Twelve from Wiregrass receive all-state honors

The Wiregrass’ all-state softball honorees featured a pitching flavor this year.

Twelve area players were named all-state in voting by statewide members of the Alabama Sports Writers Association, including five as pitchers.

Two others who pitched also earned all-state in the utility role, which incorporates players who excel at more than one position.
The pitchers earning all-state were Eufaula’s India Kornegay in Class 5A, Straughn’s Kaitlynn Wiggins in Class 3A, Elba’s Lindsey Carnley in Class 2A,
Kinston’s Sara Mock in Class 1A and Ashford Academy’s DesaRae Bridges in the AISA ranks.

Northview’s Mollie Hanson and Slocomb’s Lacey Williams, pitchers who also excelled in the infield and at the plate, earned all-state at utility in Class 6A and Class 3A, respectively.

All but Bridges will be back next year as four are sophomores and two are juniors.

Five other local standouts earned all-state, including Rehobeth slugger Courtney Cherry, the Dothan Eagle Player of the Year, in Class 5A.
Also earning all-state were Slocomb’s Cassidy Littlefield and Abbeville’s Keya Wiggins in Class 3A and Lakeside’s Merritt Waddell and Ashford Academy’s
Jordan Watson in AISA.

In addition to the 12 all-state selections, 24 area players were selected honorable mention all-state.

Eufaula’s Kornegay, a junior, finished the year 13-8 with two saves and an 0.87 earned run average. She also had 287 strikeouts in 161 1/3 innings, including a
state record 37 for a game. She also had four no-hitters on the year.

Straughn’s Wiggins, a sophomore, helped the Tigers to the state finals with an 18-5 record, two saves and a 0.66 ERA. She had 219 strikeouts in 160 innings.

Elba’s Carnley, a sophomore, was only 11-11, but she had a 0.54 ERA (12 earned runs in 155 innings) and struck out 236.

Kinston’s Mock, a sophomore, was 14-11 with a 1.49 ERA and a Wiregrass-high 289 strikeouts in 169 1/3 innings. Her efforts helped the Bulldogs to the state
tournament.

Northview’s Hanson, a sophomore, was 16-4 with two saves and a 0.66 ERA, striking out 174 and walking only nine in 127 1/3 innings. At the plate, she hit .
420 with 39 runs scored and 17 RBIs. She helped the Cougars to a third-place finish in the state.

Slocomb’s Williams, a junior, was 14-1 with one save and a 1.87 ERA. She struck out 68 and allowed only 13 extra-base hits in 101 innings. Offensively, she
hit .418 with 44 RBIs and 17 doubles.

Rehobeth’s Cherry and Slocomb’s Littlefield were among the top offensive players in the Wiregrass.

Cherry, a shortstop and Troy University signee, hit .426 with a Wiregrass-best eight homers, including three late game-tying or go-ahead homers. She drove in
29 runs, scored 39 times and had 26 steals and 17 doubles. She was also walked 21 times.

Littlefield, a sophomore shortstop / third baseman, hit .545 with four homers,  eight triples, 29 RBIs, 68 runs scored and 41 steals. The average, triples and
runs scored were Wiregrass bests.

Abbeville’s Wiggins, a freshman, ignited the Yellow Jacket attack, hitting .515 with five homers, 43 runs batted in, 45 runs scored, 23 doubles, seven triples
and 15 steals.

Waddell, sophomore second baseman, helped led Lakeside to the Class AA state title. She led the Lady Chiefs in hitting (.422), on-base percentage (.480),
runs (44) and stolen bases (22). She also hit two homers, eight doubles and two triples in 28 games and was considered the team’s top defensive player.

Ashford Academy’s Watson, a freshman outfielder, was the Lady Falcons’ top offensive weapon. She hit .457 with 30 RBIs, 40 runs, 12 doubles, three triples
and 18 stolen bases.

Leading the list of honorable mention selections were Dothan teammates Kacie McAllister and Natalie Walker, Enterprise freshman pitching sensation Jostlyn
Higgerson and four players from powerhouse Rehobeth — Spencer Adkinson, Jordyn Taylor, Shea Williams and Ariel Shaw.

Also selected honorable mention were Straughn’s Stephanie Bracewell, Wicksburg’s Arica Dykes and Abbeville’s Raven Grubbs in Class 3A; Goshen’s Alli Warrick and Rachel Senn, G.W. Long’s Margaret Jackson and Cottonwood’s Jacie Habron in Class 2A.

Earning honorable mention in Class 1A were Ariton’s Haley Goodson and Colbie Reeder, Kinston’s Tasha Jones and Amanda Crohn and Pleasant Home’s
Emily Byrd, Kati Reeves and Gina Davis.

Lakeside’s Samantha Crouch and Catherine Spivey along with Abbeville Christian’s Allison Flowers made honorable mention in AISA.