Wolfpack pitcher gets win with award
Kristan Glover received numerous honors throughout her decorated prep career. Only one award has eluded her: State Pitcher of the Year.
Greenbrier pitcher Kristen Glover, shown during a game against Evans High School, has been named All-State Pitcher of the Year.
Photo by Jim Blaylock
Not any more.
The Greenbrier senior was named Class AAAA State Pitcher of the Year by the Georgia Athletic Coaches Association at its annual meeting of fastpitch coaches.
Glover made the All-State team for the third straight season. It is believed she is the first person in Columbia County to be named All-State three consecutive seasons in any sport and the first to be named State Pitcher of the Year in softball.
She was previously named to the second team in 2002 and the first team in 2003. She became the first player in state history, and the fourth in the nation, to win 100 games and collect 1,000 strikeouts in a prep career.
"I guess it's good to receive the honor," Glover said. "It's not that big of a deal because we won the state title."
Greenbrier coach Garrett Black disagreed.
"We really thought she hit another level when the playoffs began," he said before the Dec. 1 meeting. "She better win the award. I can't think of anyone more deserving."
Glover earned the distinction after not surrendering a run over her past seven starts en route to her school's first state fastpitch title in Greenbrier history.
"She was our leader in every sense of the word," said shortstop Brittany Leverett after the state championship game Oct. 30. "We have a great lineup, but she shut down every team we faced."
Glover wasn't the only member of the Greenbrier softball team to take home honors - Black was selected State Coach of the Year.
Black has turned the Lady Wolfpack fastpitch program into one of the state's best teams in the nine years the school has been open.
In those nine seasons, Black has won nine region titles and dropped only two region games. The Wolfpack have made the trek to Columbus for the state finals six times.
"I think he really deserved it," Glover said. "This program means so much to him."
Joining Glover on the All-State team were Leverett, Tiffany Blackburn and Courtney McCladdie.
Leverett, a junior, was named All-State second team last season but made the first team this year after hitting .427 with three home runs and 24 RBI.
McCladdie, a junior center-fielder, also made the All-State second team last year. This season she hit .377 with 46 hits, all of which were bunt singles or slap singles.
Blackburn, a sophomore third baseman, led the team with a .509 average and 38 RBI.
Junior second baseman Amanda Glover, senior first baseman Kristi Nichols and junior catcher Jessica Borum were named to the All-State second team.
Glover and Nichols will represent Greenbrier next summer in the 2005 GACA Senior All-Star Game.
Black will get to coach the seniors one last time after being named the coach of the South All-Star team.
"It is an honor to be able to coach all of the state's best players," Black said.
"I look forward to that game."