Meet the DNJ's 2018 all-area softball team

Cecil Joyce
Murfreesboro Daily News Journal
Siegel's Sophie Golliver fires a pitch during the 2018 season. Golliver was the DNJ's all-area player of the year.

Area softball teams had no shortage of offense in 2018.

High batting averages, power and speed were all prevalent in The Daily News Journal's all-area team.

The squad is led by area player of the year Sophie Golliver. The Seigel sophomore led the Lady Stars with a 31-3 record, 1.06 ERA, 12 shutouts, five no-hitters, a perfect game and 314 strikeouts in 204⅓ innings. She also hit .407 with four homers and 31 RBIs.

Player of the year finalists included Siegel junior third baseman Caitlyn McCrary and Riverdale junior Kaylee Hewitt.

The DNJ's all-area team includes:

First team

Rachel Tarpley

Blackman, Jr.

Position: Catcher

Why chosen: Batted .470 with 12 doubles, three triples, five homers, 27 RBIs and 33 runs.

Katie Killen

Smyrna, Sr.

Position: Infielder

Why chosen: The 7-AAA MVP batted .532 with 11 doubles, seven triples, two homers, 52 runs, 27 RBIs and 27 stolen bases.

Vanessa Westfall

Siegel, Jr.

Position: Infielder

Why chosen: Batted .496 with 11 doubles, two triples, two homers, 42 runs, 33 RBIs and 13 steals.

Caitlyn McCrary

Siegel, Jr.

Position: Infielder

Why chosen: The all-area player of the year finalist batted .458 with 11 doubles, two triples, 10 homers, 46 RBIs, 32 runs and 17 stolen bases.

Gracie Kirby

Oakland, Sr.

Position: Infielder

Why chosen: Batted .392 with nine doubles, seven homers, 28 RBIs and 29 runs.

Lexie Harper

Smyrna, Sr.

Position: Outfielder

Why chosen: Batted .507 with six doubles, five triples, two homers, 51 runs, 26 RBIs and 36 stolen bases while being one of the area’s top defenders.

Kendall Andrews

Blackman, Jr.

Position: Outfielder

Why chosen: Batted .411 with 10 doubles, four triples, seven homers, 29 runs and 19 RBIs.

Presley Leebrick

Siegel, So.

Position: Outfielder

Why chosen: Hit .472 with seven doubles, two triples, a homer, 37 runs, 12 RBIs and eight stolen bases.

Sami Cenizal

Riverdale, Sr.

Position: Utility

Why chosen: Batted .486 with nine doubles, 11 homers, 40 RBIs and 40 runs.

Sophie Golliver

Siegel, So.

Position: Pitcher

Why chosen: The all-area player of the year went 31-3 with a 1.06 ERA, 12 shutouts, five no-hitters, a perfect game and 314 strikeouts in 204⅓ innings. She also hit .407 with four homers and 31 RBIs.

Kaylee Hewitt

Riverdale, Jr.

Position: Pitcher

Why chosen: The all-area player of the year finalist went 18-9 with a 1.62 ERA and 171 strikeouts in 155⅓ innings while also batting .519 with 10 homers and 39 RBIs.

Second team

Catcher: Makayla Fleming, Smyrna, Sr.

Infielder: Kalei Harding, Blackman, So.

Infielder: Macy Smith, MTCS, Fr.

Infielder:  Kristin Lee, Siegel, Sr.

Infielder: Hannah Ward, Smyrna, Sr.

Outfielder: Alyssa Ward, Central Magnet, Sr.

Outfielder: Ali Decker, Stewarts Creek, Sr.

Outfielder: Breanna Bailey, Riverdale, So.

Utility: Abby Frazier, Central Magnet, Jr.

Pitcher: Caitlyn Manus, Blackman, Jr.

Pitcher: Lily Soverns, Smyrna, So.

Coach of the Year

Shawn Middleton

Siegel

Why chosen: Guided Siegel to 32 wins and a district championship in his first season at the helm.