SB: Schulz, Nichols named to All-18-3A squad
player during the 2011 season. She will return for her senior season in
2012. (Photo by Ray Jackson)
The Center Lady Riders were shut out in First-Team All-District 18-3A softball selections when the elite players of the league were named recently, but CHS catcher Kaley Nichols and right fielder Michaela Schulz shone bright as they were named to the all-league second-team.
The district's coaches selected 29 players to the superlative, first and second-team honors. Hudson sophomore pitcher Kelsee Selman was named the District 18-3A Most Valuable Player, while Huntington freshman pitcher/utility player Erica Wright was named the Newcomer of the Year.
Hudson head coach Jimmy Ebby was the Coach of the Year.
Hudson and Huntington both had seven players selected to the superlative and first and second team honors. Jasper and Central had four members of its team recognized, while Diboll had three players named and Center and Kirbyville had two each.
Twenty-four players in the district received honorable mention and 29 players received Academic All-District honors.
Huntington (31-9) advanced to the Class 3A state softball tournament despite finishing second in the league standings behind Hudson. The Devilettes lost to Celina, 4-3, in 11 innings in the semi-final game. Celina (36-6-3) went on to capture the Class 3A state championship with a 5-1 win over West.
Hudson received a first-round playoff bye and then was upset by Waco Robinson, 3-0, in the Area round of the playoffs. Jasper placed third in the league and defeated Brownsboro in the bi-district round before falling to Groesbeck in Area play.
Diboll placed fourth in the league, while Center posted a 12-16 mark to come in fifth with a 3-9 mark. Kirbyville tied Center for the position, while Central came in last in the district.
Huntington had four players named to first-team all-district honors, while Hudson had three, Jasper and Central had two each and Diboll had one player recognized.
Second-Team All-District 18-3A honors were almost even, with Hudson having three players named, while the other six teams had two players named to the second squad.
Center players receiving honorable mention included: Marnie Mize; Destiny Russell; Ashley Schulz; Erica Eddins; Kelsey Owens; and Taylor Flournoy.
Lady Riders named to the All-Academic District 18-3A team included: Eddins; Russell; Mize; Nichols; Owens; Suzanne Peace; and Ashley Lowe.
18-3A ALL-DISTRICT SOFTBALL SELECTIONS
SUPERLATIVES
Most Valuable Player
Kelsee Selman (So./P) - Hudson
Newcomer of the Year
Erica Wright (Fr./P/U) - Huntington
Coach of the Year
Jimmy Ebby - Hudson
FIRST-TEAM ALL-DISTRICT
Pitchers
Brooke Garcia (So.) - Jasper
Kelsie Batten (Jr.) - Huntington
Catcher
Faith Ellison (Sr.) - Hudson
First Base
Ashley Wright (Jr.) - Huntington
Second Base
Jenni Bowden (Sr.) - Huntington
Shortstop
Kelsey Moulder (Jr.) - Hudson
Third Base
Jade Havard (Jr.) - Hudson
Outfielders
Ashlyn Brown (Jr.) - Central
Kelsey Kirkland (Sr.) - Huntington
Hannah Boyett (So.) - Jasper
Designated Player
Halie Patterson (So.) - Central
Utility Player
Natalie Chagolla (Sr.) - Diboll
SECOND-TEAM ALL-DISTRICT
Pitchers
Lexe Wilson (So.) - Kirbyville
Collyn McClendon (Sr.) - Central
Catchers
Ashley Clark (So.) - Jasper
Kaley Nichols (Sr.) - Center
Victoria Guajardo (Sr.) - Diboll
First Base
Krissy Capps (Fr.) - Central
Second Base
Cassidy Braswell (So.) - Hudson
Shortstop
Cassidy Ivy (Sr.) - Huntington
Third Base
Madison Summers (Jr.) - Huntington
Outfielders
Michaela Schulz (Jr.) - Center
Brianna Presley (Fr.) - Jasper
Myra Olvera (So.) - Diboll
K.K. Parker (Fr.) - Hudson
Designated Player
Marlee Guidry (Jr.) - Hudson
Utility Player
Brittany Williams (Jr.) - Kirbyville
HONORABLE MENTION
Center
Marnie Mize (Sr.)
Destiny Russell (Sr.)
Ashley Schulz (Sr.)
Erica Eddins (Jr.)
Kelsey Owens (Jr.)
Taylor Fournoy (Fr.)
Hudson
Savanah Clark (Sr.)
Maddison Selman (Fr.)
Connie King (Jr.)
Huntington
Heather Hollingsworth (Jr.)
Breann McNeese (Fr.)
Central
Haley Clark (Fr.)
Kirbyville
Peyton Hughes (Sr.)
Deanna Burdge (Sr.)
Shelby Gilchriest (Sr.)
Makenzie Cooper (Jr.)
Carly Lewis
Diboll
Tiana Garcia (Sr.)
Sarah Morado (Sr.)
Abbie Cardona (Jr.)
Jasper
Kayla Street (Fr.)
Cassidy Clark (Fr.)
Kyanna Slaydon (So.)
Kayle Dickerson (So.)
ACADEMIC ALL-DISTRICT
Center
Erica Eddins
Ashley Lowe
Marnie Mize
Kaley Nichols
Kelsey Owens
Suzanne Peace
Destiny Russell
Hudson
Mariah Melvin
Connie King
Jade Havard
Kayla Caldwell
Cassidy Brasuell
Alyssa Dotson
Huntington
Heather Hollingsworth
Briana Stokely
Ashley Wright
Erica Wright
Kelsey Kirkland
Cassidy Ivy
Jenni Bowden
Kelsie Batten
Central
Ashlynn Brown
Jessica McRae
Kirbyville
Deanna Burdge
Peyton Hughes
Dakota Nielsen
Lexes Wilson
Diboll
Sarah Morado
Sarah Smith