SPANISH FORT, Alabama - A supercharged battery pack. That’s to whom Faulkner State Community College softball coach Josh Johnson officially said, “Hello,” and Spanish Fort coach Sean Womack said, “Farewell,” last week on Toro Hill.

Catcher Brianna Owens and pitcher Morgan Yates have tossed a grapefruit sized ball back and forth so many times that they could do it in their sleep, but on the field is one place they were never caught napping. Womack said they represented dreams coming true, especially when fueled by hard work.

“They epitomize that dreams do come true and that all the hard work has paid off,” he said. “I know Josh got two fine ball players here today. They just have such a great work ethic. They have been playing ball together since middle school. And for a pitcher-catcher combination that's a long time. They know the game and each other really well.”

The pair have played together at SFHS since the seventh grade and in summer leagues together since the sixth. Both caught, played and/or pitched in three state tournaments as eighth-graders, freshmen and seniors.

Johnson agreed the time together as a battery was a big bonus to a softball program.

“It’s great that they have worked together over time and shown that they do it well. One of the things we look for in players, though, not only the ability to play and handle pressure situations, but also to work well with your teammates.”

Yates, a right handed pitcher who hit and ran the bases too well to have designated hitters and courtesy runners most of her career, said she will miss swinging the bat as often, but is happy to focus on her first love of the game—pitching.

“It’s awesome,” she said. “Especially getting to go with Bri. We have known each other for so long and play so well together. I love softball and getting to continue is amazing and I’m really looking forward to playing there with her. Coach Johnson is a pitcher and he can help me get better and I love that it’s close to home. I want to thank my parents, Kevin and Sonya for these whole six years and supporting me, helping me to get better. They were always there for me. My teammates and God of course for the ability to play.”

Yates finished 2012 at 19-13 with a 1.53 ERA and helped herself at the plate with a .370 average which included 26 RBIs off nine doubles, four triples and three home runs. She is enrolling undeclared for a major but has expressed interest in medical technology.

Johnson said Yates’ record and stats speak for themselves, but her ability to keep it together when the wheels are falling off is even more important.

“I’ve watched her for a couple of years now,” he said. “When things are not going well, everybody looks to the pitcher to get them out of it. She handles mistakes well, with maturity. Knows you can’t undo a thing that's done, so you focus on the next pitch with respect to the situation. She has ice-water veins out there.”

Owens, who suffered an injury at the start of basketball season in November, worked extra hard in rehab to get cleared in time to play for senior night late at the end of the regular season. She went on to finish the season at the Elite Eight 5A state tournament with Yates helping the Lady Toros to a fourth-place state run.

“I’m excited to play at the next level,” she said. “I know it’s going to be a lot of work, but I’m ready. It’s really exciting to get to keep working with Morgan. It means a lot and I appreciate coach Johnson giving me this chance. After the injury I wasn’t sure I would get a scholarship.

“And I want to thank my mom (Karen Pager) and my dad (Darren Owens) for their support and my trainer Rob (Milam) for working with me and getting me back from my injury and all my teammates.”

Owens is considering a career in criminal justice. Her father is in law enforcement and her grandfather, Gene Owens, is a retired FBI special agent.

In her abbreviated senior season, Owens hit .260 with three doubles, a triple and nine RBIs. Johnson said Owens has it all for a catcher, physical size, arm strength and good plate presence—all of which he expects to only get better. But added that her leadership qualities make her stand out.

Womack said Owens return re-energized his team.

“I hate that she only got about a third of a season in, but when she came back, our girls got that old air of confidence back. You could sense it on the field. Earlier in the year we struggled trying to find ourselves, but when Bri stepped back on that field we were able to find our identity again.”

Womack said Faulkner was getting two great leaders in Owens and Yates.

“Bri and Mo both are leaders by example. They give it all, all the time. They understand the importance of that and doing the little things right.”