For The Tribune
The Pinson Valley Youth Association 18U SWAT softball team earlier this year won the 2013 National Softball Association state championship.
The team finished with a 32-11 record.
The team won the state championship in tournament play in Gadsden, defeating Collinsville 8-7 for the state title. The team had won the area tournament in Oxford earlier in the season and claimed the league championship prior to that.
The Pinson Valley Youth Association 18U SWAT softball team
submitted photo
Team members include Rachael Hydrick, Sarah Davis, Lexie Terry, Elayna Roberts, Christina Roberts, Ashlie Harland, Morgan Rittenhouse, Makayla Ewers, Destini Merrell, Katlyn Hooper and Anna Lowery. The team was coached by Randy Terry and Lonnie Ewers.
Seven of them — Hydrick, Terry, Roberts, Roberts, Harland, Ewers and Hooper — were on last year’s 16U NSA state championship team.
“I have heard a team is only as good as their coach, but I totally disagree,” Terry said. “If you do not have the girls with the determination, desire and the heart to play the game of softball, then you are just a coach with a scorebook in your hand. These young ladies proved they had the characteristics needed to be winners and champions. Coach Lonnie and I didn’t field, throw or hit a ball during the games. It’s all about the girls, and they deserve the praise, honor and recognition of being 2013 18U state champions. Awesome memories were created by them, for them, and I’m thankful they carried us along for the ride.”
The team will be honored by the Pinson City Council on Nov. 21 at 6:30 p.m. at Pinson City Hall.
