Local players recognized by ASWA

The Alabama Sports Writers Association recently announced its all-state high school baseball and softball teams, featuring a bevy of local talent garnering postseason recognition.

Spain Park’s Mary Katherine Tedder, who was a finalist for the Alabama Gatorade Softball Player of the Year and an NFCA All-American in 2016, was named the ASWA Class 7A player of the year after hitting .460 with nine home runs and 57 RBIs on the season, as the Texas signee helped lead the Jags to a third-place finish at the state tournament.

Also included on the 7A first team were two more Spain Park standouts. Annabelle Widra, an eighth-grade pitcher who baffled hitters all season, posted a 36-6 record and 1.22 ERA with 272 strikeouts. Jenna Olszewski was a first-teamer as well, as the Auburn signee registered 64 hits and 47 RBIs onthe year.

Oak Mountain seniors Abby Jones and O’Neil Roberson were named to the second team after leading the Eagles to a regional berth. Cassady Greenwood and Spain Park’s Caroline Parker were named honorable mention.

In 6A, Chelsea’s Allie Miller made the first team for the Hornets, as the speedy shortstop stole 33 bases and hit for a .456 clip with 68 hits and 64 runs scored. Pitcher Sarah Cespedes picked up second team honors with her sub-2.00 ERA and 160 strikeouts on the year. Camryn Smith and Brooke Burback were honorable mention.

Briarwood’s Lydia Coleman and Riley Coyne were named honorable mention in Class 5A.

On the baseball side, Oak Mountain’s Ethan Holsombeck was named to the Class 7A first team, while Briarwood’s Carson Eddy was a first-teamer in 5A.

Oak Mountain also placed Gene Hurst on the second team and third baseman JJ McDonald on the honorable mention list. For Chelsea, Jacob Burback made the second team in 6A, with Clay DeWeese garnering honorable mention recognition. 

Briarwood’s Sam Strickland and Cole Steadman made the 5A second team.