Five local players earn All-State recognition

By Staff
Kim West, Franklin County Times
Four Russellville baseball players and one Phil Campbell softball pitcher capped off their memorable spring seasons with recognition from the Alabama Sports Writers Association (AWSA), which names the state's top players.
Russellville, which set a school record with a 42-9 record, had four players make the All-State baseball team.
Senior first baseman Seth Fergerson, who has signed a football scholarship to Birmingham-Southern, was named to the first team after hitting 13 home runs in 2007.
Shortstop Cory Trapp, senior pitcher Preston Beasley (14 wins) and outfielder Caleb Mitchell received honorable mention after leading area champion Russellville into the state semifinals against No. 1 Cullman, which won the 5A championship. Trapp and Beasley each hit over .400 and will return next year for the Golden Tigers.
Senior pitcher Melissa Russell went 28-10 for Phil Campbell, which set a school record with a 31-11 record.
Russell, the team and area most valuable player, threw 342 strikeouts while allowing just 1.29 earned runs per game. She also pitched 12 shutouts, three no-hitters and one perfect game for Phil Campbell, which won the county tournament and area championship and advanced the second round of the state playoffs.