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By Carey Reeder | Staff Writer

Jaycee Quinn of Verbena High School is The Clanton Advertiser’s softball player of the year for the 2022 season.

Quinn used a monster year to lead the Red Devils to a 22-11 record and the AHSAA Class 1A Area 6 title. Quinn bolstered the state of Alabama’s highest slugging percentage at 1.248, which ranked 123rd in the country, according to MaxPreps.com. She batted .653 and poured in 66 hits. Her batting average ranks 84th nationally, according to MaxPreps.com.

“I thought (the season) went pretty good, it was probably the best year I have had,” Quinn said. “It started off pretty good, and stayed pretty good.”

Quinn said her hitting coach gave one saying before the season she took to heart, “hit it up the middle.” The sophomore hit 33 doubles, with a good bit of those coming up the middle.

“I kept that in my head the whole season,” Quinn said.

Quinn added 43 runs scored, seven home runs, five stolen bases, three triples and an OPS of 1.927. However, Quinn also shined bright in the circle for Verbena going 15-10 for the Red Devils with a 4.06 ERA and 202 strikeouts over 119 innings pitched.

Quinn said she had more confidence after pitching well and it contributed to her performance at the plate.

“I think I got a lot better pitching-wise as well. My rise ball helped me out a lot, and just working my pitches differently,” Quinn said.  “I think I worked them a lot better than I did my other years.”

Quinn said the combination of the fast rise ball and the slow, low changeup worked well for her throughout the season.

The Verbena team was a tight-knit group this season, and Quinn said her teammates were a big help to keep her going throughout the season. She credited Jasmin Moates with helping her with hitting.

“We both are in the same hitting spot so we kind of have to do the same thing hitting, and I think we helped each other because we are right there beside each other (in the lineup),” Quinn said. “She talks to me a lot, and helps me mentally focus on the game more.”

One of Quinn’s closest friends on the team, Madison Bryant, was a senior. Quinn made it a point of emphasis to try to get to state to be able to play with Bryant as long as possible.

“I’m just really proud of my team and teammates for how we played because I think we played together really well most of the time,” Quinn said. “I really loved my team this year.”

 

2022 Clanton Advertiser All-County Softball Team

Jaycee Quinn, Verbena, sophomore: .653 AVG, 66 hits, 33 doubles, 7 HR, 1.247 SLG, 1.927 OPS, 4.06 ERA, 15-10, 202 K’s in 119 IP

Madison Bryant, Verbena, senior: .506 AVG, 44 hits, 20 RBIs, 12 doubles,.747 SLG, 1.341 OPS, 11 SB, 7-1, 1.08 ERA 62 K’s in 39 IP

Jasmin Moates, Verbena, sophomore: .543 AVG, 44 hits, 27 RBIs, 14 doubles,.790 SLG, 1.416 OPS, 6 SB, .993 fielding percentage

Laliah Benjamin, Verbena, senior: .421 AVG, 32 hits, 19 RBI, 10 doubles, .552 SLG, 1.023 OPS, 10 SB, .911 fielding percentage

Kiara Ray, Verbena, freshman: .430 AVG, 37 hits, 23 RBIs, 8 double, .604 SLG, 1.134 OPS, 7 SB, .986 fielding percentage

Lindsey Burnett, Thorsby, senior: .432 AVG, 48 hits, 51 RBIs, 16 doubles, 6 HRs, .792 SLG, 1.277 OPS, 53 IP, 51 K’s

Autumn Edwards, Thorsby, senior: .559 AVG, 57 hits, 44 RBIs, 10 doubles, .852 SLG, 1.453 OPS

Makinley Turner, Thorsby, sophomore: .500 AVG, 46 hits, 39 RBIs, 9 doubles, 4 HRs, .858 SLG, 1.464 OPS, 134.1 IP, 225 K’s

Cameron Lockhart, Thorsby, senior: .435 AVG, 47 hits, 22 RBIs, 14 doubles, .583 SLG, 1.087 OPS

Brooklyn Reeser, Thorsby, freshman: .423 AVG, 47 hits, 21 RBIs, 4 doubles, .495 SLG, .999 OPS

Macey Pierce, Chilton County High School, freshman: .420 AVG, .790 SLG, 1.296 OPS, 60 hits, 43 RBIs, 15 doubles, 1 triple, 12 HRs

Ty’eisha Williams, Chilton County High School, junior: .428 AVG, .696 SLG, 1.179 OPS, 59 hits, 34 RBIs, 19 doubles, 6 HRs

Marlie Giles, Chilton County High School, senior: .453 AVG, 1.067 SLG, 1.584 OPS, 34 hits, 31 RBIs, 7 doubles, 3 triples, 11 HRs

Josie Cornell, Chilton County High School, sophomore: .403 AVG, .597 SLG, 1.034 OPS, 27 hits, 23 RBIs, 8 doubles, 1 triple, 1 HR

Emma Deason, Chilton County High School, senior: .284 AVG, .817 OPS, 33 hits, 23 RBIs, 10 doubles, 1 triple, 34 pitching appearances, 1.83 ERA, 69 K’s, .258 BAA

Kristin Wilson, Isabella, senior: .351 AVG, .512 OBP, 4 HRs and .952 fielding percentage

Gracie Fjeldstad, Isabella, senior: .329 AVG, .513 OBP, 4 HRs

Anna Johnson, Isabella, 8th Grade: .460 AVG, .522 OBP, 2 HRs and .872 fielding percentage

Amelia Fjeldstad, Isabella, sophomore: .354 AVG, .495 OBP and .923 fielding percentage

Kinsley Martin, Jemison, junior: .423 AVG, .767 SLG, 1.316 OPS, 34 runs scored, 41 hits, 22 RBIs 9 doubles, 5 HRs, .943 fielding percentage

Bella Gilliland, Jemison, senior: .343 AVG, .725 OPS, 20 runs scored, 35 hits, 3 SB, .957 fielding percentage

Makayla Lang, Jemison, junior: .291 AVG, .694 OPS, 13 runs scored, 23 hits, 20 RBIs, 3 SB, .898 fielding percentage

Braelyn Bradford, Jemison, freshman: .277 AVG, 26 hits, 21 RBIs, .857 fielding percentage

Lexi Smith, Maplesville, junior: .314 AVG, .419 OBP, 136 IP, 92 K’s

Emilee Smith, Maplesville, senior: .321 AVG, .450 OBP, .952 fielding percentage

Avery Reed, Maplesville, senior: .330 AVG, .400 OBP, .894 fielding percentage

Jayla Nix, Maplesville, senior: .340 AVG, .451 OBP, .933 fielding percentage

Laci Cook, Maplesville, junior: .362 AVG, .431 OBP, .991 fielding percentage