By Kevin Eckleberry

kevin.eckleberry@lagrangenews.com

The future of the LaGrange High softball program appears to be a bright one, and Camden Smith is a big reason why.

Beginning with her first game as a varsity player, Smith showed she had what it took to excel on the high-school stage when she tossed a one-hitter in a 5-0 victory over Callaway.

Smith continued to have her way with opposing hitters for the rest of the season as she helped lead LaGrange to a winning record and a third-place finish during the regular season in Region 5-AAAA.

Smith, on the heels of her banner freshman season, was one of three LaGrange players to earn a spot on the all-region team.

While Smith was a first-team selection, Destiny Fitzpatrick and Shaq Sutton each made the second team.

Those three players were a part of a LaGrange team that finished 16-11 while going 8-4 against region opponents during the regular season.

The season ended on a disappointing note with a loss to Cedartown in the region tournament, but it was still a successful season for LaGrange.

Due in large part to the contributions of a talented group of freshmen, including Smith, LaGrange improved its win total by nine games from the 2016 season.

Smith appeared in 20 games on the mound, and she was 13-4 with a 2.06 earned run average.

For many of the games Smith pitched, Sutton was behind the plate.

Sutton, a senior catcher and outfielder, hit .339 with five doubles and 10 RBIs.

In November, Sutton signed a letter of intent to play softball at Georgia Southwestern.

Fitzpatrick, a junior outfielder, led LaGrange with a .355 batting average, and she had seven doubles and 14 RBIs.