Gibson, Howell take top softball awards in Region 6-AAAA
Region 6-AAA released its All-region teams last Tuesday and region champion Heritage and region runnerup Lafayette were both very well-represented.
Heritage junior pitcher Rachel Gibson was named the Region Pitcher of the Year. Gibson also won the award as a sophomore and shared the honor as a freshman.
The right-handed fireballer started 19-4 for the Generals this season as they headed into the Elite Eight in Columbus. She had thrown 134.2 innings with 254 strikeouts against just 27 walks. She had allowed just 20 earned runs all season long for an ERA of 1.04 and hitters were also batting just .129 against Gibson this season.
Region Player of the Year honors went to Lafayette senior outfielder Marquila Howell. It is her first time winning the award.
After batting a robust .456 a year ago, Howell has been on fire for the Lady Ramblers all season long. She had compiled a batting average of .550 going into Columbus (.571 in region play) with a pair of doubles, eight triples, one homerun and 11 RBIS. Lafayette’s leadoff hitter had scored 39 runs and stolen 15 bases, while enjoying an incredible on-base percentage of .581 .
Madeline Stone, Bailey Christol, Carmen Gayler, Riley Kokinda and Zoe Wright were named to the first team for Heritage with Lexi Duckett picking up a second-team nod.
Lafayette was represented on the first team by Nicky Yancy, Madi Ashley, Madison Pettigrew, Railee Lynn and Sam Adkins with Carlee Corbin earning second-team honors and Haynie Gilstrap picking up honorable mention honors.
For Ridgeland, Vanessa Hart and Maggie Dickson were voted in as second team selections.
The rest of the region’s first team included Shaylen Sutton, Molly Middleton, Torrey Cummings and Peyton Tudor of Northwest Whitfield, Charlie Hulsey and Sarah Morris of Pickens, Macy Hamby of Gilmer and Maliyah Williams of Southeast Whitfield.