Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

The Callaway softball team was well-represented on the region 5-2A All-Region teams. There was no first team or second team this year with just one announced team. The Cavaliers had eight players honored with a selection — Kyla Harris, Ava Shuford, Kaitlyn Williams, Madison Kemp, Karlie Walker, Savannah Rice, Kinley Smith and Mackenzie Toney.

The Cavaliers two lone seniors — Harris and Shuford — made the team and will be hard to replace next season. Shuford could start at either corner infield spot but locked down third base mostly as a senior. She hit .347 and led the team with 19 RBIs this season. Harris, a regular in the outfield, hit .342 and was second on the team in RBIs (15)  this season after coming back from an ACL tear last fall. 

Callaway had three juniors make the team. Karlie Walker was a stalwart behind the plate once again, providing good defense and a steady hand for the pitchers. Fellow junior Kemp enjoyed a breakout season, hitting .289 from the plate. Williams was asked to do a little of everything for the Cavaliers this season, starting at pitcher, infield and outfield during the season. She hit .309 while leading the team in runs scored with 26.

The sophomores were well represented as well. Smith made most of her appearances at second base this season but also chipped in and helped with pitching as well. Toney got the lion’s share of work on the mound this season, pitching over 49 innings while the next highest did not even eclipse 20 innings of work in the circle. She had the lowest ERA on the team and chipped in offensively as well, hitting .289. Rice had one of the most impressive seasons for the Cavaliers, especially considering her youth. She led all starts in batting average (.408), hits (20) and doubles (10). She started the year in the outfield before finding her way to shortstop. 

Callaway finished the 2023 season 12-13 and bowed out in the super regional of the state playoffs. The Cavaliers will be in a new region next season with Jackson, Morgan County, Pike County, Rutland and Westside (Macon).