SOFTBALL

Top 12 Jackson-area softball teams

Brandon Shields
Jackson Sun

 

JACKSON — We’re a week removed from the official ending of softball season in the TSSAA, so here’s a look at how we rank the teams in the Jackson area in our season wrap-up Dirty Dozen.

There’s a new No. 1 at the top, but I doubt many in the area will argue with it considering how the Lady Bobcats played down the stretch.

The No. 2 team had a fantastic year but didn’t finish as well as the No. 1 team.

It was difficult at times differentiating between teams to determine some of these rankings, weighing better records against tougher competition against who had the better postseasons. But this list is what we came up with after looking at all the information.

Here are the top 12 teams for the entire season.

McNairy Central's Anabelle Whitaker (2) takes a swing at a pitch during game one of the 2017 Class AA State Girls' Softball Championship against Christian Academy of Knoxville on Friday, May 26. CAK defeated McNairy County in two games, 2-1, 2-1.

1. McNairy Central (30-9, Class AA runner-up): The highest the Lady Bobcats were ranked during the season was third, but outlast your district and come within an inning of winning a state championship, and you’ll have a definite argument for the top.

2. Lexington (37-6, District 14-AA third place): The Lady Tigers didn’t finish well, but the 31-game win streak they started with and the competition they beat in that streak solidified them as one of the best in the area.

Scotts Hill's Harley Bartholomew (1) makes a diving catch to end the Region 8-A Championship game against Jackson Christian on Wednesday, May 17. Scotts Hill defeated Jackson Christian, 4-1.

3. Scotts Hill (32-7-1, top 6 in Class A): The Lady Lions did what was needed to get back to state and win their first-ever state tournament game. They might’ve finished better if they could’ve avoided the eventual state champion in the losers bracket.

4. Chester Co. (18-13, Region 7-AA semifinal): The Eaglettes were an up-and-down team all season, but their strength of schedule had a lot to do with that.

5. South Side (21-8-1, District 14-AA fourth): They may not have done well in the district tournament, but considering the three teams that finished ahead of them were already ranked and it’s hard to rank another team ahead of them, the Lady Hawks’ talent will keep them competitive a couple more years.

Jackson Christian's Emma Grace Humphreys (00) collides with Kacie Lynch (1) as Lynch makes the catch for an out during game 10 of the 2017 TSSAA Class A Girls' Softball Tournament on Thursday, May 25, against Goodpasture. Jackson Christian defeated Goodpasture, 19-3.

6. Jackson Christian (23-16-1, fourth in state in Class A): Both of the Lady Eagles’ state tournament losses were to the eventual state champion.

7. Camden (25-12, third in District 11-AA): The Lady Lions had one of the more potent batting lineups in the area.

8. University School of Jackson (20-8, Division II-A sub-state): The Lady Bruins were swept by the eventual state runners-up in the equivalent of the state quarterfinals.

9. McKenzie (21-12, Class A sectional): The Lady Rebels competed well with Scotts Hill before being eliminated a round short of state.

10. Crockett Co. (24-11, Region 7-AA semifinals): The Lady Cavaliers enjoyed a historically good season before running into the eventual state runners-up in an elimination game. Every player returns next year.

11. Huntingdon (30-10, Region 7-A semifinal): The Fillies looked good at times throughout the season, but they struggled through a couple of slumps as well.

12. Riverside (21-9, District 15-A third place): The Lady Panthers’ early finish is probably a little easier to take now that the two that finished ahead of them made it to the state tournament and won some games.

Reach Brandon Shields at bjshields@jacksonsun.com or 731-425-9751. Follow him on Twitter @JSEditorBrandon or on Instagram at jacksonsunsports.