Chilton County lands five players on softball All-State teams
Published 11:43 am Thursday, July 7, 2022
Chilton County High School’s Marlie Giles was named a Class 6A first-team All-State selection. (BRANDON SUMRALL | SPECIAL)
Thorsby High School’s Makinley Turner was named a Class 2A first-team All-State selection. (BRANDON SUMRALL | SPECIAL)
Chilton County High School’s Macey Pierce was named a Class 6A second-team All-State selection. (BRANDON SUMRALL | SPECIAL)
Thorsby High School’s Lindsey Burnett was named a Class 2A second-team All-State selection. (BRANDON SUMRALL | SPECIAL)
Chilton County High School’s Emma Deason was named a Class 6A All-State honorable mention. (BRANDON SUMRALL | SPECIAL)
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By Carey Reeder | Staff Writer
Chilton County High School’s Marlie Giles, Macey Pierce and Emma Deason and Thorsby High School’s Makinley Turner and Lindsey Burnett were named to the 2022 Alabama Sports Writers Association All-State softball teams.
Giles was named a Class 6A first-team All-State selection as an infielder. Pierce was a second-team selection on the team as a utility player, and Deason was an honorable mention as a pitcher.
Giles, who will play softball at the University of Alabama this upcoming season, batted .453 and slugged 1.067 at the plate with a whopping 1.584 OPS. She had 34 hits, 31 RBIs, 11 home runs and seven doubles in a season that was delayed for her due to injury.
Only a freshman, Pierce hit for a .420 average with a massive 1.296 OPS. She tallied 60 hits, 43 RBIs, 15 doubles and 12 home runs during the 2022 season.
Deason was a force inside the circle for the Tigers during the 2022 season posting a 1.83 ERA in 34 appearances with 69 strikeouts and allowed a .258 batting average. She had a .284 batting average at the plate with a .817 OPS and 33 hits, 23 RBIs and 10 doubles.
On the Class 2A All-State teams, Thorsby collected two spots in Turner and Burnett.
“I am beyond excited and blessed to be able to see them get the recognition that they deserve for their hard work and dedication,” Thorsby coach Holly Matson said. “They are both so deserving of earning All-State titles.”
Tuner landed a spot on the first team as a pitcher selection. Turner pitched 134 and one-third innings for the Rebels striking out 225 batters. Turner made an impact at the plate for Thorsby as well batting .500 and posting 46 hits, 39 RBIs, nine doubles and four home runs with a 1.464 OPS.
“I expect Makinley to come out strong and be a solid leader for our Lady Rebels because she is determined to be the best that she can be not only for herself, but for her team as well,” Matson said. “Makinley is very determined, and I know that she will shine next season just as she did this past season. We are looking forward to having her for two more seasons.”
Burnett, an LSU-Eunice signee, made her last season at Thorsby one to remember landing on the second All-State team. Burnett held a .432 average at the plate during the season with 48 hits, 51 RBIs, 16 doubles and six home runs. Burnett was also the other pitcher the Rebels relied on throughout much of the 2022 season.
“Lindsey will be missed as a leader, teammate, and friend to many girls on our team,” Matson said. “There is no doubt that she will be remembered for her perseverance and for the passion she has for the game. She gave 100% effort no matter what position she played, and you could truly see that she loved what she was doing.”
Turner and Burnett helped lead Thorsby to an area championship, their regional tournament and fourth place finish in the Class 2A state tournament.
