Fast-pitch phenoms : All-State players, unsung heroes highlight Times’ 2008 All-County softball team
Posted on Thursday, June 12, 2008
Six of the 12 players selected to the 2008 Northwest Arkansas Times'All-County softball team played for Fayetteville in a losing effort in the 7 A state championship game, but their contributions in the regular season and postseason set records, opened eyes in the softball community, and garnered several accolades.
The Elkins Lady Elks, meanwhile, made school history with a second straight state championship and are also well-represented on the list for a second consecutive year. In one of the strongest years for softball in the state, 10 players in Washington County were named to their coinciding classification's All-State team.
Twelve players are recognized in the Times'list, highlighted by seven infielders and all 10 All-State selections. As Fayetteville head coach Jason Shirey said of the collection of softball talent in Northwest Arkansas," You could have a heck of a local All-Star team."
INFIELDERS Carly Powers, second baseman, Elkins: The senior came up big when her teammates needed her most. After moving from first base to second last season, she came into her own defensively and also propelled the Lady Elks in the state championship game with a two-run double in a 5-1 win over Bismarck. She was an All-State selection this year in Class 3 A. "She's strong offensively and defensively," Elkins head coach Paula Wheeler said. "She gave up very few errors and helped lead us on and off the field. She kept us going before and after the games."
Hannah Powers, catcher, Elkins: The senior twin of Carly showed a lot of control behind the plate for the Lady Elks, handling all pitching calls with little input from Wheeler. She was also named to the All-State team. "Hannah brings a calmness to the team," Wheeler said. "... She also does a great job on the bases stealing and getting to home plate when batting."
Jessika Booher, third baseman, Fayetteville: The sophomore came up big when it mattered most for the Lady Bulldogs. Whether it was offensively or defensively, Booher always had a say in the outcome of a game.
Her biggest highlight came in the 7 A-West regular season finale against Van Buren. While her teammates struggled, she found success, clinching a 4-2 win in extra innings with a 4-for-4 performance at the plate with two doubles, two runs and an RBI.
"She's the unsung hero of our team," Shirey said. "She does the dirty work and she's solid defensively. She played practically every game as a freshman and she improved a lot this year. She doesn't play like a sophomore."
Katie Petrino, second baseman, Fayetteville: The sophomore transfer started the season strong and at one time pitched a perfect game and hit a home run in the same day, but her defense and speed on the basepaths really propelled the Lady Bulldogs.
Petrino scored 32 runs, had 3 home runs and also compiled a 5-1 record as a pitcher. She reached base twice against North Little Rock in the 7 A state championship game by drawing two walks. She also stole two bases to give Fayetteville its lone baserunner to reach third in the no-hitter loss.
"She made us so much better," Shirey said. "The other thing you've got to like about Katie is that she's athletic and can hit on both sides. For us, putting her in the second slot in the lineup, it put more pressure on the infield. She probably had the best state tournament out of anyone on our team in terms of production."
Lindsey Davison, catcher Fayetteville: One of the few freshman catchers in the state, Davison rarely allowed a ball to go by her despite catching for one of the strongest, fastest pitchers in the state.
An All-State selection, she led the team in home runs (9 ) and held a. 533 on-base percentage. She was also third on the team in RBIs with 28 while batting. 389.
Lacey Kragel, third baseman, Farmington: Second on the Lady Cardinals squad in batting average (. 422 ) and first in home runs (7 ), she also showed speed on the basepaths by stealing 17 bases on 18 attempts. She finished the year with a. 604 on-base percentage and an All-State selection.
"She was consistent throughout the year, " Farmington head coach Randy Osnes said. "She played like an All-State player from Game 1 to Game 32."
Kragel was the Lady Cardinals' lone bright spot in their first-round loss to DeWitt in the state tournament. She went 3-for-4 at the plate in the 6-3 loss. Samantha Luther, shortstop, Far mington: The junior All-State selection led the Lady Cardinals with a. 440 batting average and an on-base percentage of. 678. Playing one of the most difficult positions in the infield, she committed just 10 errors in 32 games. She also hit 5 home runs. OUTFIELDERS Morgan Keller, right field, Fayetteville: The senior played four positions for the Lady Bulldogs, had a careerhigh in home runs (5 ) this season and set four school career records. An All-State selection, Keller holds school records in a career in doubles (41 ) hits (161 ), singles (10 ) and RBIs (10 ). She had a teamhigh batting average of. 476 and led the Lady Bulldogs in RBIs this season with 33. "She drove in runs and she's done the same things she's done for four years," Shirey said. "You can't replace her leadership and the production. It was just another solid year from her. "Lauren Caldwell, center field, Fayetteville: The junior leadoff hitter had more plate appearances than any of her teammates, and capitalized by getting on base with a. 465 batting average. She scored a team-high 36 runs and also led the team with 12 doubles onward to an All-State selection. She hit five home runs in the team's record-breaking year for homers (35 ). "It was a great year numbers-wise and she improved defensively," Shirey said. "She had a tremendous year under a lot of pressure. "Caldwell was named the Times' City Athlete of the Year for 2007. PITCHERS Amanda Summerford, Fayetteville: One of the best pitchers in the state, Summerford, a junior, struck out a school-record 258 batters in ™ 2 / 3 innings and finished the season with a gaudy 0. 35 ERA. She allowed 9 earned runs and teams had a. 124 batting average against the right-hander. Summerford also holds the school's record for strikeouts in a career with 535.
"It's hard to come up with adjectives to describe her," Shirey said. "She brings such a confidence to our team when she's out there and, at the same time, I think it demoralizes the other team. She's one of the best in the state."
Amber Caywood, Elkins: Name the honor and this senior pitcher probably has it. Caywood's exploits in the circle were remarkable in her four-year career at Elkins. And this year was her best as she struck out 229 batters onward to a 28-2 record in the circle.
Caywood finished the season with six perfect games and a 79-21 record in her career to go along with three state championship appearances in four years. She was named the 3 A State Tournament MVP and garnered a selection to the 3 A All-State team. The four-year starter was also named the Times'County Female Athlete of the Year last year.
"She was a great team leader," Wheeler said. "She brought a lot of leadership to the field just through her pitching. The girls were always confident when she was on the field."
Skyler Smith, Farmington: Although she finished with seven losses, the junior makes the list for confusing and blowing past batters with her pitch selection and power onward to a 2. 04 ERA and 155 strikeouts in 151 innings. In limited time at the plate, she went 8-for-21 with 1 home run and 8 RBIs. She was also named an All-State selection.
"She picked up every honor a pitcher could pick up within our league and I'm very proud of the effort she gave on a day-to-day basis," Osnes said. "She's a true competitor."
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