AWT SOFTBALL: Adamsville's Morris struck out 222 batters this season

Throughout the 2015 season, Adamsville junior pitcher Gabby Morris faced 521 batters in the 24 games in which she pitched. Of those 521 batters faced, Morris struck out 222 of them.

She also helped the Lady Cardinals to the District 15-A and Region 8-A titles, along with a top four finish in Class A, to be named The Jackson Sun's 2015 Softball Pitcher of the Year.

"When I was in the circle, I hopefully wanted to keep them from scoring," Morris said. "I tried to get the batter to roll a ground ball because I had confidence in my defense.

Morris dominated while she was in the pitchers' circle, but she didn't have to do that every game. She had a partner in circle with Parker Davis, and the utilization of the two allowed both to be fresh when the postseason came around.

"Parker and I have each other's back, we have played together and know what each other is thinking," Morris said. "When I am pitching, I know she has my back in centerfield, and when she is pitching, I have her back in centerfield. We also have a good defense in the infield."

After falling in sectionals last season, the Lady Cardinals had their eyes set on the state tournament.

"Losing last year motivated me a lot," Morris said. "I tried to rub that off on my teammates to make it farther this year and make the state tournament."

Adamsville started slow, but the middle of the season made the difference for this team.

"The beginning of the season was rough, and it took a lot of time to get to know each other," Morris said. "We really came together in the middle of the season and got to know each other better. Our hitting and our defense both came together."

For Morris, who is committed to Union University, the goals for next season are similar to this season.

"Next year, we want to earn a state title," she said. "We had several young girls, and it is going to take everyone coming together again like we did this year."

Michael Odom, 425-9754