By By BRIAN HAINES, Sports Writer
The 2010 softball season was one of the area’s best in recent history. Seemingly every team around had a chance to win its conference or make a long playoff run.
At the end of this season we bid goodbye to longtime stars such as Northside’s Amanda Daw and Williamston’s Cassie Harrell, both of which were named the WDN Co-Players of the Year.
While some of the veteran stars are leaving, there are plenty of young guns to take their place as this year featured some extraordinarily talented underclassmen.
Southside freshman Savannah Mumford had a tremendous rookie campaign en route to being named the WDN Pitcher of the Year, while Williamston freshman Dasia Moore became one of the most exciting players to watch in the state.
With so much talent around, this year’s Washington Daily News All-Area Softball Team was by far the toughest to put together, and might be the only one where the second team could give the first team a run for its money.
Pitchers
Harris Shepherd, Williamston
A real steady presence on the mound, Harris Shepherd guided Williamston to its first-ever appearance in the state tournament by baffling hitters with an array of pitches packed with late movement. Shepherd finished the year with a 14-9 record and a 1.53 ERA.
Lilyann Arnold, Northside
Armed with a good fastball and the ability to locate it, Lilyann Arnold put forth a tremendous junior season for Northside as the hurler struck out 102 batters and ended the year with a 1.33 ERA.
Caroline Tetterton, Jamesville
The driving force for a Jamesville team that ended the regular season ranked in the top 10 in the state, Caroline Tetterton had as good a season as you can ask for. The Tideland Conference Player of the Year posted went 18-2 for the Bullets.
Infield
Catcher
Hayley Stowe, Washington
A great leader and a great athlete, Hayley Stowe was what every coach would want behind the plate. Equipped with one of the best arms around, Stowe threw out 10 out of the 12 base runners that attempted to steal on her this season. Stowe also was a presence at the plate where she batted .319.
First base
Haley Bowen, Jamesville
A solid defensive player with a good bat, Haley Bowen helped Jamesville capture the Tideland Conference crown by batting .351 on the season.
Second base
Kristi Wood, Washington
A good leadoff hitter is expected to get on base and spark her team, and Washington’s Kristi Wood excelled at both. Wood batted .487 on the year, setting the table for the Pam Pack power hitters and creating havoc on the bases.
Third base
Sondra Sparks, Southside
Third base is probably the hardest position to play in all of softball because players are asked to play so far in to protect against the bunt, but also have to be cat-quick with their glove to guard against the hit. As a freshman, Sondra Sparks was able to handle that duty admirably while batting .409 for the Four Rivers Conference champion Seahawks.
Shortstop
Heather Jackson, Williamston
Always the hardest position to fill on the all-area team because there are just so many good shortstops. However, Heather Jackson’s combination of outstanding defense, a quick bat and strong leadership allowed her rise to the top. Jackson made two clutch catches in the field to help her team get past Southside in the playoffs and batted .372 as the No. 3 hitter on a team that finished fourth in the state amongst 1-A clubs.
Outfield
Dasia Moore, Williamston
Easily the most exciting player in the area, the sky is the limit for Williamston freshman Dasia Moore. Equipped with one of the fastest bats around, the freshman led the Tigers with a .424 batting average and two home runs. Moore had the biggest impact on the game once she got on base, where her speed made her threat to steal in any situation.
Morgan Bryant, Washington
A really good athlete and a talented ball player, Morgan Bryant used her speed to cover a lot of ground in the outfield for the Pam Pack. At the plate, Bryant was just as solid as she hit .344 for Washington and was a key bat in its lineup. The versatile Bryant could also pitch and picked up three wins on the season.
Kaitlyn Sitterton, Bear Grass
Another promising young player, Bear Grass left fielder Kaitlyn Sitterton provided punch for the Bears by hitting .366 as a sophomore. Sitterton helped lead Bear Grass to a second place finish in the Tideland Conference.
Valerie Ruffin
Maybe the most powerfully hitter in the area, Ruffin has raw talent and the ability to knock the ball out of just about any park. Ruffin was called up from JV mid-season and within a few games became the three-time conference champion Seahawks’ cleanup hitter. Ruffin, who tripled in her first varsity at-bat against Jamesville, hit .516 this season with 15 RBIs
SECOND TEAM
Pitchers
Paige Roberson, Terra Ceia
Sara Mosley, Bear Grass
Brandi Hardison, Washington
Infield
Catcher
Shakeria Lomax, Southside
First Base
Katelyn Singleton, Washington
Second base
Macy Paramore, Southside
Third base
Caroline Slade
Shortstop
Ashley Mobley, Jamesville
Outfield
Madison Brandon, Williamston
Bailey Hobbs, Southside,
Britney Alligood, Northside
Designated hitter
Kimberly Mobley, Bear Grass
Honorable mention
Bear Grass
Taylor Hollis
Taylor Johnson
Jamesville
Corey Ange
Northside
Jenna Payne
Caroline Slade
Britney Alligood
Elizabeth Harris
Hannah Bowen
Rachel Hollowell
Plymouth
Brooke Gurganus
Megan Kelly
Makayla Mizzelle
Pungo
Allison Armstrong
Jordan Dunbar
Tess Smithwick
Jodi Rose
Roanoke
Kamisha Barnes
Southside
Kristen Ayers
Becky Poole
Terra Ceia
Morgan Boyd
Katie Jackson
Kennedy Dail
Lindsey Smith
Hollie MacDonald
Washington
Justice McKissick
Caroline Smith
Sydney Gurkin
Casey Lewis
Williamston
Rachel Baker
Kellen Edwards
Rhonda Manning
Courtney Wynn
Kelly Drew