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By Carey Reeder | Managing Editor

Makinley Turner of Thorsby High School is The Clanton Advertiser’s softball player of the year for the 2023 season. Turner dominated both in the circle and at the plate for the Rebels this year and helped Thorsby to a top six finish in the AHSAA Class 2A State Softball Tournament.

Coming into the season everyone knew Turner would be effective in the circle, but how effective she was in 2023 was still impressive. The junior held a 17-8 record and threw complete games in all 25 games she started. She threw 144 and one-third innings and piled up 283 strikeouts with a 1.94 earned run average. Turner allowed opposing hitters to hit just .185 off her last season.

In the AHSAA Class 2A Central Regional Tournament, Turner threw three consecutive shutouts to lead the Rebels to the regional championship.

“Every day I am super proud of her, and I always know what to expect out of Makinley,” Thorsby softball coach Holly Matson said. “There is no halfway with her. She is either all in or nothing, and it is exciting to start every game and know that she is going to work hard to accomplish the things she needs to do for her team to be successful. It is always a joy to be able to watch her perform.”

While her pitching was lights out, Matson said Turner’s season at the plate was what impressed her the most. Turner hit .656 with an on-base percentage of .753 and a slugging percentage of 1.391. She had 42 hits, 48 RBIs and nine home runs which led the Thorsby team in RBIs and home runs. The Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College commit also led the Rebels team in OBP, SLG, stolen bases, doubles, triples and ERA. Opposing teams were allowing Turner a free pass and intentionally walking her late in the season, which helped the Rebels in the long run. In the entire 2023 season, Turner struck out just three times.

“She really took charge and led our offense,” Matson said. “Every year we know she is going to dominate on the mound, but this year she dominated at the plate as well.”

Matson added that Turner’s ability and passion for the game is there completely and she is very self-motivated. However, Matson also saw her positivity improve this season as well and wants to see her focus on the things only she can control next season in her final year at Thorsby.

 

2023 The Clanton Advertiser All-County Softball Team

Mallie Harrison, CCHS, freshman: .440 BA, 40 hits, 4 HRs, 31 RBIs, 3.026 ERA in 113.1 IP

Macey Pierce, CCHS, sophomore: .424 BA, 40 hits, 14 HRs, 29 RBIs

Emma Penley, CCHS, junior: .333 BA, 24 hits, 2 HRs, 15 RBIs

Anna Cate Burnett, CCHS, sophomore: .326 BA, 28 hits, 21 RBIs

Kinsley Martin, Jemison, senior: .580 BA, .691 OB%, 9 HRs, 22 RBIs

Jaclyn Lowery, Jemison, senior: .554 BA, .612 OB%, 3 HRs, 26 RBIs

Trinity Bean, Jemison, freshman: .576 BA, .602 OB%, 49 hits

Braelyn Bradford, Jemison, sophomore: .406 BA, .495 OB%, 4 HRs, 22 RBIs

Morgan Short, Isabella, senior: .443 BA, .580 SLG, .475 OBP and .918 FP

Kelsey Cox, Isabella, senior: .382 BA, .545 SLG, .452 OBP and .976 FP

Anna Johnson, Isabella freshman: .350 BA, .534 SLG and .367 OBP

Auburn Bassett, Isabella, 8th Grade: .362 BA, .447 SLG, .384 OBP, .932 FP and 138 IP with 14 wins and 111 strikeouts

Makinley Turner, Thorsby, junior: .656 BA, .753 OBP, 1.391 SLG, 42 hits, 9 HRs, 48 RBIs, 25 games pitched with 25 complete games, 17-8 record, 144.1 IP, 283 K’s, 1.94 ERA, .185 BAA

Brooklyn Reeser, Thorsby, freshman: .523 BA, .559 OBP, 45 hits, 3 HRs, 14 RBIs

Brinley Giambrone, Thorsby, sophomore: .421 BA, .511 OBP, 32 hits, 12 RBIs

Braelyn Whitfield, Thorsby, junior: .354 BA, .400 OBP, 28 hits, 26 RBIs

Lexi Smith, Maplesville, senior: Over 120 strikeouts

Laci Cook, Maplesville, senior: .440 BA, 6 HRs

Mollie Kayte Smith, Maplesville, 8th grade: .443 BA, over 70 strikeouts

Jaden McGee, Maplesville, freshman: .445 BA, 14 HRs

Jaycee Quinn, Verbena, junior: .599 BA, 12 HRs, 302 strikeouts

Lakeyn Mims, Verbena, sophomore: .340 BA, 4 HRs, .684 FP

Jasmin Moates, Verbena, sophomore: .314 BA, .974 FP

Kiara Ray, Verbena, freshman: .388 BA, 47 hits