In a season of intense competition, Bogue Chitto seniors RandiMoak and Jessica Melton set the highest standard on The DAILYLEADER’s 2003 All-Area Fastpitch Softball Team. Moak, a catcher,and Melton, a shortstop, are recognized as the Co-Most ValuablePlayers on the All-Area Team, leading the Lady Bobcats to the SouthState 1A finals.

Also receiving special honors on the DL’s Dream Team are LoydStar shortstop Beth Smith, the Offensive Player of The Year, andpitchers Meleah Brown of Bogue Chitto and Kelly Stokes of LawrenceCounty, Co-Defensive Players of the Year.

Joining them on the Dream Team are catchers Allie Williamson ofLawrence County and Lauren Smith of West Lincoln. The other pitcheris Copiah Academy’s Jackie Stowe.

The infield consists of Brookhaven’s Megan Bateman and MandyVinson, and Lawrence County’s Gina McCloud. Outfielders are AngieDavis of Brookhaven Academy, Kia Porter of Bogue Chitto and AshleyAutman of Lawrence County.

Brittany Alexander of North Pike is the designated hitter andAshley Palomarez of Enterprise is the utility player.

The Dream Team was selected by members of the DL sportsdepartment, with input provided by college and high school coaches.Last year, the first fastpitch team was led by Coach BeronicaStringfellow and pitcher Ashley Davis of Lawrence County.

Athletic success is nothing new to Melton and Moak. They wereteammates in tennis, winning the Class 1A girls doubles statetournament title. In basketball, they both were named to the DL’sAll-Lincoln County Team. Melton was named Miss Basketball.

As a senior, Melton batted .452. She is recognized for herathletic ability and defensive skills at shortstop.

“Jessica has great natural ability,” said Bogue Chitto coachAdriane Albritton, the DL’s Coach of the Year. “She made very fewerrors.”

Moak also complimented her teammate. “You can depend on Jessicato get an out. She hustles for every ball.”

Moak batted .413 and was a coach on the field. She also calledall the pitches from behind the plate.

“Randi could take charge,” said Albritton. “You never caught heroff guard.”

Brown agreed. “Randi is a great catcher. She’s good at callingsigns and locating. We have a good bond.”

Melton said Moak is a smart catcher. “Randi knows the situationsand what she has to do. She’s a great athlete and she’s a teamplayer.”

Brown, a freshman, fashioned a 17-3 record. She batted close to.400.

“Meleah is a great talent with a lot of potential,” saidAlbritton. “She’s determined to win.”

Brown’s pitches average in the 50 mile-per-hour range. Shethrows fastballs, changeups and has a natural curve.

Moak said Brown had good control of her pitches. “Meleah hitsthe locations and we don’t have any conflicts. For her age, she’s avery good pitcher.”

Beth Smith, standing 5-foot-10, was the sparkplug on Loyd Star’steam. She batted .450 this season while playing shortstop for CoachJan Delaughter. She has signed a softball scholarship withCopiah-Lincoln Community College.

“I really enjoy playing fastpitch,” said Smith. “I like it a lotmore than slowpitch.” She was the MVP on Loyd Star’s team.

Stokes moved to Lawrence County from Greenville last summer andprovided the Lady Cougars with an immediate star on the mound. Sheposted a 13-7 record and pitched 8 no-hitters. She had a .61 ERA,allowing just 11 earned runs. Stokes faced 478 batters, strikingout 188 and walking 22. She gave up 47 hits.

LCHS girls fastpitch coach Beronica Stringfellow said Stokes isan outstanding hurler. “Kelli has a lot of different pitches. Shethrows a good fastball, a rising ball, outside. She can throwaround the 59-60 (miles) per hour.”

Stowe sparkled on the mound for Copiah Academy this past season.She had a 1.23 ERA with 114 strikeouts and 45 walks. At the plate,she batted .400 for the Lady Colonels.

HONORABLE MENTION WITH DISTINCTION

Bogue Chitto: Amanda Wallace, Candace Braxton,Karen Wallace.

Brookhaven: Samantha Boutwell, Cortney Fielder,Ashley Sykes.

Brookhaven Academy: April Douchard, EmilyLangley.

Copiah Academy: Jennifer Harris, AnnieSelman.

Enterprise: Brandi Beeson, Nicole Floyd.

Loyd Star: Caroline Burke, Ashton Williams,Amber Restivo.

North Pike: Erin Boyd, Haley Boyd, CatherineWest.

Wesson: Channelle McCrory, Brittany Smith,Millie Smith.

West Lincoln: Dana King, Britnee Smith.