Steady as the rising and the setting of the sun, Wesson’s Abbey Smith and Macie McQuage anchored the Lady Cobras in their best-ever campaign. Seniors Smith and McQuage took care of business as a pitcher and catcher respectively each inning before pounding hits to all corners of the ballpark when it was their turn to bat.

The Wesson duo directed their team to the Class 2A South State Championship series. They are recognized as Most Valuable Offensive Players on the Daily Leader’s 2013 All-Area Fastpitch Softball Team.

“Macie and Abbey ran the show and they did a good job of it,” said Wesson coach Jackie Johnson. “They were our leaders on offense and defense.”

Macie McQuage, a 5-8 senior, called the pitches when Smith was on the mound. They rarely disagreed.

At the plate, McQuage batted a team-best .443. She scored 35 runs, hit 6 doubles, 2 triples and a home run. She uses a Demarini CF5 bat to do her damage against opponents.

“Everybody was on the same page this season,” said McQuage. She ranked third in her class. Math is her favorite subject.

“Macie is a smart player and she knows what to call,” said Smith.

McQuage, who plays slow and fastpitch, wears jersey No. 10. She plans to attend Copiah-Lincoln Community College and pursue a career in nursing.

 Abbey Smith,  a 5-9 hurler, bats and throws right-handed, just like her teammate. She batted .442 this season, collecting 38 hits and scoring 28 runs. She hit 6 doubles and 3 triples this season.

Smith prefers an Easton Stealth bat, measuring 33 inches and weighing 23 ounces. She has signed a scholarship with Meridian Community College.

She pitched every game in Wesson’s 21-8 campaign. The Lady Cobras lost to Enterprise-Clarke in the South State finals.

“Abbey has a lot of control with her pitches,” said Coach Johnson. “She does a good job hitting her spots.”

Smith, who wears jersey No. 44, said she wants to obtain a degree in secondary education and coach softball after she graduates. An honor roll student, her favorite subject is math.

She said this season was special. “I am going to miss my teammates. We were kind of like a big family. There were no bad attitudes.”

McQuage described her teammate. “Abbey always tries her best. She’s real laid back.”

Asked about the opposition this season, Smith and McQuage said Enterprise-Clarke and Lawrence County were the toughest teams they faced.

Smith said playing for Coach Johnson was a good experience. “She pushed us to get better each game.”

Both girls like the Atlanta Braves and retired star Chipper Jones. On the collegiate softball level, Smith likes to follow Alabama. McQuage likes Oklahoma, the latest national champion.