Peyton Wilson's swan song was a strong one for CHS

George Robinson

USA TODAY NETWORK-Tennessee

Peyton Wilson came into her senior season at Clarksville High known primarily as a slugger who could rack up RBIs if given the opportunity.

What Wilson did for her senior year was establish herself as a thinker who not only refined her hitting but began to incorporate elements of softball that gave her an advantage even when faced with a pitcher's count.

After having the best offensive season of her high school career, that included a District 10 MVP honor, Wilson has been named The Leaf-Chronicle All Area Softball Player of the Year.

Clarksville High's Peyton Wilson takes a swing at a pitch during a softball game last year. Wilson was named All Area Softball Player of the Year for 2017.

The award is voted on by the newspaper's sports staff while the All Area Softball Team is selected by the area athletics directors.

"Every good hitter has his or her own approach at the plate," Wilson said. "I had mine but I really took time to learn how to hit and be more productive with two-strike pitches and I started to use a lot more situational hitting."

It all added up to a batting average that skyrocketed to .538 this season. Her .638 on base percentage and slugging percentage were among the best in District 10 and she led Clarksville in walks with 11.

And she also provided her customary power numbers with five home runs and 43 RBIs.

Clarksville High's Peyton Wilson slides into third base during a softball game last year.

"She took on more roles this year," CHS softball coach Brian Rush said. "She was always a power hitter but her hitting for average sort of changed our lineup a bit."

All of a sudden, Wilson was hitting the ball where it was pitched.

"If a pitcher threw me an outside fastball, I'd hit it opposite field," she said. "If he threw inside, I'd pull the ball. Where ever I needed to hit it, that's where I tried to hit it."

Wilson became a difficult out on her way to a MVP season in district. She helped the Lady Wildcats finish 23-9 and 12-2 in district play.

Clarksville High's Peyton Wilson is congratulated by a teammate after scoring a run during a softball game this past spring.

But while Wilson enjoyed her most productive season in her career, she said she is finished playing competitively. Wilson will concentrate on her studies in the fall at Austin Peay where she is majoring in Pre Veterinarian medicine.

"I've been playing since I was four-years-old and it's been so much fun," Wilson said. "Our last game (a region semifinal loss to Mt. Juliet) was really tough on me. All I remember after that game is crying. I'll miss the coaches and my teammates but I've decided to move on and concentrate on school."

Reach Prep writer George Robinson at georgerobinson@theleafchronicle.com or (931) 245-0747 and on Twitter @Cville_Sports.