The closest category was the Jones Ready Mix Most Valuable Player honor, with the fan vote being the determining factor as each of the five nominees earned a vote from coaches and C-P staff. The winner, by a handful of votes, is Columbia Academy’s Taylor Berard.
The two-way star pitched 57 1/3 innings in the circle for CA last fall, striking out 25 batters against 28 walks with a 4.88 ERA and a 6-1 win-loss record. At the plate, she was a catalyst for the Lady Cougars offense and hit for a .366 average with 14 RBI, 31 runs scored, six doubles, two triples and two home runs. Additionally, she far and away led CA with 24 stolen bases.
Finishing a close second is West Marion’s Gracie Odom.
Voting was split into a fan vote and ballots cast by Marion County head coaches, C-P Publisher Joshua Campbell and C-P Sports Editor Jackson Howell. The award winners will have their picture taken with their award sponsor for a future edition of the C-P.
