By Lee Davis
Mary Kathryn Bonamy didn’t reach her goal of a Class 7A state championship in 2015, but the Spain Park softball standout — known to her friends as M.K. — did make a little history in her senior season.
Bonamy, an infielder-pitcher for the Lady Jaguars, was named 2015 Softball Player of the Year in an exclusive Over the Mountain Journal Poll of the area head softball coaches.
She was also named Player of the Year by the coaches in 2014, making her the first-ever two-time winner of the coveted title.
In leading Spain Park to a 35-12-2 record, an area crown, and a berth in the Class 7A regionals, Bonamy batted a sterling .481. She also had 55 RBIs and 12 home runs. Her on-base percentage was .550 with a whopping slugging percentage of .842. Bonamy was equally impressive in the field and in the pitching circle.
As impressive as the numbers are, Lady Jaguar coach C.J. Hawkins thinks her star’s greatest strengths can’t be written on paper.
“M.K. is a special athlete who brings the ‘it’ factor to our team,” Hawkins said. “Her leadership qualities and magnetic personality combined with her God-given talent and relentless work ethic make her an incredible teammate and a joy to coach.”
Bonamy – possibly the most honored player Spain Park softball has ever produced – said the award was special.
“It’s quite an honor to be recognized again,” she said. “I was very lucky to be surrounded by such great teammates. I’ll always be proud to be a Spain Park Jaguar.”
Bonamy will play at the University of Notre Dame next season.
Six of Bonamy’s fellow Lady Jags were chosen for the team, and Hawkins was named 2015 Over the Mountain Coach of the Year.
Spain Park softball was a perennial doormat before Hawkins took over the program nearly a decade ago. Now it ranks among Alabama’s best.
“It was all a matter of getting folks to buy in to what it took to be successful,” Hawkins said. “We’ve had great support from the school, the administration, the parents and most importantly, the girls.”
Other Lady Jaguars making the team are Julianna Cross, Destini England, Mallory McCarty, Jenna Olszewski, Caroline Parker and Mary Katherine Tedder.
Other members of the team are Madison Chambers, Anna Donahue, Amelia Moore, Linley Splawn and Rachel Walz, Briarwood; Venice Sanders and Morgan Williams, Homewood; Mary Catherine Nichols, Abby Grace Praytor and Abby Tissier, Hoover; Devon Grace Boyd, John Carroll Catholic; Caroline Boone, Mountain Brook; Carmyn Greenwood, Oak Mountain; and Taylor Coe, Caroline Hardy, E.J. Hardy and Jessica Perley, Vestavia Hills.