First Presbyterian Christian Academy’s softball team has a lot to celebrate this year. It’s the first season the girls played a full region schedule, the first year the girls made the 2-AA Region tournament and the first year one of the players made the All-Region team.

Freshman Brooke Standard, who primarily pitches but is also a utility player, was named 2-AA All-Region, according to softball coach Denise Arrington.

Lady ‘Lander Shae Smith received region honorable mention. And Andie Arrington was named region team alternate and honorable mention.

"Playing a region schedule and representing FPCA at region tournaments are the Lady ‘Lander’s most important accomplishment of this softball season," Arrington said. "It has taken several seasons to not only develop, launch, promote, schedule and grow this team, but to finally play a full region schedule was monumental."

The coach said this year’s accomplishments provided incentives for future squads.

Arrington said this season’s payoff was due, "To the hard work and long-term dedication on the part of the First Presbyterian Christian Academy athletics, it’s administrators, athletic directors, coaches, parents and, especially, the players. The girls definitely should receive the most credit for this developed program. They have been just tremendous in their continued desire to push this team to a higher standard each season."

The coach said she is especially proud of the girls who were named to the All-Region squad.

"We tip our hats to fellow teammates," she said, noting that Standard is the only freshman on the All-Region team.

"I am very proud of these girls. They were team leaders and got the attention of other Region coaches."

The coach said her team is still young and she has been excited to see the improvements each season. She said she was impressed that other coaches recognized the potential in her players.

"To have a junior, Andie Arrington, sophomore, Shae Smith, and freshman, Brooke Standard, play against many teams comprised of only juniors and seniors and to get the coaches of those team to remember who you were, what plays you made and remember your hustle is a tribute to these three players," Arrington said.