So her team didn’t win the Dixie Youth 9-10 District 8 Tournament. And maybe they lost their last two games by a combined total of two runs.

But the end result in no way discounts the efforts and production of Lara Little.

In last Monday night’s game against Gilbertown, Little came to the plate with one out and her team down 4-0 in its final at-bat.

With the prospects of winning apparently bleak, Little roped a single that plated teammates Jessica Adams and Hanna Malone to cut the lead to 4-2. While that game would end with the tying run at third base, Little showed a maturity beyond her young age as she was the first out of the dugout to take part in the congratulatory post-game walk that saw her and her teammates shake hands with the Gilbertown players.

Little then bounced back strong one night later when the team challenged Butler in what proved to be a pitchers’ duel.

She set the tone for the Demopolis hurlers that night, going two innings and allowing only one base runner to keep Butler scoreless while she patrolled the circle.

Her softball season may be over and she may have to turn her focus to next year, but for at least for now, Lara Little can know without doubt that she is the Player of the Week.