07/20/2026
🥎SOUTHERN WV SOFTBALL AWARDS🏆
Brought to you by : Burke & Herbert Bank , Mister Sparky of Southern West Virginia & Rainelle Medical Center!
Time flies doesnt it! Theres been a few waiting so there’s not better time than right now! Drum roll please! 🥁
HERE ARE YOUR SOUTHERN WV AWARDS WINNERS! ⬇️
🏆 MVP — Myleigh Adkins - Logan - Sr 🐱
Myleigh Adkins was not simply one of Southern West Virginia’s best players—she was one of its most feared. Opposing teams regularly chose to pitch around the Logan standout rather than allow her to change the game with one swing. The repeated walks visibly frustrated Adkins at times, but they were also a sign of the respect she commanded every time she entered the batter’s box.
Adkins still finished with a .481 batting average, a .574 on-base percentage, 39 hits, 37 RBIs and 21 runs scored. Her 1.092 slugging percentage ranked among West Virginia’s best. She was equally dominant in the circle, finishing among the state leaders with 292 strikeouts. Adkins’ ability to impact the game as both a hitter and pitcher made her the clear choice for Southern WV MVP.
🏆Coach of the Year — Randy Epperly - Man - 🐐
Man was not expected by many to make the run it did, but Randy Epperly and the Lady Billies never accepted anyone else’s expectations. They did not make excuses, and they did not depend on only one or two players. Man advanced through a complete team effort built on preparation, toughness and the belief that everyone on the roster had a role.
The Lady Billies reached the state tournament and defeated Sherman 1-0 in postseason play and came within a few plays of making the state semi final!accomplishing far more than most expected when the season began. Led in the circle by freshman Mia Johnson, Epperly kept his young group composed and competing when the pressure was at its highest. This run should not be remembered as a one-time surprise—it should spark another one and establish a new level of belief around the Man program.
🏆 Golden Glove - Ava Parks - Independence - Jr🇺🇸
BACK2BACK🏆
Ava Parks earned the Golden Glove (AGAIN) after putting together an outstanding defensive season for Independence. Parks played multiple positions, including catcher, and finished with a .981 fielding percentage, the highest mark listed among the Patriots’ regular defensive leaders. Her versatility allowed Independence to use her wherever she was needed without sacrificing consistency.
Parks was far more than a defensive specialist. She led Independence with a .516 batting average, 63 hits, 46 runs and 22 stolen bases. She also recorded 13 doubles, three home runs, 33 RBIs, a .556 on-base percentage and a .779 slugging percentage. Her ability to combine dependable defense with speed and production made her one of the most complete players in the area.
🏆Silver Slugger- Jenna Joyce-Independence-Jr 🇺🇸
BACK2BACK 🏆🏆
Joyce , who won last years Silver Slugger as a sophomore has done it again! Few hitters in Southern West Virginia produced more damage than Jenna Joyce. The Independence standout hit .473 with a .535 on-base percentage and led the Patriots with 11 home runs, 61 RBIs and a .900 slugging percentage. She also collected 52 hits, scored 41 runs and added 12 doubles.
Joyce brought legitimate game-changing power to the middle of the Independence lineup. Pitchers could not afford to make mistakes against her, because she consistently turned hittable pitches into extra bases and runs. Her combination of average, power and run production made her the deserving Southern WV Silver Slugger.
🏆 Rookie of the Year — Mia Johnson - Man - 🐐
Mia Johnson’s freshman season was not merely promising—it was one of the biggest reasons Man made its remarkable postseason run. Asked to lead the Lady Billies from the circle despite her youth, Johnson responded with poise well beyond her experience level.
Johnson finished with a 1.66 ERA, 11 wins, 181 strikeouts and a .174 opponents’ batting average across 131 innings. She was also productive at the plate, batting .338 with a .389 on-base percentage and two triples. MaxPreps listed her first in West Virginia, Class A and her conference in several pitching categories.
Johnson helped prove that Man’s run was not built only for one season. With a freshman already capable of delivering in major postseason moments, the Lady Billies have every reason to believe this year’s success can become the beginning of something even bigger!
What a year for softball! And what a year for Southern WV! We still have to send out the last batch of golden funko pops but spring sports winners will be receiving the same! We’ll post them as we do!
📷 CKG Graphics , Man High School Softball , Stacy Pack-Miller
