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The 2024 All-Messenger Softball Team is overflowing with talent from The Messenger’s coverage area, including a number of All-State athletes.

Zion Chapel High School enjoyed one of its best softball seasons in school history and made it to the Regional Softball Tournament for the first time in nearly a decade, winning more than 30 games in the process. The Lady Rebels swept the All-Messenger year-end awards with senior catcher Amber Kidd capturing Player of the Year, sophomore pitcher Syndey Boothe taking Pitcher of the Year and head coach Ethan Deal being named Coach of the Year.

Boothe and Kidd were joined on the All-Messenger Team by junior pitcher Riley Bannin, senior infielder Kennedy Hussey, junior infielder Shea Wambles and sophomore outfielder Kaylee Hodge. Kidd, Boothe, Hodge and Hussey all earned All-State honors, as well.

Kidd finished her senior season with a staggering .440 batting average along with eight doubles, eight home runs, 50 RBIs and 11 runs. She also boasted a perfect fielding percentage with zero errors on defense to go along with 330 putouts, two double plays, eight runners caught stealing and 12 runners picked off. Kidd will play college softball at Gulf Coast State.

Boothe was dominant in the circle for Zion Chapel, earning an area-leading 1.853 ERA and 1.035 WHIP with an area-leading 148 strikeouts in 124 and 2/3 innings of work. She also boasted a 19-3 record as a starter. She also earned a .853 fielding percentage with 44 putouts, two assists and three double plays. Bannin was also effective in the circle for ZCHS, boasting a 2.069 ERA with 145 strikeouts and a 15-3 record as a starter. She earned a .738 fielding percentage with 31 putouts and one double play. On offense, Bannin boasted a .421 batting average with six doubles, two triples, four homers, 45 RBIs and 30 runs.

Hussey earned a .382 batting average in her senior season with a .426 on-base percentage, 16 doubles, five triples, four home runs, 52 RBIs and 48 runs. She earned an .814 fielding percentage with 56 putouts, one assist and two double plays. Hussey will play college softball at Montevallo. Hodge earned a .352 batting average with six doubles, five triples, 26 RBIs, 42 runs and 20 stolen bases. She also held a .951 fielding percentage with 37 putouts, two assists and two double plays.

Wambles earned a .319 batting average with a .416 on-base percentage, eight doubles, three triples, three homers, 34 RBIs, 49 runs and 18 stolen bases. In the infield, she earned a .989 fielding percentage with 91 putouts, three assists and five double plays.

Charles Henderson is represented on the All-Messenger Team by senior infielder Molly Garrett, junior outfielder Jada Jones and freshman utility Calleigh Compton. Jones finished her junior season with a .360 batting average, .448 on-base percentage, 44 runs, one home run, 17 RBIs and 15 stolen bases. On defense, she earned a .946 fielding percentage with 51 putouts, two assists and a double play. Garrett earned a .333 batting average with eight doubles, two triples, four homers, 31 RBIs and 32 runs. She also earned a .947 fielding percentage with 70 putouts and 37 assists. She earned a 2-1 record as a pitcher with 49 strikeouts in 69 innings in the circle.

Compton was Charles Henderson’s starting catcher as an eighth grader but transitioned to the infield and pitcher as a freshman. As a batter, she boasted a team-best .446 batting average to go along with a .527 on-base percentage, 10 doubles, six home runs, seven stolen bases, 36 RBIs and 35 runs. Compton wasn’t just a solid hitter, however, as she earned a .929 fielding percentage on defense with 56 putouts, 49 assists and two double plays. She also pitched 36 and 2/3 innings with a 1-0 record as a starter and 25 strikeouts. She earned a 4.773 ERA.

Pike County is represented on the All-Messenger Team by senior outfielder Jada Duncan, who finished her season with an area-best .471 batting average to go along with two home runs, four doubles, one triple, 19 RBIs and 32 runs. Defensively, she earned a .881 fielding percentage with 33 putouts and four assists. Duncan will play college softball at Claflin University.

Pike Liberal Arts School is represented on the All-Messenger Team by junior utility Alissa Barron. Barron earned a .310 batting average with six doubles, 18 RBIs and 12 runs. She also pitched 68 innings and struck out 54 batters with a 3.80 ERA. Barron was a pitcher and infielder for the Lady Patriots.

Ariton is represented on the All-Messenger by freshman utility Beth Dixon and sophomore infielder Lizzy Faircloth. Faircloth earned a .361 batting average this season with 25 runs, 46 RBIs, 13 doubles and five home runs. Dixon, who earned All-State honors, boasted a .448 batting average with 12 doubles, one triple, a home run, 20 RBIs and 54 runs. She also pitched 81 and 1/3 innings with 67 strikeouts and a 2.59 ERA.

All-Messenger Softball 2024
P: Sydney Boothe, So., Zion Chapel
P: Riley Bannin, Jr., Zion Chapel
IF: Lizzy Faircloth, So., Ariton
IF: Molly Garrett, Sr., Charles Henderson
IF: Kennedy Hussey, Sr., Zion Chapel
IF: Shea Wambles, Jr., Zion Chapel
C: Amber Kidd, Sr., Zion Chapel
OF: Jada Duncan, Sr., Pike County
OF: Kaylee Hodge, So., Zion Chapel
OF: Jada Jones, Jr., Charles Henderson
UTL: Beth Dixon, Fr., Ariton
UTL: Calleigh Compton, Fr., Charles Henderson
UTL: Alissa Barron, Jr., Pike Lib

Player of the Year: Amber Kidd, Zion Chapel
Pitcher of the Year: Syndey Boothe, Zion Chapel
Coach of the Year: Ethan Deal, Zion Chapel