Sydney Howell
Three other players at the school received honorable mention.
The four players are a key reason the Lady Eagles made a return trip to the state playoffs this season. Excel, which made the GHSA ClassA Softball Elite Eight a year ago, fell this season to Strong Rock Christian, which also advanced to the Elite Eight this year.
Howell, a key part of that softball success both years as a four-year starter for the Lady Eagles, played both infield and outfield and also caught several games during the season.
The senior also was a key offensive weapon in Excel's arsonal as she compiled a .455 batting average, including hitting seven home runs; 14 doubles; 26 RBIs and scoring 36 runs.
Head coach Danny Deems said Howell also is a stellar defensive player for the team. Howell earlier was named to the Region 6-A All-Region first team.
Receiving honorable mention were Janna Scheff, Excel's pitching ace; Kaye Sullins, catcher; and Abby Hibbard, infielder.
Scheff, another senior, earned a 25-6 record while recording a 1.04 ERA and 168 strikeouts in 162 innings of work. She also was an offensive weapon, batting .573, with nine home runs, 10 doubles and 39 RBIs. Scheff made no fielding errors .
She was named to the Region 6-A All-Region First Team.
Sullins finished her senior year with a .357 batting average, hit six home runs, five doubles and 31 RBIs. She was a Region 6-A All-Region Second Team selection and hit the game-winning home run versus Trion.
Hibbard, also a senior and four-year varsity team member, hit .419, nine home runs, eight doubles and 38 RBIs. She scored 32 runs.
Hibbard also was named to the the Region 6-A All-Region First Team.