Robb takes rightful spot as Class 2A All-Stater

By MIKE HUTCHENS
Press Sports
More often than not over the last four years, Westview opponents got (Robb)ed.
There was no such injustice on this year’s Tennessee Sports Writers Association Class 2A All-State softball team.
Shaylon Robb capped her brilliant Lady Charger prep career with a second all-state nod in the past three years when that glitter roster was released today.
Robb, who is headed to Eastern Kentucky University on a scholarship, led Westview to a 31-7 record and the regional semifinals this past spring after being part of three consecutive state tournament squads.
Opponents were largely overmatched against the Lady Charger ace her senior season as she whiffed 232 batters and had a microscopic 0.59 earned run average while winning 19 of 22 decisions.
Those numbers were part of an impressive career that saw Robb win 71 games against 21 losses, post an ERA of 0.72 and strike out a whopping 917 hitters — all WHS school records.
And just in case she needed it, her coach, J.B. Suiter, gave her a ringing endorsement for the all state squad.
“She’s been a true ‘stopper’ in every sense of the word,” the seven-year veteran of the Lady Charger dugout said. “When we needed a big pitch or a big strikeout, she got it. Whenever we needed that extra little kick, she reached back and got it.
“Those rare times when somebody got the best of her, she came back with a little something extra on the next batter or the next time around. She just absolutely hates to lose and wants to win as bad as anyone I’ve ever seen. She’s the most spirited player I’ve ever coached.”
Robb was not only outstanding in the circle, she proved capable of helping herself and others by hitting .347 with five homers and 29 RBIs.
She posted a career batting average of near .300.
Her coach said Robb had several college suitors, but chose EKU because “she wanted to go to a Division I school and get away from Martin.”
The Colonels provided both of those things, but will also give her the chance to earn immediate pitching time and maybe some at-bats, too.
“I think that figured into her decision as well,” Suiter said.
She was joined on the 2A all-state squad by fellow rural West Tennessee representatives and hurlers Shelese Arnold of Lexington and Covington’s Autumn Glenn and infielder Bo Sullivan of Crockett County.
South Fulton hurler Haley McKinney was chosen for the Class 1A team for the second straight year, while two members of state champion Riverside (Ericca McCromick and Brooke Kennedy) and Anna Renfroe and Amanda Bond made it from perennial power Trinity Christian Academy.
WCP 7-26-11

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