Two women who were members of the 2019 state championship William Byrd softball team are making their mark in college as well. Jada Karnes, who recently completed her sophomore season at Roanoke College, has been named to the Virginia Sports Information Directors All-State first team for college division teams and Lexi Powell of the University of Lynchburg has been named to the second team as a freshman.
Karnes was 14-4 on the mound with two saves for the Maroons. She struck out 157 batters in 159 innings and finished the season with an earned run average of 1.44. Jada made the VaSID team as a pitcher but she also hit .314 for Roanoke and played some first base when she wasn’t pitching.
Powell hit .331 for the Hornets with 25 runs scored and 25 RBIs in 45 games as a utility player. She had 10 doubles and two triples and only struck out 16 times in 148 bats. Lexi was the starting catcher on Byrd’s championship team.
NCAA Division III National Champion Virginia Wesleyan University swept the major awards as Jessica Goldyn was named State Player of the Year, Hanna Hull was named State Pitcher of the Year, Emily Seale was selected as State Rookie of the Year and Brandon Elliott was honored as State Coach of the Year.