Hartselle players dominate all-area team

By By Todd Thompson, Hartselle Enquirer
Hartselle’s softball team came up short in a quest for a state championship, but Breanna Riley and Meaghan Gray proved to be one of the top pitcher combinations in the state this season.
Both players won 19 games. Riley had an ERA of 1.22, while Gray posted an ERA of 2.00.
The pitching duo tops the 2009 Hartselle Enquirer All-Area Softball team after leading the Lady Tigers back to the state tournament this spring.
Together, the pair were almost unstoppable this season. Opponents hit just .153 against Riley, who now has 537 career strikeouts. Gray limited hitters to a .200 batting average.
Teammate Audrey McClanahan was chosen as the offensive player of the year, while first-year head coach Daniel Bates was the area’s top coach.
McClanahan hit .349 this season with 60 hits and 20 RBIs. She also finished the season with 32 stolen bases.
Bates, who served as an assistant under Shane Alexander for several years, led Hartselle to the state tournament at Lagoon Park in Montgomery in his first season at the helm of the Lady Tigers’ program.
Also earning all-area honors from Hartselle are infielders Ashley Bonner, Michel Fields and Anna Hall, outfielder Chandler Orr and catcher Sara Lang.
Priceville had four players named to the all-area team, including pitcher Meaghan Bond and designated hitter Katelyn St. John. The Lady Bulldogs’ Danielle Richard and Taylor Holt were named to the team as infielders.
Falkville had its best season ever since moving to fast-pitch softball and senior pitcher Katie Annerton was one of five Lady Blue Devils to earn all-area honors.
Also representing Falkville was utility player Jessie Thompson, outfielder Megan Hill, catcher Sarah Goodman and infielder Paige Mayer.
Danville infielder Sarah Terry and utility player Kirby Wallace also earned all-area honors this season.