A Primer on Some of the Region’s Top Hitters This Spring
By Perry Swack
The 4th Region seems to always be in the mix at the state tournament. In each of the last three seasons, Warren East (runner-up twice) and South Warren (third place) have nearly won the whole thing. Not to mention the state titles won by Greenwood (2007, 2008, 2013) and Allen County-Scottsville (2011) in just the last 15 years. To make a deep run in the state tournament, you must have outstanding pitching of course. But furthermore, you must have timely hitting when the stakes are at their highest. With the 4th Region looking to send its champion deep into the state tournament again this year, here is a list of some players that have made a big impact from the plate this season.
Bailey Ausbrooks, Allen County-Scottsville
Bailey Ausbrooks is the region’s leader with 32 RBI (tenth in the state) and has 34 hits which ranks her fourth in the region and 13th statewide. The junior has also recorded 12 doubles (seventh in the state), while leading ACS with three triples and four home runs.
Hadley Borders, Allen County-Scottsville
Hadley Borders is a major reason why ACS is putting together one of the best offensive seasons in the state of Kentucky. Her 36 hits are tied for seventh in the state, while her 13 doubles are tied for second. The seventh grader is also tied for ninth with 32 runs scored and is batting .514.
Delaney Chilton, Clinton County
Delaney Chilton is batting .511 for the Lady Bulldogs and leads the team with 19 RBI. She also has scored eleven times, logged 24 hits, and five doubles. The junior went 3-for-4 in a recent win over Hart County, hitting two doubles and scoring twice in the victory.
Alyssa Curtis, Barren County
Alyssa Curtis and the Trojanettes have had an outstanding season on the diamond in 2021 and currently sit at 14-4 with a perfect 5-0 record against district opponents. The sophomore leads Barren in batting average (.426), hits (23), RBI (18), home runs (4), and is tied for the lead with seven doubles.
Taylor Gregory, Allen County-Scottsville
Taylor Gregory leads the Lady Patriots with a .563 batting average and is ranked seventh in the state with 36 hits. The sophomore has 29 RBI (ranked 14th statewide) and has helped Allen County-Scottsville get out to a 15-6 record through the season’s first month.
Braelyn Davis, Metcalfe County
Braelyn Davis is the region’s third-leading hitter at .564, logging 31 hits in 55 at-bats. The junior has also scored 21 runs, knocked in 13, laced nine doubles, and has a triple and home run as well. Davis’ bat is a major reason why the Lady Hornets are 6-0 against 16th district opponents.
Josi Morrison, Greenwood
Josi Morrison has been Greenwood’s top hitter through the first month of the season. The junior leads the team in batting average (.313), hits (15), RBI (20), doubles (4), and home runs (4). Morrison belted two home runs last week in a 6-0 win over Bowling Green.
Carly Nettles, Cumberland County
Carly Nettles is amidst the 4th Region’s top hitters with a batting average of .544. The sophomore has logged 31 hits, scored 19 runs, has 26 RBI, and three doubles. In a 20-19 loss to Metcalfe County, Nettles knocked in four runs off two hits and scored twice.
Kaylin Page, Logan County
The senior centerfielder is having a season to remember at the plate for the Lady Cougars. Page is hitting .500 with 33 hits, 16 runs, 12 RBI, and 11 doubles. In a 10-2 win over Muhlenberg County this past weekend, she went 3-for-3 with two doubles and scored twice.
Lucy Patterson, Warren East
Lucy Patterson has been one of the most consistent hitters in both the 4th Region and in the state of Kentucky. The senior is batting a whopping .507, has scored 20 runs, knocked in 20 runs, has nine doubles, and 35 hits. Her 35 hits are currently ranked ninth in the entire state.
Caroline Pitcock, South Warren
Caroline Pitcock is having an excellent season at the plate, hitting .548 and leading the Lady Spartans in batting average, hits (26), runs (21), RBI (18), triples (2), and tied in home runs (4). The junior has been the club’s top hitter as they’ve won their first 14 games of the season.
Sophie Shearer, Russell County
Sophie Shearer is the region’s second-leading hitter with an average of .568. The junior has logged 21 hits in 37 plate appearances, scored 14 runs, and knocked in 20. In a 4-3 district victory over Metcalfe County, Shearer went 3-for-3 with a double and 3 RBI.
Abbi Young, Clinton County
Abbi Young is the top hitter in the region with an average of .595. Her batting average is among the state’s top 30 hitters. The senior catcher leads the Lady Bulldogs with 25 hits and has logged 14 RBI, five doubles, and one triple and home run on the year.
Others to Note
Bailey Ausbrooks, Allen County-Scottsville
Amiyah Collier, Russellville
Bailee Garrett, Metcalfe County
Katie Murphy, Barren County
Katie Owens, Russell County
Emily Reynolds, South Warren
Kaeleigh Tucker, Franklin-Simpson
