falkville’s lone representative on the all-area team is catcher Sarah Goodman, who hit .366 while catching every game for the Lady Devils as an eighth grader. She had an on-base percentage of .566.
Priceville had four players earn first-team all-area honors - pitcher Megan Bond, outfielder Sumer Boyd, infielder Danielle Richards and utility player Jessica Hopper.
Brewer’s McKinsey Stump earned a spot on the team as a designated hitter after being one of the Lady Patriots’ top offensive producers.