File photo by David Schreiber Jessica Collins of Detroit had a brilliant sophomore season, hitting .571 with 21 RBI, nine doubles, six triples and three home runs. She was recently named to the D-2 All-State team.

After helping Country Day softball reach the quarters, Collins and Dyer earn All-State recognition

By Mike Moore
C & G Sports Writer

BEVERLY HILLS — Whenever a team goes on a long playoff run, there’s typically a solid formula of play behind it that includes a deep roster and a certain togetherness of players, as well as some exceptional individuals.

The Beverly Hills Detroit Country Day softball team had all of the above.

The Yellowjackets made program history in the spring of 2010, turning a solid regular season into a sixth straight district title and first-ever regional crown.

There’s little question the depth and cohesiveness played an integral role in what the team did, but there was also plenty of individual talent, most notably Jessica Collins and Becca Dyer, who were recently named to the All-State first-team and honorable-mention squad, respectively.

Super sophomore
As a freshman, Collins was a lighting rod in the leadoff spot for Country Day and earned honorable mention on the Division 2 All-State team.

As a sophomore, she took her game to another level, and subsequently did likewise on the All-State roster.

“It’s so exciting to get on the All-State team. I know I made my dad proud,” Collins of Detroit said with a laugh. “Honestly, I thought I’d just make honorable mention. To get first team was awesome.”

It was also earned.
Collins hit .571 this year. She was second on the team with 21 RBIs, had nine doubles, six triples, three home runs, an .880 slugging percentage, 25 steals and scored nearly 50 runs.

“She’s a tremendous all-around player,” coach John Meyers said. “To hit as well as she did and have that many RBIs as a lead-off hitter was phenomenal. It was pretty simple for us. When she got on base, we were usually going to score.”

Collins was at her best in the big games, as well. In the team’s five playoff contests, she had 19 hits in 23 at-bats.

“I just tried to find ways to get on base,” she said. “You can’t always hit for power, and you can’t always play small ball. I liked to mix it up.”

Pure dominance
While Collins provided the punch on offense, Dyer was shutting the door in the circle. The Shelby Township senior was simply dominant this season, going 20-5 with a 0.77 ERA en route to her honorable-mention recognition.

“She’s not necessarily overpowering, but she throws quick and she can hit her spots real well,” Meyers said. “Her change-up was excellent. When she was on, she was tough to hit, and she was usually on.”

After sitting down 301 batters on strikes in her first year with the Yellowjackets — she transferred from Utica High after her sophomore season — Dyer ended her senior campaign with 290 strikeouts. In her two years with Country Day, she averaged 12.5 strikeouts a game.

“There were times I found myself barely watching the game because I was so focused on pitching,” Dyer, who will play softball at Denison University next spring, said with a laugh.

“Really, though, this was a year I enjoyed so much. It was such a great experience, and to get recognized for this just makes it even sweeter.”

“Becca’s one of those girls that will really be missed,” Meyers added. “You can’t replace the experience and the talent she had.”

You can reach Sports Writer Mike Moore at mmoore@candgnews.com or at (586) 498-1038.