Walker Valley’s Sidney Hooper, No. 38, stretches for a catch against a Grace Academy hitter during the first inning at Grace Academy on Tuesday, May 1, 2012.Walker Valley senior Sidney Hooper has committed to play softball at Austin Peay State University in Clarksville, Tenn.
Hooper, an all-state selection, helped Walker Valley (25-11) to a District 5-AAA runner-up finish to eventual state champion Soddy-Daisy and a berth in the Region 3 tournament last spring. She batted .423 with 15 of her 31 career doubles.
In three years she’s totaled seven home runs, eight triples, 77 RBIs and scored 87 runs. As a pitcher she has a 46-24 record and 1.42 ERA in 439 innings pitched with 390 strikeouts.
“I think it’s a great decision,” Walker Valley coach Lauren Limburg said. “Austin Peay is lucky to have her. She’s a hard worker and a team player. I think she’ll excel there. She’s always wanting to improve. For a person that’s that talented to want to improve really says something about them.
“She’s a great example for our younger girls to follow. She brings that to the team, and I know she will at Austin Peay as well.”