Corner(ing) the market on scholarships
By Charles Prince
The North Jefferson News
HANCEVILLE — Wallace State-Hanceville head softball coach Jayne Clem added a dozen new players to her roster on Sunday afternoon, including two Corner seniors—Ashley Tolbert and Haley Anderson.
Just days earlier, Corner’s Elizabeth Allred signed with Wallace State-Dothan.
Tolbert and Allred were named to the 2007 Alabama Sports Writers Association Class 4A All-State team. All three players were named to the 2007 All-North Jefferson softball team.
Tolbert hit .387 as a junior with 46 RBIs, 22 stolen bases, 45 runs scored and 13 doubles. Anderson hit .314 with 37 RBIs, 39 runs scored, 10 doubles and six home runs in 2007.
Allred went 20-10 as a pitcher with 2.00 ERA and 233 strikeouts in 189 innings. She hit .396 with 57 RBIs and 38 runs scored with 13 doubles last year.
Clem said she was impressed with Tolbert’s defensive skills.
“She can really go and get the ball with her speed in the outfield,” Clem said. “She can run down balls that should have been extra base hits in the gap and turn them into outs.”
Clem thinks Anderson will become a solid player at the plate for her club.
“She’s got size and good power,” Clem said. “When a girl has those physical assets, when can turn them into a good hitter at the college level.”
Clem plans to use Tolbert in the outfield exclusively, but she said she might try Anderson at third base or in the outfield.
Wallace-Dothan head coach Gene Dews said he expects Allred to have a good college career.
“We’re expecting her to come in and play for us right away as a freshman,” Dews said. “She’s got the potential to be an outstanding college player, both as a pitcher and as a hitter. We’re expecting big things from her.”
Dews said Allred will be used at both the plate and in the pitching circle, but he thinks her future beyond the community college level is in the circle.
“She definitely has the talent to go onto the four-year college level,” he said. “I’m expecting her to get to the four-level primarily due to her pitching. I think she can have a lot of success as a college pitcher.”
The trio has helped the Lady Jackets to the state tournament in Montgomery during both their sophomore and junior seasons.