Tedder named finalist for Player of the Year

Spain Park’s Mary Katherine Tedder was a finalist for the Gatorade Alabama Softball Player of the Year for her stellar junior season.

Tedder was a finalist along with Sumiton Christian’s Kendall Beth Sides and Curry’s Ashlee Swindle, who won the award. The Gatorade Player of the Year is one of the highest accolades available for individual athletes.

“We’re thrilled to have her another year,” Spain Park head coach C.J. Hawkins said of the junior. “She’s just so much fun to watch. She loves the game and she plays with such a competitive spirit. She’s awesome; awesome person, awesome character, strong Christian, great role model.”

Tedder, a University of Texas commit, set a school record with 20 home runs on the season. She batted for a .457 average, with 74 hits, five triples, 74 RBIs and 31 walks, all tops on the Lady Jags.

Due in part to Tedder’s stellar season, Spain Park advanced to the AHSAA Class 7A state tournament and finished runners up, the best finish in school history. Tedder drove in four runs during the state tournament.

She had three multi-homer games during the year, including a two-homer, six-RBI performance against Tuscaloosa County on February 29.