Four from 7-AAA make TSWA All-State Softball Team

MURFREESBORO – Oakland put together its best high school softball season since 2003 this past year, winning the District 7-AAA tournament and advancing to the Class AAA sectional round before falling to Soddy-Daisy.

On Saturday, three Lady Patriots were honored by the Tennessee Sports Writers Association's Class AAA All-State Softball team.

Oakland pitcher Lacie Rinus, shortstop Abby Sargent and first baseman Savannah Lee were all named to the all-state team. Smyrna pitcher Makenzie Prince also was named to the squad.

Rinus, a sophomore southpaw, went 28-9 in the pitcher's circle this past season. She struck out 209 batters and had a 0.95 ERA. Rinus, who took over the role as ace early in the season for the Lady Patriots, also hit .385 from the lead-off spot. She hit nine doubles and laced 13 triples.

Sargent, a junior, hit .412 this season for Oakland with 18 doubles, six triples, two home runs and 31 RBI. She also scored 40 runs. Sargent, who has committed to North Alabama, was also The Daily News Journal's 2014 Position Player of the Year.

Lee, a junior, hit a team-high .438 this season with eight home runs, 11 doubles and drove in 45 runs.

Prince, an MTSU signee and 2013 Tennessee Gatorade Player of the Year, went 21-7 this past season. She struck out a county-best 230 batters with a 1.50 ERA. Prince also hit .400 for the Lady Bulldogs with 22 RBI and had 13 doubles.

Smyrna advanced to the Region 4-AAA tournament this season and won the District 7-AAA regular season championship.

A pair of MTSU signees also made the all-state teams. Chattanooga Baylor's Precious Birdsong, an outfielder, made the Division II team. Cookeville catcher Morgan Harris was named to the Class AAA team.

Contact Tom Kreager at 615-278-5168 or tkreager@dnj.com. Follow him on Twitter @Kreager.