Washington School junior Avery Doolittle, the Planters Bank Player of the Week, is being recruited to play shortstop at the collegiate level. Shortstop is Avery’s natural position, and it is a place where she excels.
But, for her Washington School Lady Generals this season, Avery has sacrificed for her team to become an ace pitcher. She has a 13-3 record this season on the mound, helping the Generals already clinch a playoff spot.
Washington Coach Jud Thigpen calls Doolittle part of the heart and soul of this year’s team, and she is only getting better on the mound.
“She is a college level shortstop, and she is a good athlete who we just turned into a pitcher,” Coach Thigpen said. “She now has three pitches that she can throw anytime. She throw strikes with her fastball, change-up and curveball.”
Avery has also shined at the plate this season. She is batting .357 this season and has come up with quite a few clutch hits. Avery, along with seniors Mary Glenn Hooker and Anna Louise Bryant, have allowed the Generals to set their sights high as they come down the stretch of the regular season. Now that the Generals have dropped down to Class 4A in the MAIS, Washington School is looking like it could be a contender when the playoffs begin at the end of this month. Anna Louise is batting .486 this season with three doubles, and Mary Glenn is batting .475 with 19 hits, nine doubles and a home run.
“We have basically the exact same roster from last year, and this summer they all bought in to what we are trying to become. They believe that we can win,” said Coach Thigpen said.
