By Kevin Eckleberry

kevin.eckleberry@lagrangenews.com

For three years, Kayla Lane has been a fixture in the Troup softball lineup, and she is coming off an exceptional junior season.

In helping lead Troup to a third-place finish in Region 5-AAAA and a spot in the state tournament, Lane enjoyed a big year at the plate, while also getting it done defensively from the shortstop position.

For her contributions to the team, Lane was one of five Troup players to earn a spot on the all-region team.

Lane and Maddie Weathers are first-team selections, Abby Taylor and Madison McCartney made the second team, and Skye Loftin is an honorable-mention pick.

Lane enjoyed two successful seasons to begin her high-school career, hitting better than .300 both years, and she was even better this fall.

Lane played in and started every game, and she hit .404 with two home runs, 13 doubles and 22 RBIs.

Lane was at her best during the most important games of the season.

In a region-playoff series against Cartersville, Lane had seven hits, including two home runs, and 13 RBIs.

In the series-clinching victory, Lane had three doubles and five RBIs, and she had a grand slam in the series as well.

Lane has one more season of high-school softball to go, and she has already decided where she wants to play after that.

Lane has announced that she plans on signing a letter of intent to play softball at Young Harris College.

Weathers’ time at Troup is already done, and she enjoyed a phenomenal career and a sensational senior season.

Weathers, a four-year starter at catcher, led the team in batting average (.415), RBIs (27) and hits (39), all while playing arguably the most demanding defensive position on the field.

Taylor also had a big season for Troup, both at the plate, and on the pitcher’s mound.

Taylor hit .386 and drove in 13 runs, and she was Troup’s top pitcher with seven wins.

McCartney hit .365 with 19 RBIs, and she was second on the team with eight doubles.

Loftin hit .325, and she was second on the team with 25 RBIs, and she and Lane tied for the team lead with two home runs.