Jun. 7—Hitting a lot of home runs is a good way to earn postseason recognition.
That’s something Hartselle’s Katie Norgard and West Limestone’s Lilly Bethune know well.
The Alabama Sports Writers Association’s All-State softball team was released Saturday, and Norgard and Bethune received special honors. They were named hitter of the year in Class 6A and 4A, respectively.
The two were among the best at hitting the long ball this season. Norgard hit 16 home runs, while Bethune blasted 31, which was tied for first in the entire state.
In all, 21 local players were named to the All-State team, with another eight named honorable mention.
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Class 7A
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Austin
Junior Arden Breedlove was named a first-team designated hitter after hitting .536 with 24 home runs and 82 RBIs. She also had 20 stolen bases.
Senior Lyndi Perkins was a second-team infielder with a .422 average and 69 RBIs.
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Class 6A
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Hartselle
Norgard, a junior, was a first-team designated hitter and Class 6A hitter of the year after hitting .464 with 53 RBIs, 52 runs scored and 16 home runs.
Freshman Hatsumi Peterson was named a second-team designated hitter with a .375 average, 47 RBIs and 13 home runs.
Sophomore KJ Prater was an honorable mention utility player.
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Athens
Senior Lily Lowery and junior Caitlyn Tedford were both first-team selections at infielder and outfielder, respectively. Lowery batted .464 with eight home runs, 67 RBIs and 45 stolen bases, while Tedford hit .508 with 70 runs scored and 58 stolen bases.
Senior Amaya Green was named a second-team catcher with a .500 average, 11 home runs and 50 RBIs, while junior Jaicey Harty was a second-team infielder hitting .419 with 73 runs scored and 59 stolen bases.
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Class 5A
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Lawrence County
Sophomore McKinley McCaghren was named a first-team pitcher after posting a 21-7 record with a 1.42 ERA and 193 strikeouts. She also had four shutouts, two no-hitters and a perfect game.
Freshman Alivia Templeton was chosen as a second-team outfielder with a .374 average, 41 runs scored, 40 RBIs and 33 stolen bases.
Sophomore Bella Cross was an honorable mention utility player.
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Ardmore
Senior Alaina Grace King was named a second-team catcher after hitting .368 with 44 runs scored, 43 RBIs and 10 home runs.
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Priceville
Junior Elizabeth Murphy was a second-team pitcher with a 2.68 ERA, 85 strikeouts, three shutouts and a no-hitter.
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Brewer
Senior Cheyenne Lucas was an honorable mention outfielder, while junior Taylor Pellem was an honorable mention catcher.
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Class 4A
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West Limestone
Bethune, a senior, was named a first-team outfielder and Class 4A hitter of the year after hitting .541 with 31 home runs and 91 RBIs.
Senior Haley Waggoner was named a first-team designated hitter, while senior JuliAnn Kyle was chosen as a first-team pitcher. Waggoner batted .417 with 20 home runs and 59 RBIs. Kyle had 21 wins with a 1.64 ERA and 240 strikeouts.
Freshman Aubrey Bethune was an honorable mention catcher.
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Hatton
Senior Anna Kate Potter was named a second-team outfielder after hitting .468 with 50 runs scored and 37 stolen bases.
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Danville
Senior Aubrey Reed was selected as an honorable mention catcher.
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Class 2A
Senior Savannah Sims was a first-team outfielder with a .581 average, 56 runs scored and 43 stolen bases.
Junior Marissa Adams was an honorable mention utility player.
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Lindsay Lane
Junior Briley Miller (infield), senior Leigha Carder (infield) and senior Lydia Carter (outfield) were all second-team selections. Miller hit .526 with 49 RBIs and 47 runs scored, Carder hit .482 with 35 runs scored and 34 RBIs and Carter hit .466 with 50 runs scored and 21 stolen bases.
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Falkville
Lily Slayton, an eighth-grader, was named an honorable mention catcher.
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Class 1A
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Athens Bible
Senior Addyson Butler was selected as a first-team designated hitter after batting .432 with 44 RBIs.
— caleb.suggs@decaturdaily.com or 256-340-2395. Twitter @CalebSuggs2