McNairy softball freshmen played key role in state tourney run

SELMER - The success and skills of McNairy Central's junior softball ace Katie Turner are well documented.

With 24 wins, a 0.50 ERA and 352 strikeouts, she has clearly been a pitching force for the Lady Bobcats this season.

But there have been other players - especially freshmen - that have made key contributions. There are three starting freshmen sprinkled in with three seniors, two juniors and two sophomores.

Sandwiched around sophomore Anabelle Whitaker, who has 11 home runs, in the Lady Bobcats' batting order are freshmen third baseman Megan Hodum, who bats leadoff, and Tori York, who bats third and catches.

Fellow freshman Alyssa Nash's three-run homer last week against Crockett County broke a 2-2 tie in the region semifinals and propelled McNairy Central into the Region 7-AA championship against Dyersburg.

“I knew we had a strong freshman class, but I knew we had a strong team to start the season,” said McNairy Central coach Mellanie Surratt. “We knew we had the talent to make a run and our tough schedule and district prepared us for it.”

 According to Surratt, York makes Turner a better pitcher.

“Tori has been an excellent catcher back there who has done a great job," Surratt said. "Katie looks good pitching, but Tori really finishes her off and gives her a lot of confidence. She does a wonderful job of calling the game too."

York has enjoyed her first season behind the plate.

“I started catching when I was nine and fell in love with it,” York said. “I am catching a great pitcher. Katie is the best pitcher in Tennessee by far and it is just amazing catching her. She's a great mentor.”

Hodum has excelled in that leadoff position to help get the McNairy Central offense going int he first inning.

“I love batting lead off,” Hodum said. “It is exciting to get things started. As a team, we trust each other and have each others' back. We just love playing together.”

And York hasn't experienced any spot in batting order but third.

“I have hit in the three hole my whole life so I don't really know any different," York said. "I don't look at myself as a freshman but just as another part of the team. We are a young team, and we are going to the state so this is real exciting for us. We have never been there before. We have never won the district, region or even sectional, but this year we did.”

McNairy Central opens the Class AA state tournament at 4 p.m. on Tuesday against Sweetwater in Murfreesboro's StarPlex.