TABITHA HEBERT, Class of 2001

The first female inductee into the Lowell High School Hall of Fame whose perfor­ mances stretched into the new millenium, Tabitha Hebert played a dominant role in the golden era of Lowell High School Softball.

A well-rounded, versatile athlete, Tabitha made significant contributions to both the Raider volleyball and indoor track programs, earning Merrimack Valley Conference All Star honors in the former and qualifying for the Eastern Massachusetts State Class A Championship Meet in the shot put in the latter.

However, it was on the softball diamond that Tabitha established herself as one of Lowell High School’s athletic elites. A four-year varsity performer,Tabitha first made her mark as a sophomore (1999).

The starting shortstop for coach Rick O’Brien’s 13-10 squad, Tabitha batted .313 and led the Red and Gray in at bats (76), doubles (5) home runs (1) and RBI’s (11). she earned MVC All-Conference honors at the conclusion of the season. As a junior (2000) Tabitha blossomed into one of the most productive two way performers in school history, leading Lowell to the semi-finals of the North Sectional in the State Tournament and an overall record of 14-11. Pitchinq all but 2 of Lowell’s total innings for the entire season. Tabitha set LHS records in-innings pitched (187.2) strike outs (184). shutouts (7), earned run average (0.52), and innings pitched in a game (16).She recorded 7 1O+strike out qames. including 13 in an heroic 16-inning complete game 2-hit victory over #1 seed Peabody in a North Sectional Tournament contest. Offensively, Tabitha led the Raiders in batting average (.400), runs scored (11), hits (32), doubles (4), and home runs(1), that being a grand slam. Once again an MVC All conference selection, Tabitha also was named as a Lowell Sun and Boston Herald All-Star as well team MVP for Lowell.

As a senior (2001) Tabitha continued to exhibit excellence on the field, helping Lowell (17-6) advance to the North Sectional final in the State Tournament for the first time in school history. Again a dominant force on the mound, she compiled a 14-5 record with 139 stril<e outs in 134 innings, an earned run average of 0.99, and 5 shut outs. She recorded 4 10+ strike out games, including15 K’ s against Dracut. Offensively, Tabitha hit .348 and led the team with a scnool record 9 doubles.

Tabitha was named MVC Division I Player-of-the-Year while once again earning Lowell Sun and Boston Herald All Star honors. she was also again named LHS’s MVP.

Tabitha’s  career  statistics are  quite  impressive. In 330.2  innings pitched she struck  out  330  batters. She  compiled an  overall record of  29-16  and  recorded an   earned  run   average  of   0.74   while   recording  13  shutouts.  Her   career batting average  was  a  lofty  .336   and  she   had  18  doubles, 34  RBI’s   and  2 home  runs,  including the  first  ever  hit  over  the  fence  at Lowell’s Martin  Field.

After graduation Tabitha continued her softball career at the University of Massachusetts, Lowell (class of 2005). She earned Northeast-10 All-Conference honors in 2002, 2003, and 2004 for the Riverhawks, ECAC All Star honors in 2002, All-New England honors in 2003 and 2004, and TPS All Regional honors in 2002, 2003, and 2004.

[slickr-flickr tag=”Hebert” flickr_link=”on” sort=”title” direction=”ascending”]