Sunday, April 24, 2011
HOLLI BROOKS
Heading into her senior year, the two-sport Gordon Lee star was set on continuing her athletic career on the basketball court in college. However, after batting a team-best .476 with 41 RBIs in leading the Lady Trojans to a perfect season and Class A title, Brooks has had to rethink her future. "I was pretty sure this was it for softball, but this year has made me love the sport all over again," the left fielder said. "This team was so close that it's really sad to have to leave them. We all love the sport and we showed up every day to play softball and play together. There was no drama within the team." There was, however, plenty of it on the field as the team became the first in state history to go undefeated. It's a memory Brooks will long cherish, regardless of where her future
lies. "I can't think of a better way to go out," she said.
Dana Mull
When she was finally able to step back and let the accomplishment sink in, the eighth-year Gordon Lee head coach was able to put her team's 38-0 championship season in perspective. A very simple formula carried the Lady Trojans to such heights. "It's so special for this team to not have to experience defeat," Mull said. "It was a great group of girls to work with, and they did hate to lose. It's the hardest working talented group I've had, and when you combine that natural talent with hard work, it's an unbeatable combination." The Lady Trojans hit well over .400 as a team, and top pitchers Brenna Nation and Kalei Kimbrell had a combined ERA under 0.70. The bad news for the rest of the state is that both will be back in 2011, along with six other regulars.
Emily Boyd
NORTHWEST WHITFIELD
Sophomore pitcher
Last season's player of the year had 18 wins, an ERA of 0.48 and 156 strikeouts in 132 innings.
Maddie Bray
LAKEVIEW-FORT OGLETHORPE
Senior pitcher/utility
The Shorter signee had 14 wins, a 0.80 ERA, a .474 batting average, two homers, 17 doubles and 40 RBIs.
Elizabeth Burton
DADE COUNTY
Junior infielder
She paced the Lady Wolverines with a .543 average and added eight triples and 18 stolen bases.
Ericka Bynum
RINGGOLD
Sophomore infielder
She led the Lady Tigers to Columbus with a .450 average, five homers, 11 doubles, three triples and 35 RBIs.
Kierra Coln
RIDGELAND
Senior outfielder
The speedy left fielder batted .456 and led the area with 54 stolen bases, second most in GHSA history.
Brandy Goldsmith
HERITAGE
Junior infielder
The two-time all-star led the Generals with a .505 average, 40 runs and 33 RBIs and added 13 stolen bases.
Courtnee Hall
RIDGELAND
Senior catcher
She capped a stellar career with a .548 average, four homers, 28 RBIs and only four stolen bases allowed.
Brenna Nation
GORDON LEE
Junior pitcher
She finished a state title season with a 23-0 record, a 0.62 ERA and 195 strikeouts in 144 innings.
Sam Taylor
GORDON LEE
Junior infielder
She ignited a recordsetting offense with a .441 batting average, 52 hits, eight triples and 25 RBIs.
Adrian Thornton
RINGGOLD
Junior outfielder
The leadoff hitter topped the Lady Tigers with a .509 average, 35 runs scored and 32 stolen bases.
Monica Vickery
LAKEVIEW-FORT OGLETHORPE
Senior pitcher
The Kennesaw State signee was 18-0 with a 0.75 ERA, 178 strikeouts and only 56 hits allowed.
Marissa Patterson
HERITAGE
Senior pitcher
The workhorse recorded 20 wins, including six no-hitters and two perfect games, and 178 strikeouts.
KELSIE BYRD LaFayette Senior Infielder
COURTNEY CRAWFORD Lakeview-F.O. Soph. Outfielder
ALLIE HILLIS Heritage Junior Infielder
KENDALL JOHNSON Gordon Lee Junior Infielder
KALEI KIMBRELL Gordon Lee Soph. Pitcher
HALEIGH MCBRYAR Dade County Junior Pitcher
DANIELLE PHILLIPS Calhoun Junior Infielder
ANNA QUINN Gordon Lee Senior Outfielder
SHELBY ROBERTSON Lakeview-F.O. Senior Infielder
AMY SHAMPO NW Whitfield Junior Outfielder
KENSEY SHOLL Ringgold Junior Pitcher
KRISTIN WEST Heritage Soph. Catcher
1 GORDON LEE (38-0)
The Lady Trojans are the state's first undefeated fastpitch champions.
2 RINGGOLD (22-16)
The Lady Tigers, who lose just one senior, got hot late in the season to earn a trip to the Class AAA Elite Eight in Columbus.
3 LFO (32-3)
The Lady Warriors roared through an unbeaten schedule in tough Region 7-AA before being upset in the Class AA second round by Greater Atlanta Christian.
Photos by Jake Daniels. Text by Lindsey Young. Layout by Stacey Wysong.