LUMBERTON — The following are the 2015 selections for the Robeson County All-County Softball team. They were selected from among the six county high school teams.
Those listed with a “+” were 2013 All-County selections and those with a “*” were 2014 All-County selections.
Coach of the Year
Robert Dove, Red Springs: In his second season as coach of the Lady Red Devils, Dove saw his team defy expectations to become the county’s only squad to finish above .500 both overall and in conference play, ending the season with a 13-10 record.
Player of the Year
Angelica Locklear, C, Red Springs, Jr.: As the most feared power hitter in the county, Locklear was the ultimate cleanup hitter, finishing the season with a county-best .491 batting average and eight home runs for the Lady Red Devils.
Pitchers
Destiny Strickland, South Robeson, Fr.: Making her mark as the county’s top freshman, Strickland picked up two wins at Slugfest, going the distance in an 11-inning win against Fairmont and giving up only one run to West Bladen to help the Mustangs take home third place.
*Victoria Hammonds, Red Springs, Sr.: Hammonds served as the backbone of a young Red Springs team that ended the season with a 9-5 conference record. The senior pitched a one-hitter against Fairmont in the opening round of the Three Rivers Conference tournament.
Harmony Oxendine, Fairmont, So.: Oxendine posted a 2.66 ERA for the Golden Tornadoes this season as the team’s best pitcher, but she was even more effective at the plate, finishing the season with a team-best 16 RBIs.
Position players
Taylor Linardy, St. Pauls, INF, Sr.: As the Bulldogs senior leader, Linardy ended her prep career with a .395 average with a team-best 17 hits.
Halei Chavis, South Robeson, INF, So.: One of the best all-around players in the county, Chavis ended her sophomore campaign with a team-best 18 hits and 19 stolen bases. The sopomore batted .321 with 16 RBIs.
Taya Jones, Red Springs, INF, Fr.: A solid performer in the No. 2 spot in the lineup for the Red Devils, Jones finished her season with a .364 average, 26 runs scored, and 16 RBIs.
Summer Prevatte, Lumberton, INF, Jr.: As Lumberton’s leadoff hitter and shortstop, Prevatte was key to Lumberton’s success throughout the season. She batted .349 with 26 runs scored.
*Taylor Hammonds, Lumberton, INF, Sr.: Hammonds was the Pirates’ main threat at the plate with runners in scoring position. She had a .471 average to lead the Pirates and 20 RBIs.
Courtney Oxendine, Purnell Swett, INF/OF, Sr.: One of the top hitters in the SEC with a .451 average, Oxendine was consistently on base for the Rams through the season, scoring a team-best 14 runs.
Desaree Dunham, Purnell Swett, INF/OF, So.: The sophomore sensation had a breakout season for the Rams with a .438 average and 12 RBIs.
Kelsey Locklear, Red Springs, INF, Jr.: Often in the leadoff spot in the potent Red Devils lineup, Locklear batted .383 with 27 runs scored.
+*Tiffany Hicks, Fairmont, SS, Jr.: Hicks paced Fairmont with a team-best .371 batting average, 17 stolen bases, 18 runs scored and 23 hits.
Mariah Lovin, Fairmont, INF, Sr.: A consistent performer during her four-year career, Lovin earns her first All-County honor after scoring 10 runs, collecting 12 hits and batting in 11 runs.
Emmeral Warrell, South Robeson, INF, Jr.: As one of the few upperclassmen in the Mustang lineup, Warrel was a steady contributor, batting .315 with 16 RBIs in her junior campaign.
Kailey Prevatte, Lumberton, P, Jr.: Prevatte finished the season as Lumberton’s top pitcher with eight wins, helping the Pirates get to the Slugfest title game with a two-hit shutout against rival Purnell Swett. She also batted .373 with 19 RBIs.
