Indians Named All Region & State
The Georgia Athletic Coaches Association (GACA) recently announced their 2021 Softball All-State Team, and five Vidalia Lady Indians received All-State Honors. Bailey Holland was named the AA Pitcher of the year, while Tori Wright also picked up 1st Team honors. Other Lady Indians named All-State were Emma Humphrey, and Madison Starr (2nd Team), and Tymber Harris (Honorable Mention) “All of these players are a rare combination of individual excellence combined with the consummate teammate.” Said Vidalia Head Coach Ben Beck. “They are always cheering for teammates and helping them be their best. That speaks as much for who they are as much as any individual accomplishment.” Beck added.
The AA Pitcher of the Year, Bailey Holland, ended the season with a 14-3 record, with 147 strikeouts in 106 innings with only 20 walks. The Ga Southern signee allowed only 7 runs all year long, giving her a 0.461 ERA. Holland also hit .333 with 9 doubles, a home run, and 20 RBIs. In the State Championship series in Columbus, Holland threw 33 innings in 6 games, allowing just 5 earned runs while striking out 41. “I can’t say enough about Bailey and the way she performed for us all year.” Beck said. “She is one of the hardest working athletes I’ve ever been around and it shows on the softball field. She was dominant in the circle, especially when it mattered most.”
Tori Wright, Holland’s battery mate, also was named to the 1st Team All-State. Wright. a Junior All-Star Selection, will play in the Junior All-Star Game in June as one of the top Juniors in all classifications. The Lady Indian Catcher finished the year with a .472 AVG, hitting 10 home runs, with 44 RBI, In Columbus, Wright batted .450 with 5 home runs, 2 doubles, 5 walks and, 10 RBIs.
“Tori had an amazing year.” According to Beck, “She established herself as not only the best player in our region, but also one of the best in the State. The hard work that she puts in every day will ensure that she builds on this season, and has an even better one next year. I can’t wait to see where she can take herself and this Team.”
Emma Humphrey and Madison Starr were named to the 2nd Team by the GACA, with both having solid seasons. Humphrey, who is just a sophomore, was thrust into the starting shortstop position and had a “productive sophomore season.” Humphrey finished the year batting .375, with 5 home runs and 31 RBIs, and Beck said the sophomore is really starting to see how good she can be, “Emma is just now starting to realize her full potential. At the plate, she has the potential to be one of the best I’ve ever seen. She is an unbelievably hard worker and we look forward to her having a breakout Junior season.”
Starr, who Beck called “one of the best pitchers in AA,” finished the year with an 8-2 record in the circle with a 1.728 ERA, while striking out 78. “Madison had a really great Junior season. As a pitcher, she can be truly dominant at times.” said Beck. But Starr also handles the bat well, delivering 7 doubles, 1 triple 4 home runs. “Madison was also one of the most clutch hitters on the Team. She had 2 game winning home runs. One against West Laurens and one on the biggest stage in Columbus against Jeff Davis. Next year we look forward to her taking the reins as a leader on the Team and continuing her excellence as a truly special 2-way player.”
Sophomore Tymber Harris, who finished the year with a 10-2 record and a 0.892 ERA, was named an Honorable Mention to the AA Team. According to Coach Beck, Harris, who ended the year with 118 strikeouts, “Tymber will be one of the most dominant pitchers in any classification, if her upward trend continues.” Beck said that Harris has made a great deal of progress over the past two seasons. “Tymber’s progression the last two years has been unlike anything I’ve seen. Through her hard work and dedication, she has turned herself into one of the elite sophomore pitchers in the State.” The 2AA Champion Lady Indians finished the year with a 32-7 record and came within two wins of a State Championship, falling to Heard County in the 1st game of the Championship series. When they begin play in August, the Lady Indians will return a solid line-up to the field. In addition to Wright, Starr, Humphrey and, Harris, Beck will return 15 other members of the Team for the 2022 season.
Also nine VHS players were named to the Region 2AA All Region Team. Those players were Pitcher of the Year Bailey Holland, Player of the Year Tori Wright, Madison Starr, Tymber Harris, Emma Humphrey, Rileigh Robinson, Alli Taufmann, Jesslyn Collins, and Emma Vinson.
