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Delaughter delivers wins
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| By: TOM GOETZ, DAILY LEADER Sports Editor |
May 18, 2009 |
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On paper, Brooke Delaughter's fastpitch softball statistics make her look like a powerful, muscular giant. In reality, the attractive 5-foot-5, blue-eyed Loyd Star junior resembles either a cheerleader or homecoming queen.
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Delaughter's pitching skills are recognized across the Magnolia State and she swings a mean bat, too. She was instrumental in leading Loyd Star's Lady Hornets to the MHSAA Class 2A State Softball Championship two weeks ago.
For her accomplishments, Delaughter has been selected The DAILY LEADER's Most Valuable Player on the 2009 All-Area Fastpitch Softball Team. With that honor comes the title of Miss Softball.
Fastpitch enjoyed a high level of success in southwest Mississippi. Loyd Star catcher Haley Sones has been named the DL's Defensive Player of the Year and Bogue Chitto's Kelli Howard is the Offensive Player of the Year.
Joining the talented trio on the DL's Dream Team are pitcher Brianna Brister of North Pike, catchers Shelby Mitchell of Lawrence County, Karla Beth Hux of Enterprise and Darcy Miller of Bogue Chitto.
The infielders are Sabrina Delaughter and Hannah Lowman of Brookhaven, Allie Harris of Lawrence County, Carrie Moak of Loyd Star and Josie Porter of Bogue Chitto.
Outfielders are Calleye Douglas and Karah Smith of Loyd Star, Casey Risher of Brookhaven and Samantha Johnston and Hali Sasser of North Pike.
Designated hitters are Lindsay Clark of McComb Parklane Academy, Emily Smith of Loyd Star, Jessica Haynes of Wesson and Casey Rischer of Brookhaven.
Utility players are Kacey Smith of Franklin County, Stevie Wright of Brookhaven, Brittany Beeson of Loyd Star, Erika Rutland of Enterprise and Ashley McCaffery of West Lincoln.
DL Sports Department members compiled the Dream Team, with input provided by area high school and college coaches.
Brooke Delaughter compiled a 28-1-1 worksheet as the Lady Hornets marched to the state title and 31-1-1 record. She compiled a stingy 0.91 ERA, striking out 236 batters and walking 38 in 192 innings.
At the plate, she batted .353, accounting for a team-best 32 RBIs. She hit 8 doubles and had a .451 slugging percentage.
"Brooke put a lot of pressure on herself this year," said her mother, Loyd Star coach Jan Delaughter. "She worked hard to improve her pitching and batting skills."
Delaughter, who celebrates her 18th birthday July 26, took private pitching lessons from Coach Bobby Waterbury at his facility located in Clinton. She credited him with improving her skills and pitching arsenal.
"Coach Waterbury helped me learn more about spotting the ball. My dropball, curveball and riseball developed more from August to December."
She developed tendonitis in her right elbow but it didn't stop her from practicing. "I pitched at home every day."
Asked about the championship march, Delaughter said, "I had a real solid defense behind me. That gave me confidence."
Sones has been catching Delaughter since the seventh grade. "Haley is a great catcher and she doesn't mind getting dirty. I feel very confident having her behind the plate. If I throw a bad pitch, she is going to block it."
How does it feel having your mother for a coach?
Delaughter smiled and said, "I like having my mom for a coach. She pushes me hard to get better. She's an excellent coach, too."
On the field, she wears jersey No. 18, honoring her older brother, Matthew, who was a standout football and baseball player at Loyd Star, later playing fullback for Co-Lin Community College.
Haley Sones, a 6-foot senior, could have played either softball or basketball at Co-Lin but she chose softball. She also plays the drum in Loyd Star's band and will do the same at Co-Lin. She wore No. 13 in basketball and softball.
Sones batted .348 her senior year, hitting 3 home runs. She had 21 RBIs, 8 doubles and 5 triples.
"I love playing catcher," said Sones. "Brooke made me a better catcher. We work together every day."
Prior to games, Delaughter throws a black, weighted softball during warmups. "When she starts throwing with the regular ball, it's like SWISH! I learned to have quick reflexes."
Sones said she plans to pursue a career in either athletic training or coaching at Co-Lin.
Kelli Howard, a 5-10 senior, sparkled as a pitcher and a hitter. She batted .467 for the Lady 'Cats sparking them to the South State 1A championship series against East Webster, the eventual state champ. She drove in 34 runs, hit 2 homers and 6 triples.
"Kelli was a great hitter for us this year," said Bogue Chitto coach Scott Leggett. "I used her in the No. 2 hole. She drove in a lot of runs this year."
She uses a 33-inch, 23-ounce Easton Stealth bat.
Asked about her approach to batting, Howard said, "I just see the ball and try to put it in play. I like the fastball."
Like Sones and Delaughter, she played for Southern Ice last summer, a travel team coached by Co-Lin team members.
Within the circle, Howard was extremely effective, too. She compiled a 16-4 record and a 1.45 ERA. She struck out 86 batters and walked 31 in 124 innings.
Howard said she plans to become a dental hygienist and will pursue that curriculum while she's playing softball at Co-Lin.
Brianna Brister, a freshman, compiled a 14-5 record for North Pike's Lady Jaguars, directing them to the Class 3A state championship series against Nettleton. They lost an extra-inning, heart-breaker in the opener and were eliminated in 2 games.
Brister notched an 0.78 ERA, striking out 102 batters and walking 62 in 108 innings as the Coach Sonya Wallace's team finished 24-9 overall and 7-1 in Division 7-3A. Brister also batted .254.
Shelby Mitchell, a sophomore, posted a .481 batting average at Lawrence County as the Lady Cougars captured the Division 6-4A crown. She threw out 9 batters during their 11-10 season under first-year coach Courtney Shivers.
Karla Beth Hux, a sophomore, batted .348 for the Enterprise Lady Yellow Jackets. She hit 2 homers for Coach Steve Sasser's squad that advanced to the Class 2A state playoffs.
Darcy Miller, a sophomore, batted .429, with 30 RBIs and 1 homer.
Sabrina Delaughter, a senior, batted .360 for Coach Chad Walker's Lady Panthers who were Division 6-4A runners-up.
Josie Porter, a sophomore, batted .462 for the Lady 'Cats and had a team-high 42 RBIs. She hit 2 homers, 7 triples and 6 doubles.
Carrie Moak, a junior, batted .388 for the Lady Hornets. She had 29 RBIs and 1 home run, it coming in the state championship series against Hamilton.
Allie Harris, a sophomore, batted .351 for the LCHS Lady Cougars.
Hannah Lowman, a senior, batted .481 for the Lady Panthers.
Calleye Douglas, a senior, batted .271 for the Lady Hornets.
Hali Sasser, a senior, batted .262 for the Lady Jaguars.
Samantha Johnston, an eighth grader, batted .382 for the Lady Jaguars.
Karah Smith, a junior, batted .395 for the Lady Hornets.
Lindsay Clark, a senior first baseman, batted .489 for Parklane Academy. She had 8 triples, 10 doubles and 4 homers for Coach Dwight Stockton's Parklane Pioneers who finished 22-9 and fourth in the Class AAA State Tournament. She has signed with Southwest Mississippi Community College.
Emily Smith, a junior, batted .405 for the Lady Hornets.
Jessica Haynes, a senior, batted .373 for Coach Tiffani Ferguson's Lady Cobras, helping them to the Class 2A state playoffs.
Casey Risher, a senior, batted .461 for the Lady Panthers. She's a Co-Lin signee.
Kacey Smith, a junior, batted .426, for Coach Dana Smith's Lady Bulldogs. As a pitcher, she recorded 84 strikeouts.
Stevie Wright, a junior, batted .437 for Coach Walker's Lady Panthers.
Ashley McCaffery, a junior, batted .363 for Coach Andrew Redd's Lady Bears.
Brittany Beeson, a senior, batted .359 for the Lady Hornets. She anchored the infield at third base and has signed with Co-Lin.
Erika Rutland, a senior, batted .275 for the Lady Jackets. She scored 24 runs and has signed with Co-Lin.
HONORABLE MENTION
Bogue Chitto: Blaine Myers, Bradi Davis, Toy Smith.
Brookhaven: Christen Benson, Sarah Ayers, Brooke Hosick.
Brookhaven Academy: Shelby Farmer, Laura Beth Wright, Mollie Smith, Anna Katelyn Mangold.
Enterprise: Kolbi Lewis, Ashley Greer, Chynna Coghlan.
Franklin County: Kierra Collins, Taylor Stewart, Desireee Buie, Morgan Knapp.
Loyd Star: Natalie Keene, Sarah Falvey, Brittany Wallace.
North Pike: Lauren Wells, Savannah Johnston, Kelsey Lord.
Wesson: Marley McCardle, Shauntay Walker, Abbey Smith.
West Lincoln: Keri Easley, Shelby Lofton, Haley Ainsworth.
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©The Daily Leader 2009
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