Ryland Culbertson from Laurens Academy and Ashley Butler from Laurens High School have been named Players of the Year on the inaugural GoLaurens.com/GoClinton.com All-Laurens County baseball and softball teams for the 2010 season.

For the first time ever, GoLaurens.com and GoClinton.com are recognizing the top performers for an All-Laurens County team from the baseball and softball programs at Laurens High School, Clinton High School and Laurens Academy. 

Butch Clark, softball coach from Laurens High School, and Lee Atkinson, baseball coach from Clinton High School, were named Laurens County Coaches of the Year. 

Culbertson, a senior at Laurens Academy, led the Crusaders to a 12-7 record and a number one overall SCISA Class A playoff seed. He went 5-2 on the mound this year with 67 strikeouts and only eight walks in 47 innings. He ended the regular season with a 1.17 earned run average.

“He was really strong this year and matured very well,” said LA Head Baseball Coach Travis Casey. “He stepped up as a senior and as a leader. He did really well and carried us.”

Culbertson will attend the University of South Carolina to play football in fall 2010 as a long snapper.

The Crusaders will begin playoffs at home on Tuesday, May 4. First pitch is scheduled for 6:00pm. The Crusaders will face Clarendon Hall in a best-of-three state semifinal series.

Butler, a senior at Laurens High School, helped lead the Lady Raiders to their first region title in the history of the program this year. With a batting average of .622 and eight homeruns, Butler was the leading hitter for Laurens this season.

Upon graduation, Butler will attend USC Upstate on a softball scholarship.

The Lady Raiders have advanced to the finals of the District One Upper State bracket by defeating Gaffney and Byrnes. The Lady Raiders are in the winners bracket and will have to win one of two games on Wednesday to advance to the Upper State championship bracket.

“If we do what we need to, we can make it all the way,” said Butler.

The remaining members of the All-Laurens County baseball team are:

Lee Atkinson, Clinton High School - Coach of the Year

Logan Jones, Clinton High School - .314 average, 16 hits, 12 RBI

Nick O'Shields, Clinton High School - .290 average, 20 hits, 16RBI

Dillon Tucker, Clinton High School - .293 average, 17 hits, 12 RBI, 11 stolen bases, 3-1 record as a pitcher

Cody Simmons, Clinton High School - .400 average, 30 hits, 15 RBI, 12 stolen bases

JE Satterfield, Laurens Academy - .435 average, 27 hits, 21 RBI

Taylor Sims, Laurens Academy - .375 average, 21 hits, 5 homeruns, 14 RBI

Brandon Martin, Laurens Academy - .333 average, 18 hits, 4 triples, 10 stolen bases, 2.33 ERA as a pitcher

Tori Patterson, Laurens High School - .423 average, All-Region I-AAAA selection, SCACA North-South all-star

Allen Staton, Laurens High School - .386 average, 4 homeruns, 20, RBI, 9 doubles

The remaining members of the All-Laurens County softball team are:

Butch Clark, Laurens High School - Coach of the Year

Jessie Ginn, Clinton High School - .453 average, 24 hits

Jada Crocker, Clinton High School - .327 average, 16 hits

Amber Jones, Clinton High School - .288 average, 2 homeruns

Nicole Tindall, Laurens Academy - shortstop

Roni Noffz, Laurens High School - .333 average, 25 hits

Ali Rogers, Laurens High School - .324 average, 24 hits

Toni Coomer, Laurens High School - .397 average, 31 hits, 11 stolen bases

Marissa Wagner, Laurens High School - .328 average, 22 hits, 9 sacrifices

Liz Williamson, Laurens High School - .459 average, 34 hits, 144 innings pitched, 251 strikeouts, 48 walks, 1.60 ERA

Click here to see photos of the All-Laurens County teams