For the first time in the history of the award, a Fairhope athlete was named Miss Softball by the Alabama Sports Writers Association when South Alabama signee Ryley Harrison was bestowed the honor Sunday, June 11.

Harrison helped the Pirates back to a second Class 7A state championship game in the last three years where Fairhope took home another Red Map Trophy as state runners-up.

By the end of the season, Harrison registered a 26-1 record in the pitcher’s circle with a 0.74 ERA and 275 strikeouts as part of 17 shutouts, 3 no-hitters and 3 perfect games. Not only that, but she also compiled a .474 batting average to go along with 20 home runs, 76 RBIs and a .572 on-base percentage which helped create a 1.580 OPS.

For her efforts, Harrison was also recognized as the Class 7A player of the year and earned a spot on the first-team all-state. She was joined in representing Fairhope by junior Jesslyn Gordon who was named an all-state honorable mention. Gordon, a recent Spring Hill College commit, also recently earned a spot on the North-South All-Star roster.

Baldwin County places 14 on all-state teams

The pair of Fairhope Pirates marked two of 14 local players named to all-state teams for their classification by the ASWA.

The Class 6A state semifinalist Spanish Fort Toros led the way with four all-state selections as well as the classification’s coach of the year in Barclay Kercher.

The Class 4A state champion Orange Beach Makos garnered four first-team all-state selections, all of whom were still underclassmen this spring. A pair of underclassmen standouts from the Daphne Trojans also earned first-team all-state distinction in Class 7A after their run to the state tournament.

Both Baldwin County (Class 6A) and Gulf Shores (Class 5A) registered one all-state recognition where the Tigers had a first teamer and the Dolphins earned a second-team nod.

Below are the local all-state selections as chosen by the Alabama Sports Writers Association.

Class 7A

Player of the year
Ryley Harrison, senior – Fairhope

First-team all-state
Ryley Harrison, senior, P – Fairhope

Honorable mention
Jesslyn Gordon, junior, IF – Fairhope

Class 6A

Coach of the Year
Barclay Kercher – Spanish Fort

First-team all-state
Madilyn Byrd, senior, P – Baldwin County
Kennedy Sevcik, junior, DH – Spanish Fort

Second-team all-state
Haley Hart, sophomore, IF – Spanish Fort
Madison Griffith, sophomore, OF – Spanish Fort

Honorable mention
Mackenzie Boullon, junior, P – Spanish Fort

Class 5A

Second-team all-state
Tia Titi, junior, C – Gulf Shores

Class 4A

First-team all-state
KG Favors, sophomore, P – Orange Beach
Ava Hodo, freshman, C – Orange Beach
Daigle Wilson, sophomore, IF – Orange Beach
Teagan Revette, freshman, UTIL – Orange Beach