Williams battled injury to earn Limestone MVP honors

Published 7:00 am Sunday, June 22, 2014

East Limestone’s softball team may not have reached the playoffs this season, but that doesn’t mean the Indians don’t have talent on their roster. Look no further than sophomore Brittany Williams, who was voted MVP, by Limestone County School softball coaches last month.

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“She is a hitting machine. She’s been a .350 to .380 hitter her entire career,” said East Limestone head coach Brett Nave. “She’s pretty much had a full career already, as a sophomore.”

Williams has started for East since she was in the seventh grade. One of the best all-around players in the area, she batted .354 with 28 hits, including 12 doubles. What is most impressive about Williams is her consistency at the plate. The sophomore only struck out three times all season.

While her numbers might not be record-breaking, Williams had one of the best all-around seasons in the area — all while playing injured most of the season.

“I had a torn meniscus all year,” said Williams. “I dove for a ball up the middle, landed on my kneecap and tore my meniscus. But I caught it. It hurt. I couldn’t bend it or straighten it any. I played almost the whole season with it torn.” That injury occurred March 7 in a James Clemens tournament.

“She would normally have 30 steals and 20 doubles,” said Nave. “She was limited running the bases and doubles were now singles, but she still had a good year. Her movements were just limited a little bit.”

Williams rebounded quickly and only missed three games. When she returned, the sophomore was still prolific at the plate, but limited in her base running.

“It mainly effected her base running, because she could fly (before),” said Nave. “It was unique to have to run for her, because she was my best base runner most of the time. It was an odd situation.”

Williams has five sisters, four of whom will play for Nave next year at East Limestone. One of her sisters already plays softball at East while two others — twins — will start at pitcher and first base for the Indians next season.

“I had four on one team before,” said Nave. “They are a ball-playing family, 24 hours a day. The whole family is that way, playing 350 days a year probably.”

Williams had a successful surgery on her knee and has already returned to the field where she is busy playing for her summer-ball team.

2014 MVP:

Brittany Williams-East Limestone

First Team:

Morgan Hughes-Ardmore

Miranda Mitchell-Ardmore

Marissa Barnes-Clements

Alysia Anderson-Clements

Kaleigh Tribble-East Limestone

Brandi Bentley-Elkmont

Rebekah Inman-Elkmont

Kailynn Pressnell-Tanner

Tesslynn Howard-West Limestone

Second Team:

Stratton Hobbs-Ardmore

Alexus Morrison-Ardmore

Danielle Scholl-Clements

Daraisha McCullough-Clements

Preslee Powers-East Limestone

Stephanie Peek-Elkmont

Chelsie Vining-Elkmont

Hope Dildine-West Limestone

Breanna Tarpley-West Limestone

Honorable Mention:

Cayla Dendy-Clements

Karlie Turner-Clements

Haley Riddle-East Limestone

Kasie Suttles-East Limestone

Autumn Davis-Elkmont

Kirstin Brown-Tanner

Kari Elliott-Tanner

Madison Hastings-West Limestone