Trenton freshman Addison Allaire lost to her travel ball teammate, freshman Leanna Bourdage, last Thursday in a pitcher’s duel between the two young pitchers.
Despite a 2-0 loss at unbeaten GHS, which is ranked eighth overall in Florida and No. 2 in Class 5A by MaxPreps, Allaire was dominant throughout.
She struck out nine of the first 11 batters she faced and finished the game with 17 strikeouts, allowing just one earned run in six innings of work.
For the week, she had two home runs in one game (Wewahitchka) and finished with 27 strikeouts in 10.1 innings pitched against the Hurricanes (9-0) and the Gators.
She has been recognized as the Pavlik Orthodontics Athlete of the Week for the week of March 4.
As an 8th-grader, Allaire helped lead the Trenton softball team to a 16-9 record and a spot in the Class 1A state playoffs.
She finished 2023 with a .446 batting average and a 1.62 ERA in the circle and earned All Area honors.
“This is her fourth year on varsity,” said Trenton coach Clint Anderson. “She’s bigger, stronger, and faster. She works hard, nobody will outwork her. She’s at the ballfield as much as she can be. During the summer you would see her three or four times per week with her dad throwing or hitting. She just lives at the ballfield. She’s really grown.”
She also pitched 4.1 innings against Wewahitchka on Friday and allowed no earned runs on two hits with only two walks and 10 strikeouts.
“If she’s hitting her spots and her curveball is working well and her change-up is working well, she keeps batters off balance,” Anderson said. “She’s picked up some speed this year and probably throwing 63, 64, 65 [miles per hour] sometimes. She’s doing a good job and if we play defense behind her, we’re going to be successful.”
Trenton is currently 8-1 and ranked No. 2 in 1A and 17th overall in Florida by MaxPreps.
Anderson said the key to Allaire’s success in the circle will also be determined by the Tigers’ offense, which is batting .308 through nine games.
“We have to hit the ball,” Anderson said. “That’s the problem. We have to put runs on the board to help her. She’s swinging the bat well too this year so she’s going to help herself out when she can.”
She did just that in a 14-6 win at home against Wewahitchka, belting two home runs with five RBI.
Allaire is the 29th athlete to be selected for the weekly award during the 2023-24 school year.
Last week’s winner was Jhalea Jackson of the Hawthorne girls’ basketball team.
Jackson scored 12 points, grabbed 11 rebounds, and recorded a game-high four blocks in a 44-41 win against top-ranked Wildwood in the Class 1A state semifinals, followed by 13 points and a game-high 13 rebounds in a 43-40 win against Graceville in the 1A state championship game.
Recent winners include Evan Sterck of The Rock boys’ basketball national team and Ori Sela of the Gainesville girls weightlifting team.
For a complete list of winners, click here.
Coaches are encouraged to email their nominations each week, along with stats, no later than Sunday night to mike.ridaught@mainstreetdailynews.com.