Three Rhinos named to All-South region softball team

Three Gaston College freshman softball players have been named to the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) 2024 All-South team.

Second baseman Alayna Patrick was a first team selection and pitcher Abigail Brewton and third baseman Grace Kealy were second team selections.

"We are excited for Alayna Patrick, Abby Brewton, and Grace Kealy to be named to the All South Region first and second team," Gaston College head softball coach Mike Steuerwald said. "All three of these ladies had outstanding seasons with the numbers to back up their selections.
"More than just the numbers these three demonstrated a work ethic day-in and day-out that helped them earn these honors, which makes them being rewarded in this manner that much more satisfying."

Patrick, a freshman from Kings Mountain and a 2023 Kings Mountain High graduate, hit .452 with 12 home runs, 63 RBIs and 31 stolen bases.

"Alayna was a key piece in the middle of our defense and a huge spark plug for us offensively," Steuerwald said. "She finished second on the team in home runs with 12 and had 63 RBIs."

Brewton, a freshman from Candler and a 2023 Enka High graduate, went 22-2 with two saves and had a 1.02 ERA with 184 strikeouts in 147 innings. She also threw the school's first perfect game in history on Feb. 10 against Fayetteville Tech at Gastonia's CaroMont Stadium.

"Brew did an outstanding job in the circle leading us in ERA and strikeouts and finishing with an incredible 22-2 record with 2 saves," Steuerwald said..

Kealy, a freshman from Bloomington, Minn., and a 2023 Maranatha Christian Academy graduate, hit .398 with 17 home runs, 84 RBIs and 10 stolen bases.

"Grace was a huge part of our offense in the middle of our lineup," Steuerwald said. "She led the team with 17 home runs and 84 RBIs and was a huge center piece of a team that hit .385 on the season."