MONTGOMERY, Ala. — Even with the 2011 high-school season over, some elite incoming seniors are now busy getting ready for the North-South All-Star games in July.

Local athletes selected for spring sports teams in baseball, softball and boys and girls soccer will take part in the all-star contests in Montgomery in the 15th Alabama All-Star Sports Week which runs from July 11-15.

In softball, Morgan Yates of Spanish Fort was selected primarily as a pitcher, but the right-hander also hits and plays infield for the Toros.

The five-year letterman went 21-8-1 as a junior starter in the circle with two saves, 149 strikeouts in 160 innings of work and recorded a 0.206 ERA. Her numbers at the plate for the season were .344 hitting with a .408 on-base percentage. She had 5 doubles, 2 triples and 24 RBIs.

First-year Spanish Fort head coach Sean Womack said Yates deserved the recognition individually, but is a real team-first player and was an important part of the Toros’ 2011 success, falling one-run short of a berth in the state tournament.

“We’re proud of Morgan,” he said. “We nominated three and she was selected. I hoped it would have been all of them, but she was very qualified and deserving and the committee agreed. As a pitcher, Morgan is the one we depend on most. She understands that and has been a hard worker, working hard year round knowing how much we need her. Her work ethic is outstanding. She has command of all her pitches. She may not have the speed of some of these others, but she can throw most of her pitches on any count. And that's a very important skill.”

Womack, who took over the team last summer, said Yates has a rare knack for staying calm when the proverbial wheels fall off the wagon during some games.

“She has the ability to forget about what just happened and most people can’t do that, especially at this level. But that’s just one of the things that most impress me about her,” he said. “And she can hit, bunt and play defense. She knows what to do in any situation.”

Yates was the only Baldwin player selected. Other Mobile County players include: Catchers: Kourtnee Owens, Saint Paul’s; Rachel Vincent, Baker. Infielders: Emily Messer, Saint Paul’s; Outfielders: Emily Evans, Theodore. The South coaches are Gennie Honel, Trinity Presbyterian; Brian Callaway, Mobile Christian and Susan Barnes, Elba (administrative).

The softball doubleheader will be played July 11, at 6 p.m. at Lagoon Park.

For a complete list of players and other sports rosters and schedules, go to: www.ahsaa.com