After tearing her ACL last basketball season, Jennifer Sapp’s 2012 softball season was in serious doubt. But a strong work ethic and countless months of rehab had the Pisgah junior back on the field by early August — and it’s a good thing for Mount Pisgah.

Sapp’s performance, both at the plate and in the circle, were key reasons for Pisgah’s run to a Class-A State Championship.

“She worked so hard after her surgery, all through the summer, and managed to get released for our first game,” said Mount Pisgah coach Haley Brooks.

“She stepped up in several pressure situations in Columbus and because of her [clutch] pitching and timely hitting; we pulled off a [state] title.”

Sapp hit .385 in the tournament and allowed just one earned run in nearly seven innings pitched. Her biggest moments came against Prince Avenue Christian when she stroked a game-tying double in the state semifinal game and pitched 3 1/3 innings to earn the save in the state championship.

The strong tournament only capped off what was a stellar season. Sapp hit .379 at the plate with three homeruns and had seven wins in the circle, tallying 24 strikeouts with a 2.42 ERA.

“Jennifer is truly a pleasure to coach. I admire her dedication to not only the game of softball, but to her team as well,” Brooks said. “She worked so hard when no one was watching…and it paid off not only for her, but the team in the end!”