Randolph Hub's 2024 All-Randolph County Softball Team

ASHEBORO — If a resident of Randolph County was hoping to take a trip around the state in order to find the best high school softball, that person might make a quick stop in Davidson, Stanly and Wilkes counties. 

But after a trip that went from Murphy to Manteo to Dare to Brunswick counties, an old saying from “The Wizard of Oz”  would be clearly heard: “There’s no place like home.”

Randolph County very well may be the mecca when it comes to softball in the state of North Carolina, which is what makes choosing The Randolph Hub All-County Softball Team so difficult. 

Once again during the 2024 season, there were an incredible number of individuals, teams and coaches who stood out and could certainly be included for this honor.

There are a few things to remember when going through this list. In order for a student-athlete to be eligible, she first had to be nominated by her head coach. In addition, this team was named after the completion of the entire season, not the regular season like each conference does. Finally, sportsmanship and being a team player are just as important as hitting home runs, driving in runs or making sensational plays in the field.

Player of the Year 

Southwestern Randolph HIgh School’s Macie Crutchfield is a special talent. One of the most impressive hurlers in the state, she led the Cougars to the state 2-A championship with stellar pitching and a strong offensive showing at the plate. She was 17-4 with a 0.581 ERA, pitching 168 ⅔ innings while giving up 14 earned runs. She recorded 10 shutouts and struck out 221, walking 37. No one, many people say, spins the ball like her. There were plenty of runners on base, but few worked their way around to score as she was toughest in the game’s toughest moments. A fierce competitor, she also hit .294 with 17 RBIs, including .405 with runners in scoring position. 

Coach of the Year

When the Cougars lost three games in the final week of the regular season, not many believed SWR could accomplish what they did in the postseason. But Toby Strider — who was officially in his first year as head coach but had many years of coaching experience — kept the girls focused and goal-driven for the playoffs, and the Cougars fought back to win the state title. Overall, SWR finished 24-7, winning the PAC Tournament championship and then an incredibly thrilling 2-1 13-inning game in Game 2 of the West Regional finals over North Stanly to stay alive. 

A 13-0 win over Midway in Game 1 of the state championship series was followed by a 3-2 win when the Cougars scored twice in the bottom of the seventh inning with two outs for the victory. An unforgettable season.

All-County Team

MADELYN SMITH (SWR) — The Cougars’ leadoff hitter did everything for her team. She hit .429 with 27 runs scored — including the state title-clinching score — and had 33 stolen bases and was perfect in the field. She was stellar in the playoffs, recording key hit after key hit.

ALYSSA HARRIS (SWR) — Thrust into the shortstop position because of an injury, she thrived as the season went along. She has an incredibly strong arm and very good range. She hit .351 with 24 RBIs and 23 runs scored. She stole seven bases and added two home runs. She came up with a number of clutch hits throughout the season and in the playoffs.

MADDIE STRIDER (SWR) — The Cougars’ coach on the field, she contributed in so many ways. She had 22 runs scored and 20 RBIs with 13 stolen bases, all the while shining from the catcher position, where she had a 1.000 fielding percentage. She allowed just one passed ball the entire season. Those who dared attempt to steal usually walked back to the dugout as she threw out more than 70 percent of runners. 

KAMI DUNN (SWR) — The Cougars’ third baseman came up big time and time again. She finished with 10 extra-base hits, 17 RBIs, 17 runs scored and 12 stolen bases. She was extraordinary at hitting behind the runners and her two-out base hit that provided the Cougars with the game-tying and game-winning runs in the state championship-clinching win will be remembered for a long time. 

KENZIE HILL (UCA) — She finished with a .522 batting average, a .569 OBP and a .913 slugging percentage. She had two home runs, 22 RBIs and stole 23 bases. A strong defensive player as well, she was a finalist for Player of the Year.

MOLLIE BULLA (UCA) — After another incredible season on the mound, she was named the PAC Pitcher of the Year to lead the Eagles to the regular season PAC title. She finished 17-3-1 with a 1.50 ERA and 230 strikeouts. She held opposing hitters to a .206 batting average while providing plenty of support at the plate for her team. She hit .371 with a .542 OBP, had a .771 slugging percentage and hit three home runs. She is headed to Appalachian State.

KATELYN WEST (UCA) — The sophomore batted .389 with 28 hits on the season. She scored 11 times and had 16 RBIs for the PAC regular-season champions. She added 10 extra-base hits with eight doubles and a home run included.

ADDISON ALLEN (AHS) — Allen was the primary pitcher for the Blue Comets this year, seeing action behind the plate as well. She earned both wins for AHS on the mound while hitting .306 with a .419 OBP and a perfect 1.000 fielding percentage.

DEVIN KELLY (PG) — Kelly finished the season with 26 hits, 28 runs scored and 18 RBIs. She had seven extra-base hits and recorded 10 stolen bases. She has the abilities of a slap hitter who drives the gaps. She will play at Pfeiffer in the fall.

CALLIE LAMBERT (PG) — She put up very impressive numbers in her sophomore season, hitting .431 with 24 RBIs, six doubles, two triples and four home runs. She was a clutch performer offensively, coming up with numerous big hits.

CARMEN TURGEON (WHS) — She hit .373 with 17 RBIs and a .522 OBP. She had a very impressive .499 slugging percentage from the leadoff spot. The only senior on the team, she had 14 stolen bases and threw 87 innings in the circle for the Warriors. She had 99 strikeouts. She will play at Limestone in the fall.

MADDIE NICHOLS (WHS) — The junior, who missed all of last season with a knee injury, led the Warriors with a .480 batting average, recording 24 hits, 13 for extra bases. She had 20 RBIs, a .581 OBP and .880 slugging percentage.

KARRINGTON BATTEN (THS) — The junior first baseman was at her best in league play as she hit a robust .444 in league action. She was counted on both in the field, at the plate and for her leadership abilities.

ADDIE FLINCHUM (ER) — The PAC Player of the Year, she could be dominant on the mound for the Wildcats, finishing with a 7-4 record with a 1.01 ERA. She hurled 103⅓ innings, allowing just 49 hits and 15 earned runs. She struck out 196 on the season. Offensively, she hit .429 with 27 hits, 16 runs scored and 17 RBIs. She had nine doubles and three home runs and was a finalist for Player of the Year.

AYANNA MEARS (ER) — The Wildcats’ senior shortstop was not only incredible in the field, but she was a key to the offense with a .400 batting average. She had 12 RBIs and seven extra-base hits. She will be playing at NC A&T in the fall.

ZIERA WATSON (ER) — The senior outfielder hit .389 with 28 hits, 21 runs scored and 15 RBIs. She had three doubles, two triples and 11 stolen bases and was one of the leaders on a very experienced ER team.

KINZIE IVEY (RHS) — A freshman with a very bright future, she was 9-6 with a 3.00 ERA on the mound, hurling 95⅔ innings. She surrendered just 68 hits while striking out 117. Offensively, she hit .383 with 23 hits, 12 RBIs and she smacked four home runs. She has a very high softball IQ.

ADDYSON DEES (RHS) — This freshman hit .369 with 24 hits and 11 RBIs. She started the season at third base but was moved to shortstop after an injury. She played like a veteran and is going to be a big part of the Tigers’ future. She also hit one home run.

KAYLEE PHILLIPS (RHS) — She was the Tigers’ catcher, but with an incredibly strong arm, she was moved to third after an injury to a teammate. Another of the talented freshmen on the team, she hit .317 with 20 hits and 18 RBIs for the Tigers. She hit in the cleanup spot and added a home run.

HONORABLE MENTION

Hayleigh Thompson (SWR), Nautica Parrish (SWR), Aubrey Kaufman (UCA), Jayla Hurley (UCA), Gracie Smith (UCA), Emory Johnson (UCA), Kaylie St. John (RHS), Logann Beaver (ER), Wynne Bartholow (ER), Ruby Caudle (PG), Gracie Smith (PG).