With a team that consisted of all underclassmen, the Mount Pleasant Lady Tiger softball team made a strong showing in the district race this season and laid the foundation for an even better push next year. The Lady Tigers finished in 4th place in District 15-5A with a 7-6 record and went 18-11 overall fielding a roster made up of one freshman, seven sophomores, and four juniors. The All-District teams were released last week and were evidence of the talent Mount Pleasant placed on the diamond notching two superlatives along with one first teamer and four second teamers.

Sophomore centerfielder Ella Cross was named Co-Offensive Player of the Year and earned Academic All-District. Cross led the Lady Tigers in multiple offensive categories including a .475/.518/.614 slash line with 48 hits, 27 stolen bases, and 38 runs scored. Sophomore pitcher and shortstop Conlee Zachry also brought home a superlative winning the Utility Player of the Year outright as well as Academic All-District. Zachry was second on the team in hitting at .363/.423/.637 and was tied for the team lead in home runs with three dingers. Pitching in 17 games with 12 starts, she posted an 8-5 record including 59 strikeouts in 77 innings along with a 3.26 ERA.

The Lady Tigers’ lone 1st team selection went to sophomore shortstop and pitcher Jordan Batchelor. Batchelor made her Lady Tiger debut with a splash batting .378/.415./.512 finishing second on the team in doubles and third in RBI. On the mound she started 12 games for Mount Pleasant posting a 7-4 record with 66 strikeouts in 60 innings and a 2.67 ERA.

Several Lady Tigers garnered 2nd Team selections which included sophomore third baseman Amariya Miller, junior outfielder Paris Beard, freshman outfielder Kelsey Howard, and sophomore first baseman and pitcher Casey Jones. Miller earned second team infield honors finishing second on the team in RBI with a .287 batting average. Beard anchored the outfield while finishing fourth on the team with a .342 average at the dish and qualified for Academic All-District. In her rookie campaign, Howard batted .315 and earned Academic All-District honors. Jones led the Lady Tigers in putouts with 133 and batted an even. 300 at the plate with 17 RBI to go along with a 3-2 record on the bump.

Honorable Mention was awarded to junior second baseman Jordyn Hargrave, sophomore outfielder Kaylee Silman, and sophomore catcher Morgan Hill. Hargrave knocked in 14 RBI for the Lady Tigers and posted an .895 fielding percentage while also earning Academic All-District. Silman was solid at the plate with a .294 batting average including 14 runs scored. Hill batted .299 and was second on the team in putouts with 129 and also earned Academic All-District.

Junior catcher Jenna Cook earned Academic All-District honors along with junior outfielder Kylie Humber.

By Drew Barkley