BROWNSTOWN
Lisa Scott, who was a steady force on the left side of the infield and in the batting order for the Brownstown Central softball team this season, was named the most valuable player and received the mental attitude award at the team’s awards program Tuesday night in the school cafeteria.
Scott, who missed the first few games of the season because of a knee injury (torn ACL), played third base most of the season before moving to shortstop for the final five games of the season.
“She played hurt all season,” coach Monte Ault said. “Most girls wouldn’t have come back as soon as she did. She never complained about pain. She slid into bases all season. She’s got a real strong arm, and she was a leader on and off the field.
“She had a great attitude and was positive to the other girls. We will miss her on and off the field very much. She had an excellent four-year career.”
Scott was 23 for 89 for a .284 average with 10 RBIs, 13 runs and eight walks. Defensively, Scott had 29 putouts and 50 assists.
Katelyn Gray received the hitting and defensive awards.
“She is right there being one of the best first basemen I’ve had,” Ault said.
Gray topped the Braves in hitting with 32-for-90 for a .405 average.
She had a team-high 24 RBIs and was second on the team in runs with 24.
The senior hit three home runs this season and holds the career record with 20, and Ault said she also hit 20 homers in travel ball.
Defensively, Gray had 228 chances, 213 putouts, 14 assists and just one error for a .996 fielding percentage.
Jami Bryant received the pitching award, compiling a record of 11-13 and pitching 163.2 innings with 97 strikeouts and 35 walks, and allowed 101 earned runs for a 4.32 ERA.
Gray and center fielder Beth Wayman were named Mid-Southern all-conference first team and Bryant was named honorable mention.
“The three seniors made Brownstown softball very successful,” Ault said. “Beth was dedicated to softball.”
Assistant coach Darren Bryant also complimented the seniors for their accomplishments.
Gray led the team in hits, followed by Wayman (29) and Bryant (28); Wayman was No. 1 in runs (29), followed by Gray, and Scott and Bryant with 13 each. Wayman also was the leader in walks with 10.
Wayman and Bryant received their letter jackets.
The Braves were 11-14 overall and had a 5-4 record in the MSC.
“When we started the season we had three goals: have a winning record, win the conference and win the sectional,” Ault said.
“We started out the season slow, and I think part of the reason for that is because we had three girls with torn ACL’s at the start of the season. We played a lot better by midseason.”
Ault introduced members of the team and said 10 girls earned varsity letters, and that included three freshmen and a sophomore who earned their first varsity letter.