Bogue Chitto’s junior first baseman Christian Black had another great season in slowpitch softball for the Lady Cats. Black’s power at the plate is well known among opposing teams as she raised her level of play to reset several of BC’s slowpitch softball records, while helping her team advance for into the playoffs falling just one game short from making the state championship.

Black posted a .684 batting average and smashed 19 home runs on the season. The Lady Cats rebounded from a slow start early in the season to finish strong with a 24-12 worksheet. BC reclaimed the Region 7-1A crown with an undefeated 4-0 record after placing second last year. In this year’s Class 1A playoff race, Bogue Chitto knocked off French Camp in two games and Nanih Waiya in three games before falling to Sebastopol in three games in the South State Championship.

For her performance, Black has been selected the Most Valuable Player on The Daily Leader’s 2014 All-Area Slowpitch Softball Team. Black also earned the Most Valuable Player honors in 2013.

Three more special Daily Leader awards went to senior shortstop Kayla Britt of Wesson, who was selected Most Valuable Defensive Player. Junior shortstop Katherine Shell of Brookhaven and Hanna Moak of West Lincoln were chosen as the Most Valuable Offensive Players.

Joining them on the All-Area Dream Team are pitchers Barri Rogers of Lawrence County, Whitney Howell of North Pike and Brooke Myers of Bogue Chitto.

Working behind the plate is Kaitlyn Smith of Wesson, Julianna Porter of Brookhaven and Anna Brooke Davis of West Lincoln.

Joining Black and Shell in the infield are Rickera Martin of North Pike, Tiera Collins of Lawrence County and Harmoni Ashley of Wesson

The Dream Team’s extra hitters are Jamie Martin of Lawrence County, Millane Lewis and Micah Redd, both of West Lincoln, and Jordan Fitzgerald of North Pike.

Helping Britt in the flex position is Madison Hyde of Lawrence County, Danielle Batteast of Brookhaven and Sarah Brock of North Pike

Joining Moak in the outfield are Jada Henderson of Brookhaven, Mallory Allen and Colby Kirkland, both of Bogue Chitto, and Aurianna Vaughn of Wesson.

Bogue Chitto coach Scott Leggett said Black is a great young lady and teammate. She always displays a positive attitude on and off the field.

Christian Black,  a right-handed power hitter, showcased her skills and talents at the plate and in the field for the Lady Cats.

Black powered the Lady Cats at the plate with a .684 batting average, while collecting 69 RBIs, 11 doubles, 37 singles and 19 home runs.

Defensively, she ruled first base, which was frustrating for opposing teams with her .989 fielding percentage.

“Christian is one of the best players that we have ever had the opportunity to coach,” said Leggett. “Her offensive production continues to grow year after year. This season she has hit for the highest average in batting, home runs and RBIs since I have been at Bogue Chitto. She has set our highest on base percentage record. Overall, She is a very dangerous hitter against opposing teams.”

Katherine Shell,  a junior right-hander, provided a huge bat at the plate for the Brookhaven Lady Panthers.

On defense, Shell expanded her skills in the infield by learning to play the shortstop position after playing third base last year for the Lady Panthers.

Shell is recognized as a power hitter for Ole Brook as she posted a .600 batting average and 16 home runs.

Brookhaven’s first-year head coach Mandy Vinson said, ” Katherine provided our team with a lot of offensive power. She was able to get clutch hits when we needed them.

“Katherine is very coachable, and she has the talents to put the ball in play anywhere on the field,” said Vinson. “Overall, I believe she had a great year as she lead to team in home runs with 16.”

Hanna Moak,  West Lincoln’s junior slugger had an amazing year for the Lady Bears.

Moak showed off her talents this season as she led the team with a .569 batting average and had 17 home runs.

Hannah played right field this season for West Lincoln.

West Lincoln coach Andrew Redd said, “Hanna is a strong hitter that swings with a lot of power. She basically challenged everyone on opposing teams. Her main focus was to hit the ball as hard as she can in any direction on the field.

“Hanna is a tremendous hitter,” Redd said. “We knew that when she went to the plate, she was going to get on base somehow to help her team win.”

Kayla Britt,  a senior right-hander, sparkled at shortstop for the Wesson Lady Cobras.

Britt conducted a .951 fielding percentage and had 56 putouts, which drove opposing teams crazy.

At the plate, Britt was the second leading hitter for the Lady Cobras with a .476 batting average with 11 doubles, two triples, five home runs and 16 RBIs.

“This is a well deserved honor for Kayla,” said Wesson first-year head coach Michelle Nunnery. “She puts forth the work everyday at practice and pushes the rest of her team. She has always stepped up at her position at shortstop by being the leader on the field.”

Barri Rogers,  a junior, compiled a 20-8 record for Lawrence County with a 2.96 ERA and 30 strikeouts,

Whitney Howell,  a sophomore, posted a 12.6 record and a 1.76 for the North Pike Jaguars.

Brook Myers,  a junior, earned a 24-12 record and struck out 27 batters for Bogue Chitto.

Kaitlyn Smith,  a junior, batted .518 for Wesson. She had five home runs and six doubles to her credit.

Anna Brooke Davis,  a sophomore, earned a .375 batting average for West Lincoln.

Julianna Porter,  a senior, posted .350 batting average for the Brookhaven Lady Panthers.

Rickera Martin,  a senior, batted .589 and had 12 home runs for North Pike.

Tiera Collins,  a senior, had a .565 batting average and 15 home runs for Lawrence County.

Harmoni Ashley,  a sophomore, batted .473 for Coach Michelle Nunnery’s Wesson Lady Cobras.

Jamie Martin,  a senior, had a .561 batting average and nine home runs for Lawrence County.

Millane Lewis,  a junior, batted .482 for the West Lincoln Lady Bears.

Micah Redd,  a senior, had a .357 batting average for Coach Redd’s Lady Bears.

Jordan Fitzgerald,  a senior, batted .328 for coach Sonya Wallace’s North Pike Lady Jaguars.

Madison Hyde,  a senior, posted a .560 batting average and had nine home runs for Lawrence County.

Danielle Batteast,  a senior, batted .530 for the Brookhaven Lady Panthers.

Sarah Brock,  a junior, batted .333 for North Pike.

Jada Henderson,  a sophomore, batted .440 for Coach Mandy Vinson’s Brookhaven Lady Panthers.

Mallory Allen,  a senior, had a .412 batting average and had 29 RBI for Bogue Chitto.

Colby Kirkland,  a senior, played outfield for the Lady Cats and posted a .381 batting average.

Aurianna Vaughn,  a sophomore, had a solid year for the Lady Cobras with a .361 batting average and 14 RBIs.