MA lands five on all-state team, grabs Coach of the Year honors

State titles often result in personal accolades and such was the case again for the Marengo Academy Lady Longhorns.

After earning their fourth straight AISA state softball crown, the Lady Longhorns placed five players on the Alabama Sports Writers Association All-State Softball Team in 2013. Additionally, Marengo Academy coach Danny Stenz earned Coach of the Year honors for a second consecutive season.

Sophomore Andrea Edmonds made All-State for her pitching dominance, striking out 208 batters in 147 innings while working to a 1.52 ERA and a 23-2 record.

Chandler Stenz earned the All-State nod at second base. The West Alabama Watchman Player of the Year, Stenz also earned state tournament MVP honors during a junior campaign in which she hit an eye-popping .578 with a .733 slugging percentage out of the leadoff spot for the Lady Longhorns. Stenz also drove in 22 runs while going a perfect 35-for-35 in stolen base attempts.

The nine-hole hitter for Marengo Academy also made First Team All-State as senior Taylor Barley snagged one of three outfield spots on the squad. Barley used her slap-hitting talents to hit .367 and steal 17 bases while scoring 25 runs on the year.

Senior Reesa Holifield grabbed an Honorable Mention nod at catcher after hitting .373 with three homers and 27 RBIs. Two of her long balls were grand slams.

MA senior and former ASWA AISA Hitter of the Year Katie Tucker also took Honorable Mention attention after a season in which she hit .447 with a .713 slugging percentage to go along with three homers and 35 RBIs.