Lady Bucs, Lady Jags rack up All-State honors

Hoover and Spain Park made the 2016 softball season memorable for the Hoover City Schools system. The Lady Jags rallied to take home a runner-up trophy at the state tournament, and the Lady Bucs narrowly missed the cut to advance past the North Central Regional.

As a result of each team's great season, the Alabama Sports Writers Association recognized five players from the two schools as part of the 2016 All-State Softball Team.

Spain Park's Mary Katherine Tedder continues to rack up honors, and was named to the first team and Class 7A Player of the Year. In a list which combines all seven classifications in the AHSAA, Tedder was also named to the ASWA Super All-State team. She receives these accolades after being named to the second team All-USA squad last week.

Tedder ripped a Jag-record 20 home runs on the season, as she hit for a .457 average and drove in 74 runs. She walked 31 times, compared to striking out just 10 times.

Also on the 7A first team were Hoover representatives Abby Tissier and Jamie Gregg. Tissier put together a great junior season, despite missing 20 games due to injury. She finished the season with 13 homers and 47 RBIs. 

Gregg hit for a high .425 average, and racked up 85 hits on the season in 200 at-bats. She also scored 77 runs and provided a consistent and productive threat for the Lady Bucs.

Hoover coach Lexi Shrout said, "A well deserved honor for both of these players, who are not only great young ladies outside of softball, but also two of the hardest workers we have on our team. I am extremely proud of Abby and Jamie."

Another pair of Lady Jags were honored on the second team, as Annabelle Widra and Kynadi Tipler put together strong seasons of their own.

Widra spent parts of the season playing middle school ball but the Lady Jags rode her right arm all the way to the finish line once postseason began. In 24 appearances, she hurled 108 innings with a 13-5 record, a 1.94 ERA and 118 strikeouts.

Tipler hit .419 with 10 homers and 45 RBIs for the year, racking up 70 hits and 16 doubles. The Delaware State signee played in 58 games on the year and will be a big hole for Spain Park to fill at third base in the years to come.