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SM softball players receive state honors
Smoky Mountain rising senior Cassie Randall has been named to the 2-A all-state softball team by ncfastpitch.org, an organization of high school coaches.
Teammate Megan Taylor, anther rising senior, earned honorable mention all-state from the group.
“It is such an honor, and it made me so happy,” Randall said “I didn’t know what to think at first. It makes me feel even more special because the coaches picked the team and thought enough of me to vote for me.”
Randall was the Lady Mustangs’ catcher this past season after playing primarily in the outfield her first two years. She batted .341 with six doubles, 10 RBIs, a .418 slugging percentage and a .446 on-base average.
Speaking of her honorable mention selection, Taylor said, “It was good to hear. It was kind of shocking I guess.”
Taylor batted .374 with six doubles, three triples and a home run. She had 20 RBIs, a .538 slugging percentage and a .392 on-base average.
As a pitcher, Taylor had 172 strikeouts in 125 innings and a 1.01 ERA.
The Lady Mustangs had the best season in the program’s history as they reached the state 2-A Final Four.
“It makes a big difference when your team wins,” Coach Tony Quinn said. “Winning at the right time and going to the Final Four makes many of these honors happen, including coach of the year for Western North Carolina. Cassie and Megan are great softball players, but it’s more noticeable when your team does well.”
The WNC coach of the year was an honor won by Quinn.
Taylor was first team All-WNC, and Randall was named to the second team.
Receiving All-WNC honorable mention were graduated senior Brandi Anders, rising senior Brittany Gilbert, rising junior Miriam Brown and rising sophomore Trish Brooks.
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