ALL-STARS: Former Tazewell Softball Player Scores Lone Run for West loss

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. — There was no stopping Tiffany Harris.

Seconds after the ball was hit, she zoomed around third base, headed for home and scored in a cloud of dust.

Fans around the Southwest District are accustomed to such heroics from the Tazewell High School graduate. Thursday morning at Christopher Newport University, Harris scored the lone run for the West in a 6-1 loss to the East at the VHSCA All-Star softball game.

“I’ll remember that run for a while,” Harris said. “The coach told me to go, and I was gone.”
Harris and Jenny Keene of Richlands represented Southwest Virginia in the game. Virginia High pitcher Cassie Campbell was unable to participate due to an injury.

For Harris, the day represented the final piece of a breakthrough year where the three-year starter compiled a .431 batting average with two home runs and eight stolen bases. Those numbers were enough to garner first-team All-Southwest Virginia honors and earn the opportunity to play softball at Walters State Community College in Morristown, Tenn.

While Harris grounded out and popped out in her two plate appearances Thursday, she converted a series of difficult defensive plays in centerfield.
In addition to support from a large number of family members at CNU, Harris gained motivation through the example of former Tazewell star Whitney Davis.

After an impressive performance in the 2006 VHSCA softball game, Davis earned a starting role on the Virginia Tech softball team as a walk-on and started on Tech’s NCAA World Series squad this season.

“I played with Whitney in my sophomore year, and her example shows that hard work, heart and dedication will take you a long way no matter where you are from,” said Harris, whose father Jeff was a star running back at Tazewell who earned a scholarship to Bluefield State University. “I always try to play hard and keep my teammates up with my energy.”

Meanwhile, it was a bittersweet day for Keene. The two-sport standout earned the start at shortstop in her farewell performance. Keene plans to enroll into the nursing program at
Southwest Virginia Community College, and hopes to eventually earn her certification as a nurse practictioner.

Keene posted a batting average of .520 with six home runs and eight doubles as a senior. She also reached the 1,000-point in basketball.

“I started with T-ball at age five and played two sports all the way up to now,” Keene said. “I came down here to have a good time and not put any pressure on myself.”

Though Keene struck out in both of her at-bats Thursday, she came away with a big smile.

“I didn’t expect to start, but that was nice,” Keene said. “I made a lot of memories on this diamond. Once the game ended, it hit home that this was the last time I would be out here competing. It’s really sinking in now.”

Nearly five hours later, Keene was still wearing her Richlands uniform as she watched classmate Jordan Barnett pitch in the VHSCA baseball game.

West coach Barry Reed of Virginia High was upset with the number of unearned runs allowed by his team, yet he was proud of his local stars.

“Jenny is a big strong athlete who has worked hard to develop her skills. And every coach would like to have a player like Tiffany,” Reed said. “Tiffany has a very pleasant personality, plus she handles the bat well, has a strong arm and covers a lot of ground.

“Once she got the opportunity, I knew Tiffany was going to score for us.”

Harris was inserted as a pinch-runner and moved into position to score her fifth inning run by stealing second base.

“I ve got some speed and I like to use it,” Harris said. “I don’t look back. I just go.”

Second baseman Brittany Davidson of Fort Defiance earned MVP honors for the West. The East has won nine straight games in the series.

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