JC's Dunavant named Softball Player of the Year

After making the Class A sectionals two years ago and falling in the district last year, 2017 was to be the year for Jackson Christian to try and make a run at the state tournament.

To do that, the Lady Eagles needed consistent hitting throughout the lineup to back up the pitching of Jenna Arnold.

No player was more consistent at the plate this year for Jackson Christian than junior catcher Sophie Dunavant.

Dunavant batted .528 this year with 10 home runs and 14 doubles to go along with 48 RBI and 50 runs scored to be named the 2017 All-West Tennessee Softball Player of the Year.

"Freshman year, I was a power hitter a little bit, but I mostly hit bloopers," Dunavant said. "I started hitting home runs as a sophomore, but I have come a long way this year by getting stronger."

Jackson Christian met its goal of reaching the Class A state tournament, and the Lady Eagles went on to finish in the top four of the state.

"I had never been to state, but some of my teammates had and they talked about how fun it was," Dunavant said. "I was looking forward to it."

Dunavant said the difference this season was how much this team was a cohesive unit.

"We worked together really well," Dunavant said. "Any issues that came up, we were able to talk about it and resolve them ourselves."

Jackson Christian was near the top of the district all season, but an early loss in the district tournament forced them to fight.

"When we beat Riverside at Riverside," Dunavant said was the turning point of the season. "They beat us at home to put us in the losers' bracket, and then we went to their place and run-ruled them."

Dunavant is also key defensively to backup Arnold in the pitchers' circle. She finished the season with a 99.4 fielding percentage with two errors total.

"I am thinking about where I can get the next out to help Jenna out," Dunavant said. "If there are runners on, I am trying to think like they think and figure out what they are going to do.

"I do everything I can to help my pitcher out. I know she is working hard, so I know I have to work hard."

Jackson Christian makes the move to Division II-A next year, but Dunavant feels that the goal is still going to be the same.

"I am hoping that we can make another run at state," Dunavant said.

Reach Michael Odom at michodom@jacksonsun.com or 731-425-9754. Follow him on Twitter @JSWriterMichael.