A number of Owensboro Catholic and Daviess County softball players recently earned some recognition for their efforts on the diamond this year, with three Lady Aces and a pair of Lady Panthers making their respective classes’ all-state teams—while Owensboro Catholic’s Jeremy Phelps was also named Coach of the Year.
Lady Aces seniors Brooke Hamilton, Bailey Hamilton and Addison Tignor all made the Class 1A All-State First Team, while junior Ruthie Jones earned honorable mention. While Phelps was named Coach of the Year for leading his team to the 9th District Championship and 3rd Region Championship and leading his team to an overall record of 23-12, he was joined by Brooke Hamilton who was named Player of the Year.
Brooke was dominant in the circle all year long, going 19-10 while starting 27 of her 30 games pitched, posting a 2.21 ERA while striking out 240 batters. The senior was just as strong at the plate, being second on Owensboro Catholic in home runs (five) and third in batting average (.330) while tallying 17 RBIs. First baseman Bailey Hamilton led the team in home runs with six, hitting .305 while leading the team in RBIs with 26 as well.
Tignor held things down at second base for the Lady Aces with a team-leading .381 batting average to go along with one homer and 17 RBIs, while Jones was a key outfielder that was second on the team in batting average (.361) and also had 17 RBIs on the season.
Seniors Jessie Daniels and Raylee Roby were the lone representatives for the Lady Panthers, both making the 3A All-State First Team. Daniels continued her strong career at the plate this season, hitting a whopping 18 home runs—helping her claim the Daviess County home run record in the process—while posting a .492 batting average and tallying 66 RBIs.
The first baseman’s efforts also earned her the title of the 3rd Region Player of the Year, winning the award for the second year in a row. Fellow senior Roby shined in the circle once again this season, going 22-3 while starting 24 of her 26 games pitched, owning an ERA of 1.30 and striking out 220 batters.
