Sheridan pitcher leads team to title win

Sheridan pitcher Regan Martin delivers a pitch against Benton during the Class 6A state championship game. Martin is the Tri-Lakes Edition Softball Player of the Year.
Sheridan pitcher Regan Martin delivers a pitch against Benton during the Class 6A state championship game. Martin is the Tri-Lakes Edition Softball Player of the Year.

Regan Martin took full advantage of being the lead pitcher for the Sheridan Lady Yellowjackets during her junior season.

Martin, who was named the most valuable player of the Class 6A state tournament, is the 2016 Tri-Lakes Edition Softball Player of the Year.

“Regan is such a humble athlete,” coach Tamara Strawn said. “She strives to do whatever it takes for her team. As a pitcher, she knew she had big shoes to fill after Morgan Burke graduated; and fill those shoes she did.”

Martin spent most of her time in the circle and batted only a few times. During Sheridan’s 6-0 win over Benton in the state title game, Martin gave up only six hits.

“We peaked at the right time,” Martin said of her team. “We won the finals. And to win this award is awesome for me.”

Martin described winning the state title as “amazing.”

“You just throw your glove up, catch it, throw it down and go hug the closest person to you,” she said. “You’re just excited that it happened. You don’t really think it happened until afterwards.”

Sheridan and Benton had split two regular-season conference games, each team winning by a run at home.

“Everyone thought it was going to be a good game because all the games had been close,” Martin said of the title tilt. “When we went up there and jumped on them, I knew we had it from there.”

Martin, who is playing in a tournament this weekend in Alabama with her summer team from Maumelle, said she has been playing softball since “I was able to walk.”

Martin said she loves the whole aspect of the game.

“You get to work hard, and I’ve met some of my best friends from playing this sport,” she said.

Strawn said Martin improved with each game during the season.

“As a pitcher, she knew she wouldn’t strike out everyone but she 100 percent trusted her defense,” Strawn said. “She and catcher Corbin Talbert were a team. They trusted each other. They helped each other look and perform their best.

“Regan is a winner. She wants her team to be successful. As a coach, I admire Regan. She always carried herself the same whether she struck a batter out, hit them with a pitch or walked them. Her mental side of the game is so strong, and if you aren’t mentally strong as a pitcher, you are in a trouble.”

Strawn said in the state title game, her team finished its mission.

“Regan is our quiet leader,” she said. “Her actions truly speak louder than words ever could. I adore this team. I am honored to have front-row seats to watch what they love do to and to grow into disciplined, hard-working ladies.”

Martin’s future plans include wanting to play softball at the collegiate level.

“I haven’t had any money offers but I’ve had someone ask me to come try out for them,” she said.

Staff writer Mark Buffalo can be reached at (501) 399-3676 or mbuffalo@arkansasonline.com.

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