Baseball, softball players rank in Terrific 20 listing

The Alabama Sports Writers Association decided to forgo its annual baseball/softball all-state selections this year because of the shortened seasons. In place of the annual honors, the ASWA created a “Terrific 20” for each classification – and five local players landed on the lists.

In baseball, Russellville third baseman junior Nick Smith made the Class 5A list. Smith had a batting average of .388 and .448 on base percentage. He led the team with 16 hits in 16 games and led the team in doubles.

Phil Campbell pitcher/third baseman junior Ridge Raper made the Class 3A list. Raper has a record of 17-2, with a 1.74 earned run average. He has a career batting average of .362 and a slugging percentage of .463.

Tharptown shortstop/pitcher sophomore Jayden Mitchell earned top honors in Class 2A. Mitchell struck out 42 batters and walked nine in 20 innings pitched in the shortened season. He also had a batting average of .400.

In softball, Belgreen landed two players on the Class 1A Terrific 20: pitcher/infielder senior Sydney Borden and Belgreen pitcher/outfielder junior Emma Dempsey.

Borden had 17 hits in 13 games, a home run and 11 runs batted in. She had a batting average of .586 and an on–base percentage of .606.

Demspey, in 13 games, batted .393 with an on-base percentage of .452.