Lion Cubs:
Briarwood’s Reed and Serrano
Earn Player, Coach Honors
In preseason talk, when a coach describes his or her team as “young,” that means its fans can expect a lot of growing pains during the season.
That wasn’t the case for Briarwood softball in 2012-13.
Despite the fact that the Lady Lions roster was dominated by underclassmen, Briarwood turned in one of the finest seasons in school history, posting a 27-16 record, winning the Class 5A Area 7 title and earning a coveted berth in the state tournament at Lagoon Park in Montgomery.
And while the Lady Lions’ trip to the capital city was brief, it didn’t take the glow off an incredible season.
“It was a year of perseverance,” Briarwood coach Suzanne Serrano said. “To be so young, our team battled and put up a good fight. The Lord blessed us greatly. I’m already looking forward to next year.”
But there’s still plenty to enjoy about this season. An exclusive poll of the head coaches of the eight Over the Mountain schools that compete in Classes 6A and 5A chose Serrano as the 2012-13 Coach of the Year.
“It’s an honor,” Serrano said. “But it’s not about me. It’s about the work these girls put in during the season.”
In addition, the coaches named Briarwood shortstop/pitcher Morgan Reed the 2012-13 Over the Mountain Player of the Year.
Reed, a junior, hit .513 with 41 RBIs and eight home runs. Her slugging percentage was a stratospheric .983. A danger around the base paths as well, Reed stole 38 bases and scored 61 runs. She struck out a mere six times.
Defensively, Reed stood out with a fielding percentage of .934. In the pitching circle, she compiled a 10-7 record with one save and an ERA of 1.40. Reed also fanned 88 batters.
“I’m honored to be named Player of the Year because there are so many great players in this area,” Reed said. “But like any award, it’s really a team honor.”
Serrano may be Reed’s biggest fan.
“What else can you say? Morgan had a great year,” she said.
Reed, along with teammates Ashlyn Boyd and Rachel Walz, was selected for the 2012-13 All Over the Mountain softball team, which was also chosen by the area coaches.
Vestavia Hills, which went deep into the Class 6A tournament on the way to posting a 44-10-1 record, had four selections on the squad: Olivia Cooper, Caroline Hardy, Rebecca Hein and Abbie Miranda.
Mountain Brook also had four Lady Spartans qualify for the team. They were Rebecca Blitz, Taylor Harkins, Grace Morrissette and Courtney Shea.
Other members of the team include Kay Holtzapfel, John Carroll Catholic; Katlin Hamilton, Homewood; Mary Catherine Nichols, Carly Sewell, and Kalee Sparks, Hoover; Madeline Porter, Caroline Seitz and Anne Thomaston, Oak Mountain; and Mary Kathryn Bonamy, Madi Gipson and Mary Beth Glass, Spain Park.