By Rubin E. Grant
Annabelle Widra and Spain Park softball have been synonymous for the past six years, ever since she joined the Jaguars as a seventh grader.
The seemingly forever journey ended last month when Widra graduated, but what a journey it was as she became the most highly recognized player in the history of the Spain Park program.
Widra capped off her brilliant career this spring by posting a 20-5 record with two saves, a 1.20 ERA and 239 strikeouts in the pitching circle. She tossed three perfect games and had three no-hitters and 11 shutouts. Opponents batted .139 against her as she allowed only 21 earned runs, 63 hits and 12 walks in 123 innings. She finished with 1,183 career strikeouts.
Playing shortstop and second base when not pitching, Widra hit a career-high 15 home runs while batting .490. She led the team with 47 runs batted in and had 32 stolen bases in 35 attempts.
For her performance, Widra was voted the 2021 OTM Softball Player of the Year in balloting by Over the Mountain coaches.
It’s the third time Widra has received the honor. She was the 2018 OTM Player of the Year as a freshman and shared the 2019 honor with former Spain Park teammate Maddie Majors as a sophomore. No All-OTM team or player of the year was selected in 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
She also has been selected to the Alabama Sports Writers Association All-State Team every year since she was in eighth grade, except when no team was selected in 2020. She was chosen the ASWA 2021 Class 7A Player of the Year.
“It’s always nice to be recognized for all the hard work I’ve put in,” Widra said. “I challenged myself to be better from the mental side of the game this season and I just took the season to enjoy it. I had a blast with everything. I told some of my younger teammates I would do anything to have four more years with that Spain Park across my chest.”
On Sunday night, Widra was named the 2021 Alabama Sports Writers Association’s Miss Softball. Widra is the 18th Miss Softball and first Spain Park player to earn the honor.
“This really means a lot to me,” Widra said of the Miss Softball award. “It’s just an incredible honor.”
She also has been selected to the ASWA Super All-State team and has been named to the ASWA All-State Team every year since eighth grade, although no team was selected in 2020 because the pandemic. She was chosen the ASWA 2021 Class 7A Player of the Year.
Spain Park coach C.J. Urse Hawkins had high praise for Widra.
“Annabelle is an extraordinary softball player,” Urse Hawkins said. “Her work ethic, competitiveness and talent is at an elite level and had a huge impact on our program for six years.”
Widra gets somewhat emotional when she talks about her high school career ending.
“I knew the time would come,” she said. “At the beginning of the season, I told myself ‘This is it.’ I wouldn’t trade the six years I had for the world. I am glad I played all six years at Spain Park. I have been able to grow not only as a player but as a person under coach ‘C.J.’ Urse Hawkins.”
The only thing Widra didn’t do was win a state championship. Spain Park was eliminated in the Class 7A, Area 6 tournament this season, finishing with a 35-7 record.
“It’s a disappointment, but when I look back, I see all the great things we did,” she said. “As a seventh grader we made it to the state championship and I was a part of that. We got two red (runner-up) trophies, so that’s good.
“It would have been great if we could have finished (the 2020 season). I think a blue (championship) map would have come out of that, but it wasn’t meant to be.”
Last fall, Widra signed with the University of Michigan, one of the premier college programs in the country. She credited Michigan head coach Carol Hutchins and the Wolverines’ coaching staff for making her feel at home during her visit.
“Michigan is an incredible place and the atmosphere is fun and exciting,” Widra said. “I love the staff and I feel going there is the best decision I could have made.”
When she signed, Widra was the nation’s No. 8-ranked recruit and sixth-ranked infielder, according to Extra Inning Softball. She will become the first Michigan softball player from Alabama.
“She’s very highly regarded, especially by us, and she’s versatile, athletic and fast,” Hutchins said. “I also think she’s a legitimate D-I pitcher. She’s an impact player, without a doubt, and we’re excited for her to come in and make an impact.”
Urse Hawkins believes Widra will continue to thrive at the next level.
“Michigan is getting an awesome student-athlete,” Urse Hawkins said. “I can’t wait to watch her on ESPN. She’s extremely versatile and will be truly missed here at Spain Park.”
Last week, Widra was selected to play in the Premier Girls Fastpitch All-American Game at 6:30 p.m. on July 31 in Irvine, California. Widra is the only Alabama player among the 40 girls chosen for the East-West contest of 20-team players. The All-American game will be televised by ESPNU.
“I am truly honored to be selected,” Widra said. “To be a player from Alabama and be part of it is amazing.”
Coach of the Year
Vestavia Hills’ Lissa Walker was voted 2021 OTM Coach of the Year after leading the Rebels to their first state tournament appearance since 2016 and a 27-22 record.
“It was a good season with a lot of peaks and valleys,” Walker said. “There were some tough spots, but the girls hung in there.
“We played in a really tough area, and we struggled the whole season with teams in our area (7A, Area 6), but to make it out of area and into the regional was a confidence booster.”
Walker was appreciative of being chosen coach of the year.
“It’s always a great honor because there are so many good coaches in our area,” she said. “And it’s a great surprise.”
