On paper, Brooke Delaughter’s fastpitch softball statistics makeher look like a powerful, muscular giant. In reality, theattractive 5-foot-5, blue-eyed Loyd Star junior resembles either acheerleader or homecoming queen.

Delaughter’s pitching skills are recognized across the MagnoliaState and she swings a mean bat, too. She was instrumental inleading Loyd Star’s Lady Hornets to the MHSAA Class 2A StateSoftball Championship two weeks ago.

For her accomplishments, Delaughter has been selected The DAILYLEADER’s Most Valuable Player on the 2009 All-Area FastpitchSoftball Team. With that honor comes the title of MissSoftball.

Fastpitch enjoyed a high level of success in southwestMississippi. Loyd Star catcher Haley Sones has been named the DL’sDefensive Player of the Year and Bogue Chitto’s Kelli Howard is theOffensive Player of the Year.

Joining the talented trio on the DL’s Dream Team are pitcherBrianna Brister of North Pike, catchers Shelby Mitchell of LawrenceCounty, Karla Beth Hux of Enterprise and Darcy Miller of BogueChitto.

The infielders are Sabrina Delaughter and Hannah Lowman ofBrookhaven, Allie Harris of Lawrence County, Carrie Moak of LoydStar and Josie Porter of Bogue Chitto.

Outfielders are Calleye Douglas and Karah Smith of Loyd Star,Casey Risher of Brookhaven and Samantha Johnston and Hali Sasser ofNorth Pike.

Designated hitters are Lindsay Clark of McComb Parklane Academy,Emily Smith of Loyd Star, Jessica Haynes of Wesson and CaseyRischer of Brookhaven.

Utility players are Kacey Smith of Franklin County, StevieWright of Brookhaven, Brittany Beeson of Loyd Star, Erika Rutlandof Enterprise and Ashley McCaffery of West Lincoln.

DL Sports Department members compiled the Dream Team, with inputprovided by area high school and college coaches.

Brooke Delaughter compiled a 28-1-1 worksheet as the LadyHornets marched to the state title and 31-1-1 record. She compileda stingy 0.91 ERA, striking out 236 batters and walking 38 in 192innings.

At the plate, she batted .353, accounting for a team-best 32RBIs. She hit 8 doubles and had a .451 slugging percentage.

“Brooke put a lot of pressure on herself this year,” said hermother, Loyd Star coach Jan Delaughter. “She worked hard to improveher pitching and batting skills.”

Delaughter, who celebrates her 18th birthday July 26, tookprivate pitching lessons from Coach Bobby Waterbury at his facilitylocated in Clinton. She credited him with improving her skills andpitching arsenal.

“Coach Waterbury helped me learn more about spotting the ball.My dropball, curveball and riseball developed more from August toDecember.”

She developed tendonitis in her right elbow but it didn’t stopher from practicing. “I pitched at home every day.”

Asked about the championship march, Delaughter said, “I had areal solid defense behind me. That gave me confidence.”

Sones has been catching Delaughter since the seventh grade.”Haley is a great catcher and she doesn’t mind getting dirty. Ifeel very confident having her behind the plate. If I throw a badpitch, she is going to block it.”

How does it feel having your mother for a coach?

Delaughter smiled and said, “I like having my mom for a coach.She pushes me hard to get better. She’s an excellent coach,too.”

On the field, she wears jersey No. 18, honoring her olderbrother, Matthew, who was a standout football and baseball playerat Loyd Star, later playing fullback for Co-Lin CommunityCollege.

Haley Sones, a 6-foot senior, could have played either softballor basketball at Co-Lin but she chose softball. She also plays thedrum in Loyd Star’s band and will do the same at Co-Lin. She woreNo. 13 in basketball and softball.

Sones batted .348 her senior year, hitting 3 home runs. She had21 RBIs, 8 doubles and 5 triples.

“I love playing catcher,” said Sones. “Brooke made me a bettercatcher. We work together every day.”

Prior to games, Delaughter throws a black, weighted softballduring warmups. “When she starts throwing with the regular ball,it’s like SWISH! I learned to have quick reflexes.”

Sones said she plans to pursue a career in either athletictraining or coaching at Co-Lin.

Kelli Howard, a 5-10 senior, sparkled as a pitcher and a hitter.She batted .467 for the Lady ‘Cats sparking them to the South State1A championship series against East Webster, the eventual statechamp. She drove in 34 runs, hit 2 homers and 6 triples.

“Kelli was a great hitter for us this year,” said Bogue Chittocoach Scott Leggett. “I used her in the No. 2 hole. She drove in alot of runs this year.”

She uses a 33-inch, 23-ounce Easton Stealth bat.

Asked about her approach to batting, Howard said, “I just seethe ball and try to put it in play. I like the fastball.”

Like Sones and Delaughter, she played for Southern Ice lastsummer, a travel team coached by Co-Lin team members.

Within the circle, Howard was extremely effective, too. Shecompiled a 16-4 record and a 1.45 ERA. She struck out 86 battersand walked 31 in 124 innings.

Howard said she plans to become a dental hygienist and willpursue that curriculum while she’s playing softball at Co-Lin.

Brianna Brister, a freshman, compiled a 14-5 record for NorthPike’s Lady Jaguars, directing them to the Class 3A statechampionship series against Nettleton. They lost an extra-inning,heart-breaker in the opener and were eliminated in 2 games.

Brister notched an 0.78 ERA, striking out 102 batters andwalking 62 in 108 innings as the Coach Sonya Wallace’s teamfinished 24-9 overall and 7-1 in Division 7-3A. Brister also batted.254.

Shelby Mitchell, a sophomore, posted a .481 batting average atLawrence County as the Lady Cougars captured the Division 6-4Acrown. She threw out 9 batters during their 11-10 season underfirst-year coach Courtney Shivers.

Karla Beth Hux, a sophomore, batted .348 for the Enterprise LadyYellow Jackets. She hit 2 homers for Coach Steve Sasser’s squadthat advanced to the Class 2A state playoffs.

Darcy Miller, a sophomore, batted .429, with 30 RBIs and 1homer.

Sabrina Delaughter, a senior, batted .360 for Coach ChadWalker’s Lady Panthers who were Division 6-4A runners-up.

Josie Porter, a sophomore, batted .462 for the Lady ‘Cats andhad a team-high 42 RBIs. She hit 2 homers, 7 triples and 6doubles.

Carrie Moak, a junior, batted .388 for the Lady Hornets. She had29 RBIs and 1 home run, it coming in the state championship seriesagainst Hamilton.

Allie Harris, a sophomore, batted .351 for the LCHS LadyCougars.

Hannah Lowman, a senior, batted .481 for the Lady Panthers.

Calleye Douglas, a senior, batted .271 for the Lady Hornets.

Hali Sasser, a senior, batted .262 for the Lady Jaguars.

Samantha Johnston, an eighth grader, batted .382 for the LadyJaguars.

Karah Smith, a junior, batted .395 for the Lady Hornets.

Lindsay Clark, a senior first baseman, batted .489 for ParklaneAcademy. She had 8 triples, 10 doubles and 4 homers for CoachDwight Stockton’s Parklane Pioneers who finished 22-9 and fourth inthe Class AAA State Tournament. She has signed with SouthwestMississippi Community College.

Emily Smith, a junior, batted .405 for the Lady Hornets.

Jessica Haynes, a senior, batted .373 for Coach TiffaniFerguson’s Lady Cobras, helping them to the Class 2A stateplayoffs.

Casey Risher, a senior, batted .461 for the Lady Panthers. She’sa Co-Lin signee.

Kacey Smith, a junior, batted .426, for Coach Dana Smith’s LadyBulldogs. As a pitcher, she recorded 84 strikeouts.

Stevie Wright, a junior, batted .437 for Coach Walker’s LadyPanthers.

Ashley McCaffery, a junior, batted .363 for Coach Andrew Redd’sLady Bears.

Brittany Beeson, a senior, batted .359 for the Lady Hornets. Sheanchored the infield at third base and has signed with Co-Lin.

Erika Rutland, a senior, batted .275 for the Lady Jackets. Shescored 24 runs and has signed with Co-Lin.

HONORABLE MENTION

Bogue Chitto: Blaine Myers, Bradi Davis, Toy Smith.

Brookhaven: Christen Benson, Sarah Ayers, Brooke Hosick.

Brookhaven Academy: Shelby Farmer, Laura Beth Wright, MollieSmith, Anna Katelyn Mangold.

Enterprise: Kolbi Lewis, Ashley Greer, Chynna Coghlan.

Franklin County: Kierra Collins, Taylor Stewart, Desireee Buie,Morgan Knapp.

Loyd Star: Natalie Keene, Sarah Falvey, Brittany Wallace.

North Pike: Lauren Wells, Savannah Johnston, Kelsey Lord.

Wesson: Marley McCardle, Shauntay Walker, Abbey Smith.

West Lincoln: Keri Easley, Shelby Lofton, Haley Ainsworth.