Taylor Wascavage returns to the plate after a talk with her pitcher during a game against West Point. | Brent Maze

Jada Hayes and Taylor Wascavage have been selected to compete in the AHSAA All-Star Week July 22 in Montgomery.

Hayes and Wascavage helped lead the team to the 5A State Championship title last season, and both rising seniors have verbally committed to play softball at the University of Alabama in Huntsville.

Wascavage played catcher and shortstop for Hartselle and was named to the ASWA 5A All-State team as a catcher last month. She also led Hartselle at the plate with an impressive 15 homeruns and a .439 batting average last season.

Hayes pitched for the Tigers and played shortstop. She was named to the 5A All-State team and the Super All-State team as a pitcher, and she earned the titles of 5A Pitcher of the Year and 5A Player of the Year. She finished the 2013 season with 11 shutouts and an ERA of 1.59.

Since school let out, Hayes has been playing with Craze 96, a local travel team, and trying to stay ready for the All-Star game. She said she is excited to participate in her first All-Star Week.

“I’ve never been before, but I think All-Star Week is going to be fun,” Hayes said. “There’s going to be some good competition and hopefully I can get to know some of the other players from around here.”

Hayes also said she is not very nervous about her future college career, but there are a few things she has to remember.

“I’ve been balancing school and softball for years, so I think it should be pretty much the same after I’m at UAH,” Hayes said. “I have to keep pushing through to get work done even when I’m tired after practice. I also need to work on my batting a little more this season.”

Wascavage also feels that balancing college and softball will be a lot like the past few years.

“Between softball and school, I have some pretty late nights, but keeping up with classes is just something you have to do,” Wascavage said. “I think making the college transition will be easier as long as I still get to be with Jada and have someone there I know.”

Wascavage said she has grown to have a special bond with Hayes after years of playing softball together.

“We really seem to have a stronger bond since we won the state championship together,” Wascavage said. “I would say she is one of my best friends, and I look forward to going to college together.”

Hayes and Wascavage both still have one more year at Hartselle before starting their college softball careers. This year will allow them to prove they can be all-around successful players and not just one-time lucky winners. Head Coach Christy Ferguson said she is sure both players will feel the pressure to perform again.

“Hartselle sets high standards for its players, but Taylor and Jada set high standards for themselves as well,” Ferguson said. “I know they will want to prove themselves to show that they can be successful again. The other coaches and I don’t want them to feel overlypressured, but they are hard workers and they will have leadership roles on the field and in the dugout.”

Ferguson has a lot of respect for Hayes, Wascavage and the rest of the 2013 team and their accomplishments.

“They all work hard to accomplish what they have,” Ferguson said. “Taylor, Jada and others play year-round softball and know what it takes to be successful. They have led by their example, and their leadership roles will develop even more during their senior season. They brought the exact combination we need to be successful last season, and being the competitors they are, they know what it takes to win.”

Jada Hayes pitches in a game during the State Tournament. | Brent Maze

Taylor Wascavage gives Head Coach Christy Ferguson a high five after a homerun. | Brent Maze