GRAY DEYOSports Writer

Freshman Lady Wildcat softball player Avanley Metcalf is ranked as one of the best prospects in her graduating class.

Metcalf is already getting attention in her first year of play on the diamond in high school. She ended the season with a .373 batting average, and 20 RBIs. Metcalf is also a versatile player on defense. She pitched and played first base for the ‘Cats this year. While at first she only had one error over the season.

Metcalf was named to the all-district team this season, and recently on a ranking done by Line Drive Media she was ranked as the #27th prospect in the class of 2028.

Some of Metcalf’s best games from this past season

On March 21 against Huntland Metcalf went a perfect 2-2 from the plate. The game only went three innings due to a mercy rule 15-0 win for Tullahoma. Metcalf led the game in total bases for Tullahoma with four, hitting a single and a triple. Her triple happened in the third and last inning of the game. She picked up two RBIs off of this rifling shot to right field, scoring in Madi Goad and Kaitlynn Gattis.

On May 1 the freshman showed off her poise from the plate in a narrow 3-2 win against Central Magnet. She went 0-1 from the plate but had three walks. This helped put some pressure on Central, in a game where the two teams combined for nine hits. This performance showed the versatility of Metcalf in being able to affect a game in a multitude of ways. And it seems that power-hitting might be the next weapon Metcalf is adding to her arsenal.

On March 17 the Lady Wildcats won a four-frame game 18-1. Metcalf went 3-4 in this game and recorded her first homerun in her high school career. She led the game in total bases with eight, with Goad finishing behind her with six.

With Goad graduating, the roster for Tullahoma will have a hole in the power department. She is the all-time leader in program history in home runs and set the single-season record this season. And although you certainly can not replace the long ball hitting of the senior, another offseason of development for the talented Metcalf could help minimize the loss of Tullahoma’s star.

On April 18 Metcalf hit her second home run of the season in a 13-1 win against Marion County.

Metcalf will have a full season of travel ball and practice to prep for the 2025-2026 season. She and the Wildcats will look to improve their record for the third second season in a row.