Video Clip of the Week: Top Alabama High School Teams Battle & A Big-Time Catcher’s Throw Nails the Runner at Third!

On Wednesday, two of the top high school fastpitch softball teams in Alabama faced off and #4 Spain Park (Hoover) High defeated #1 Hewitt-Trussville (Trussville) by a score of 8-6.

The teams are in the same area and Hewitt won the first matchup 2-1 so now the rivalry is even.

Hewitt High is also the reigning state champs from 2019 and Spain Park was ranked #1 and undefeated in 2020 when the season was shut down, so there was a lot on the line in terms of bragging rights this week.

The two powerhouses loaded with talent (see below) are in the same area and will likely play each other a couple more times this spring.

One of the key players of the game took place when Spain Park senior pitcher AnnaBelle Widra (Michigan signee) threw to catcher Maggie Daniel, just a freshman, but the backstop was able to stop a ball in the dirt and quickly throw to infielder Katie Flannery at third.

Flannery made a diving tag of the runner scrambling back to the bag and the third out of the inning stopped Hewitt’s chance to draw closer in what would be an exciting Spain Park win.

Ironically, all three players involved—pitcher, catcher and infielder—play travel ball for the Birmingham Thunderbolts organization and the game featured many Extra Elite 100 standouts and many already committed or signed with top colleges nationwide:

Notable players for Spain Park:

• 2021 AnnaBelle Widra (P/IF, Birmingham Thunderbolts Premier, Michigan commit) 2-4, RBI, two runs, steal, complete game with 6 K’s
• 2021 Lydia Coleman (OF/2B, Bandits Premier, Penn St commit) 2-3, home run, 3 RBI, run scored
• 2023 Katie Flannery (IF/C Birmingham Thunderbolts 04, Top 100) 2-for-4, RBI, run scored
• 2024 Maggie Daniel (C, Birmingham Thunderbolts 05 – Thompson) 1-3, RBI

Notable players for Hewitt:

• 2021 Jenna Lord (MIF/C, Mojo 03, Alabama commit)
• 2021 Crystal Maze (1B/UT, Tennessee Mojo 03, Troy commit), home run, double, run scored, 2 RBIS
• 2021 Anyce Harvey (OF/SS, EC Bullets 2021, Middle Tennessee State commit), 1-for-2, run scored, RBI, stolen base
• 2022 Riley Rudick (UT, Alabama Hotshots), pinch hit home run in 7th inning
• 2023 Kenleigh Cahalan (IF, Birmingham Thunderbolts 04, Top 100)
• 2023 Hannah Dorsett (Bolts 04, Top 100), double and RBI