By MICHAEL MURRAY

AMERICUS – Southland Academy head softball coach, John Brady, recently released the team’s players who were named All-Region for the 2016 season.
The Lady Raiders softball team had six players named to the All-Region team; Abby Dent, Savanna Swann, Olivia Perry, Holly McCain, Brittany Tyler, and Sarah Beth Storey.
“We didn’t have any All-State players, unfortunately,” Brady told the Times-Recorder. “I felt like we had one, maybe two, that should have been on there, but they didn’t get the votes… It was very disappointing for me…”
The Lady Raiders had one honorable mention All-Region player for region 3-AAA as well, Kaitlyn Smith.
Smith and Dent were also selected to participate in the All-Star game, which Brady describes as a “very big honor”. Dent and Swann were also voted team captains by their teammates.
Swann maintained a .356 batting average throughout the season, with a .638 on-base percentage. Swann contributed 14 stolen bases and scored 20 runs, leading the team in both categories.
Dent held onto a .320 batting average on the season and ranked second on the team in RBIs, with 12. Dent also crossed the plate 10 times and drew 10 walks, leading the team in both categories.
Brady went on to say that Dent “was the biggest leader on our team. She did a great job of leading us this year.”
Smith hit .333 on the season with 10 RBIs and one homerun.
Perry batted .391, which was the second-highest batting average on the team. Perry hit 14 RBIS to lead the team and contributed four doubles. Perry also scored 13 runs for the squad.
McCain batted .333, nailing 11 doubles throughout the season. “That was pretty incredible,” Brady exclaimed. “She led the team in doubles, by far.” McCain also scored 12 runs and drove in 11.
Storey hit .400 on the season while contributing 11 RBIs and 11 runs scored. “She also played really well, defensively, for us, in a couple of different positions,” Brady added.
Tyler hit .333 on the season and scored 13 runs, the second-most on the team through the season.
From the pitchers’ circle, Swann amassed an ERA of 3.5and struck out 35 batters and only walked 12 in 45 innings pitched.
Tyler pitched 46 innings, giving up only 11 walks. Tyler maintained an ERA of 1.5.