Best Foot Forward

Vestavia Hills’ Softball Team Hoping to Peak at the Right Time

By RuBin E. GRant

John Simmons’ second season as head softball coach of the Vestavia Hills Rebels couldn’t be going any better.

Last weekend, Vestavia Hills was 3-0 in the Buccaneer Round Robin tournament at the Hoover Met with wins against Jasper 13-2, Mortimer Jordan 3-2, and Sparkman 8-4 to improve to 23-4 on the season. Earlier in the season, the Rebels put together a 13-game winning streak.

But Simmons isn’t ready to do any celebrating a month into the season, especially after the disappointing finish to his first season, in 2022.

“Last year we had a fantastic year as far as wins and losses,” Simmons said, referring to the Rebels’ 32-16 record. “But we had so many injuries. We had seven varsity starters who dealt with injuries that hurt us and we didn’t make it out of area.

“I feel if we can stay healthy this season, we’ll have a chance to make it out of area.”

The Rebels have changed areas this season. Last year, they competed in Class 7A, Area 6 with Spain Park, Oak Mountain and Hewitt-Trussville. This season, Vestavia Hills is competing in Area 5 with Hoover, Thompson and Tuscaloosa County.

Simmons, who notched his 700th career coaching victory earlier this season, believes it will be a challenge to make it out of area even if the Rebels are healthy.

“I think we’re in the toughest area in the state,” he said. “When the first Class 7A rankings came out last week, the No. 1 team (Thompson), No. 5 team (Hoover), No. 7 team (Vestavia Hills) and No. 8 team (Tuscaloosa County) were from our area. Two of us won’t get in (the regionals).”

The Rebels opened area play last week and split two games, losing to Hoover 7-1 on Tuesday and beating Thompson 9-4 on Thursday.

Simmons likes the competitive spirit of his team.

“We’ve shown a lot of tenacity with an ability to come from behind and put runs on the board,” Simmons said. “At Thompson, we were behind 3-2 and just kept fighting.”

The Rebels have six seniors, including two who have signed college scholarships. Pitcher-first baseman Miah Simmons, the coach’s daughter, signed with the University of Mobile, and middle infielder Kayla Franklin signed with Chipola College in Florida.

The other seniors are twins Ella Gallaspy and Abby Gallaspy, both outfielders, catcher M.K. Meeks and infielder Catherine Cassimus.

Junior Tait Davidson, a UAB commit, teams with Miah Simmons to give the Rebels a formidable duo in the pitching circle. In the victory against Jasper in the Buccaneer Round Robin, Davidson threw four innings with eight strikeouts. She wound up pitching 14 2/3 innings with 26 strikeouts and no earned runs allowed in the tournament.

The Rebels have some other experienced juniors, including Lucy Spisto, who plays center field and in the middle infield, and Laura Faith Beard, an outfielder. Two other juniors, third baseman Reese Johnson and outfielder Evelyn Splawn, also have contributed to the Rebels’ success.

Sophomore E.J. Bragan has been doing the bulk of the catching.

The Rebels have been getting offensive contributions throughout their lineup. In the victory over Thompson, the Gallaspy twins combined for five hits and three RBI. Beard had two hits. In the tournament at Hoover, Spisto batted .375, Simmons also hit .375 with five runs batted in, and Beard batted .333, as did Abby Gallaspy. Franklin had a home run and three RBI.

“They just keep battling and have a better mental approach at the plate,” Simmons said.

Simmons hopes the Rebels will continue to be consistent and peak at the right time.

“We want to keep putting our best foot forward and come April we want to be playing our best ball,” he said.