RINER, Va. – Auburn’s Tim Smoot is Coach of the Year and pitcher Kirsten Fleet is the Player of the Year in VHSL Class 1 softball. The honors come after the Eagles won their fourth consecutive state title. It is a feat that has never been done before in any classification of the VHSL.
Fleet was 26-1 with an era of 0.48 with an astounding 389 strikeouts in 175 innings — with 20 shutouts. Offensively she batted .388 for the Eagles, a the JMU signee threw a one-hitter in the state final. Smoot’s been with the Eagles for 7 seasons — the last two as a head coach.
Joining Fleet on the first team is teammate Rachel Brotherton, while Eagles Avery Zukerwar earns second-team honors.
Laney Testerman of Grayson Co. was also a 1st team selection, while Payton Emore of Parry McCluer was second-team.