Karla Hice had a team-high 62 hits, 19 doubles, 67 RBIs and 14 home runs.

For the second time in three years, a group of underclassman helped Ardmore reach the Alabama High School Athletic Association state softball tournament in Montgomery.

Ardmore came up a few games short of winning the 5A state titles once again, but not without a tremendous effort from the entire team. One of those youngsters stood apart from all others in the county and was voted the top player in Limestone County by the county’s six head softball coaches.

Karla Hice is the 2017 Limestone County MVP after leading the county in several statistical categories this season.

“Her work ethic is what sets her apart. I know coaches say that all the time, but it’s true about Karla,” said Ardmore head softball coach Stephen Baugh. “When I was a baseball coach here a few years ago, we were out early on Saturday morning and I saw her out there on her own. After games, she will work on throwing or doing hitting lessons.”

The sophomore had a team-high 62 hits, 19 doubles, 67 RBIs and 14 home runs. She finished the year with a .477 batting average and scored 54 runs. Although just a sophomore, this is the second Limestone County MVP honor for Hice, who was named the county’s top player as an eighth grader in 2015.

“She leads by work ethic. Once she starts becoming a vocal leader, that will make us that much better,” said Baugh. “She hit twice as many home runs from last year. She could very well hit 20 or more next season.”

As the home runs stack up, so does interest from college softball coaches around the country. Even though she won’t be eligible to play collegiate softball until spring 2020, Hice is already committed to the University of Alabama. As it turns out, committing several years in advance is not uncommon in softball with some of the top prospects committing as young as 14-years-old.

“Softball recruiting is different,” said Baugh. “The way softball works out, big time programs get them early.”

It’s not just her impressive batting numbers that has attracted college scouts. Hice is one of the state’s top catchers, a position she has excelled at on the varsity team for the past three years.

“People don’t steal on her,” said Baugh. “In Montgomery (at state) they did some, but that’s about the only time. It’s reassuring knowing that she isn’t going to make any mistakes back there. I love having her on the team.”

As a freshman Hice was named to the 2016 All-State honorable mention team. The 2017 All-State softball team will be released in June.

All-County Softball Team

All-County 1^st Team:

L.B. Smith-Ardmore

Sydney Hall-Ardmore

LeLe Anderson-Clements

Anslee Gordon-Clements

Olivia Crouch-East Limestone

Kaileigh Tribble-East Limestone

Haven Kirby-Elkmont

Patience Troupe-Tanner

Raegan Clem-West Limestone

Breanna Tarpley-West Limestone

All-County 2^nd Team:

Addison Hurst-Ardmore

Mackenzie McCormack-Ardmore

Abby Craig-Clements

Mallory Jo Mitchell-East Limestone

Autumn Davis-Elkmont

Kinley Blankenship-Tanner

KeKe Henderson-Tanner

Hope Dildine-West Limestone

Baily Browning-West Limestone

Honorable Mention:

Madison Lewis-Ardmore

Sallie Ball-Clements

Sanders Murphree-East Limestone

Brooke Rogers-East Limestone

Malena Butler-Elkmont

Leigha Smith-Elkmont

Kailynn Pressnell-Tanner