Meagan Young, McKinley Tribble, and Emily Church helped the AHSAA’s North All-Star softball team to a win and a tie against the South All-Stars.

Ragland’s Emily Church said she was “very surprised” to be named MVP of the AHSAA’s All-Star softball games, crediting her teammates with helping her qualify for the selection.

“I would not have even applied for selection to the all-star game if it had not been for my teammates,” she said.  “I get down a lot, and they just pick me up.  It was an honor to represent Ragland and my softball team.”

She was joined by Meagan Young of Moody and McKinley Tribble of Springville as local all-star selection.  All three local players saw considerable playing time as members of the North team, which won the first game and tied the second against the South All-Stars.

Church’s late-inning solo home run tied the second game, preventing the South team from claiming a win in the series.  Young pitched the first three innings of the second game, striking out four batters and throwing a no-hitter before moving to the outfield.

“I was honored and excited,” she said this week from Chattanooga, Tenn., where her travel team, the Birmingham Skyhawks remains in the running for a World Series tournament title.  “It showed that all my hard work paid off.”

Tribble was the first game’s winning pitcher, allowing one hit and two inning while striking out five batters.

Ragland coach Jonathan Nix said that a player’s appearance in a state all-star game is boost for a school’s entire program.

“Particularly for a small 1A school like we are, it makes me happy to see our girls shine against the best in the state.”