SB: BHS, Carthage players among All-ET softball
Texas Second Team after helping the Carthage Lady Bulldogs to a
playoff spot in District 16-3A this season. (Photo by John Krueger)
Beckville long run in the Class 1A playoffs prompted a number of its players to be honored recently on the All-East Texas Softball team, as selected by the sports staff of the Longview News-Journal. Carthage was also represented well on the squad. Here is a list of the complete teams:
MOST VALUABLE PLAYER
TIARRA DAVIS
Class — Sophomore
Position — Pitcher
School — Henderson
By the numbers — Davis, who has already committed to Texas, went 22-4 with a 1.31 earned run average and 239 strikeouts in 149 2/3 innings pitched. From the plate, she hit .547 with one home run, 22 RBIs, three triples, 17 doubles and 12 walks. She struck out once in 110 at-bats and stole 22 bases in 24 attempts.
In two seasons at the high school level, Davis has 397 strikeouts in 260 1/3 innings and has hit 21 doubles and stolen 29 bases.
Henderson coach Julie Murry — “She is very much the total package. One thing I appreciate so much is how much she grew up in a season, and I credit that to what she puts in outside of high school softball. She does a lot on her own. She’s already playing this summer trying to get better. I really appreciated how she played and the way she competed for us this season, and I like how she remained calm, cool and collected for us in big situations. She didn’t mind putting us on her shoulders and carrying the load. You look for that in a pitcher because they are so much in control of the game.”
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TOP PITCHER
JAMIE ALLRED
Class — Junior
School — Hallsville
By the numbers — Allred finished the 2011 season 23-6 with a 0.84 earned run average and 216 strikeouts to lead the Bobcats to the Class 4A Region II semifinal round. She hit .350 with two triples and three doubles.
Allred is 40-9 with 376 strikeouts in the past two seasons.
Hallsville coach Pat Eitel — “She had a great year. She’s just been solid from the circle for us since she’s been a freshman and she’s just getting more mature each year and it’s showing with the numbers. She shut down the No. 1 team in the state (Elgin) in the playoffs and nobody else had doen that this year. She keeps us in every ball game and gives us a chance to win, and I think she is one of the best pitchers in East Texas. She proves it by the numbers she has each year, and I’m looking forward to her having an unbelievable senior year.”
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TOP HITTER
LAKIN KERBY
Class — Junior
Position — Third base
School — Hallsville
By the numbers — Kerby formed a formidable 1-2 punch with outfielder Sara Matthews in the middle of Hallsville’s lineup as she hit .461 with 11 home runs, 57 RBIs, 13 doubles and 44 runs scored. The duo combined for 20 homers and 99 RBIs as Hallsville reached the fourth round of the Class 4A Region II postseason for the second consecutive season.
Hallsville coach Pat Eitel — “Great hitting performance this year, one of the best in Hallsville history. Just incredible power. She fools you with the way she hits. She’s got more power than any kid I’ve ever had, and that’s saying a lot. She’s a great athlete and came into her own this year. I’m glad to have Jamie (Allred) and Lakin back next year. She’s a great third baseman. It’s not just her bat, she’s a great defender, too. I expect her to hopefully have an incredible senior year.”
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NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR
TYLIA SYLESTINE
Class — Freshman
Position — Pitcher/3B
School — Sabine
By the numbers — Sylestine went 6-6 in the pitcher’s circle with a 2.50 earned run average and 80 strikeouts in 80 innings pitched, while hitting .523 with nine home runs, 65 RBIs, one triple, 14 doubles, 53 runs scored and 20 stolen bases in 20 attempts.
Sabine coach Kristen Henton — “Tylia is one of the most talented young athletes I have ever wienessed. At only 14, she plays the game of softball at a level that makes you forget how young she really is. Hitting over .500, especially as a freshman, with nine home runs just blows my mind. She knows the game so well, and she truly loves the game of softball. she was always so excited to be at practice to learn, to improve her skills and to compete. I can’t wait to seewhat Tylia is going to accomplish in the coming years.”
Coach of the Year
WENDELL WELCH
School — Beckville
By the numbers — In his first season in Beckville, Welch guided the Ladycats to a 29-7 record and an appearance in the Class A Region III final. The Ladycats swept Colmesneil (7-2, 1-0), Dallardsville Big Sandy (8-3, 8-3) and Brookeland (5-4, 12-0) and then took 2 of 3 from Detroit (12-2, 3-8, 12-2) to reach the regional finals. In the regional finals, the Ladycats won the opening game 7-5, but dropped Games 2 and 3 (4-2, 10-5) to Grapeland. It was the second year in a row Welch has taken a team to at least the regional semis. He was an assistant for a Carthage team that reached the 3A regional finals in 2010.
He said it — “We had a great run this year and it was fun because we were getting to know each other. I have a great group of kids as well as parents to work with, so that has made my first year easier. The two coaches I had coached with before, Jenni Morgan and Jay Terry, let me coach back during those years, so I didn’t really walk in to Beckville without experience.
Assistant coach Wynn Short was great all season, too. The kids worked hard and played hard and that’s all I could ask of them.” — Wendell Welch
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FIRST-TEAM
PITCHERS
KARI COURTNEY
Class — Junior
School — Beckville
By the numbers — Pitching: 26-5, 1.42 ERA, 113 strikeouts ... Hitting: .316, 21 RBIs, 9 doubles, 8 steals
LAUREN PARKER
Class — Senior
School — Waskom
By the numbers — Pitching: 23-11, 0.32 ERA, 171 strikeouts ... Hitting: .552, 6 HRs, 44 RBIs, 17 steals
MACKENZIE ROBINSON
Class — Sophomore
School — Elysian Fields
By the numbers — Pitching: 32-7, 1.74 ERA, 135 strikeouts ... Hitting: .348, 4 HRs, 36 RBIs, 13 doubles, 2 triples
CATCHER
STEPHANIE PEPPER
Class — Senior
School — Longview
By the numbers — .523, 5 HRs, 10 steals ... 9 HRs in 2010-11
FIRST BASE
ASHLEY QUINTANA
Class — Junior
School — Elysian Fields
By the numbers — .444, 51 RBIs (school record), 12 doubles ... 77 RBIs in 2010-11
SECOND BASE
KARLEY FREE
Class — Freshman
School — Henderson
By the numbers — .415, 6 HRs, 33 RBIs, 13 doubles, 35 runs
THIRD BASE
ASHLYN WHITE
Class — Sophomore
School — Spring Hill
By the numbers — .529, 8 HRs, 66 RBIs, 7 triples, 15 doubles, 44 runs, 6-for-6 steals ... 10 HRs, 106 RBIs, 12 triples, 27 doubles in 2010-11
SHORTSTOP
SHANNON SANDERS
Class — Senior
School — Spring Hill
By the numbers — .526, 8 HRs, 32 RBIs, 1 triple, 10 doubles, 38 runs, 23 walks, 15-for-16 steals ... 44 RBIs in 2010-11
UTILITY
CHARNEQUA FRAZIER
Class — Senior
School — Pittsburg
By the numbers — .522, 6 HRs, 31 RBIs ... played third base, shortstop, left field, center field and pitcher ... 8 HRs, 48 RBIs in 2010-11
DESIGNATED HITTER
JESSICA PRIDE
Class — Senior
School — Carthage
By the numbers — .553, 1 HR, 16 RBIs, 7 doubles ... 4 HRs, 37 RBIs, 14 doubles in 2010-11
OUTFIELD
AVERY CURTIS
Class — Senior
School — Spring Hill
By the numbers — .520, 1 HR, 12 RBIs, 1 triple, 2 doubles, 58 runs, 28-for-30 steals ... 23 RBIs, 8 doubles, 52-for-55 steals in 2010-11
SARA MATTHEWS
Class — Senior
School — Hallsville
By the numbers — .452, 9 HRs, 42 RBIs, 2 triples, 16 doubles
CANDISE WISE
Class — Senior
School — Elysian Fields
By the numbers — .505, 64 hits, 57 runs, 13 outfield assists ... from CF, threw out runners at every base
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SECOND TEAM
PITCHERS
HAYLEY HAYES
Class — Senior
School — Sabine
By the numbers — Pitching: 20-5, 1.70 ERA, 115 strikeouts, 25 walks, 136 IP ... Hitting: .425, 33 RBIs, 2 triples, 7 doubles, 31 runs, 24 walks
TAYLOR WELLS
Class — Junior
School — Linden-Kildare
By the numbers — Pitching: 14-4, 1.32 ERA, 119 strikeouts ... Hitting: .531, 6 HRs, 29 RBIs, 6-for-6 steals; 42-10, 362 strikeouts, 9 HRs, 53 RBIs, 26-for-27 steals in 2010-11
SIERRA BAILEY
Class — Senior
School — Longview
By the numbers — 12-13, 141 strikeouts
CATCHER
LIZZIE AUTREY
Class — Senior
School — Spring Hill
By the numbers — .401, 3 HRs, 27 RBIs, 2 triples, 7 doubles ... Texas Girls Coaches Association All-Star ... 7 HRs, 65 RBIs, 3 triples, 21 doubles in 2010-11
FIRST BASE
KACI JACKSON
Class — Junior
School — Hallsville
By the numbers — .333, 2 HRs, 24 RBIs, 6 triples, 3 doubles
SECOND BASE
CHELSEA TILBURY
Class — Senior
School — Carthage
By the numbers — .579, 1 HR, 34 RBIs, 3 triples, 11 doubles, 12 steals ... 56 RBIs, 5 triples, 20 steals in 2010-11 ... ETBU signee
THIRD BASE
NATALIE McQUISTON
Class — Sophomore
School — Henderson
By the numbers — .437, 4 HRs, 46 RBIs, 2 triples, 17 doubles, 34 runs, 8 steals ... struck out four times in 119 at-bats ... 8 HRs, 74 RBIs, 28 doubles, 64 runs in 2010-11
SHORTSTOP
ERICA GRAHAM
Class — Senior
School — Beckville
By the numbers — .550, 10 HRs, 56 RBIs, 7 triples, 30 steals ... Northeast Texas Community College signee
UTILITY
MAKENZIE MANES
Class — Sophomore
School — New Diana
By the numbers — .420, 24 RBIs, 9 doubles, 4 steals
DESIGNATED HITTER
MADISON FABER
Class — Freshman
School — White Oak
By the numbers — .476, 16 RBIs, 1 triple, 7 doubles
OUTFIELD
KOLEBI HODGES
Class — Senior
School — Tatum
By the numbers — .528, 33 RBIs; 61 RBIs in 2010-11 ... Angelina College signee
MORGAN JONES
Class — Junior
School — Harleton
By the numbers — .463, 1 triple, 2 doubles, 47 runs, 29 walks, 50 steals (school record) ... 92 steals in 2010-11
J.J. MITCHELL
Class — Junior
School — Marshall
By the numbers — .529, 14 RBIs, 16 steals
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THIRD TEAM
PITCHERS
REBECCA HORSLEY
Class — Senior
School — Marshall
By the numbers — Pitching: 12 wins, 89 strikeouts ... Hitting: .395, 3 HRs, 30 RBIs ... 48 RBIs in 2010-11
KASSIE HONZELL
Class — Sophomore
School — Overton
By the numbers — Pitching: 9 wins, 194 strikeouts ... Hitting: .395
HANNAH POST
Class — Junior
School — New Diana
By the numbers — Pitching: 13-4, 2.39 ERA, 121 strikeouts ... 213 strikeouts in 2010-11 ... Hitting: .347, 26 RBIs, 6 steals
CATCHER
LINDSEY VASQUEZ
Class — Sophomore
School — Hallsville
By the numbers — .457, 31 RBIs, 5 triples, 9 doubles
FIRST BASE
TAYLOR KING
Class — Junior
School — White Oak
By the numbers — .304 (.435 with RISP), 1 HR, 34 RBIs, 2 triples, 6 doubles, 25 runs
SECOND BASE
TAYLOR LINDSAY
Class — Freshman
School — Beckville
By the numbers — .515, 2 HRs, 16 RBIs, 6 triples, 22 doubles, 49-for-50 steals ... .982 fielding percentage
THIRD BASE
RAVEN WILLIAMS
Class — Senior
School — Marshall
By the numbers — .444, 2 HRs, 42 RBIs ... 8 HRs, 66 RBIs in 2010-11
SHORTSTOP
SHELBY SHELTON
Class — Senior
School — Hughes Springs
By the numbers — .547, 1 HR, 51 RBIs, 9 triples, 18 doubles, 34 runs, 10-for-10 steals ... 1 strikeout in 95 at-bats ... 2 HRs, 67 RBIs, 11 triples, 27 doubles, 25-for-25 steals in 2010-11 ... Howard College signee
UTILITY
TIARA MICKENS
Class — Sophomore
School — Mount Pleasant Chapel Hill
By the numbers — .413, 2 HRs, 25 RBIs, 5 triples, 8 doubles, 30 runs, 16 steals
DESIGNATED HITTER
SHAYLEE FENNELL
Class — Freshman
School — Gilmer
By the numbers — .300, 10 RBIs, 10 steals
OUTFIELD
BROOKLYN GREENE
Class — Senior
School — Hallsville
By the numbers — .402, 1 HR, 28 RBIs, 15 doubles, 45 runs ... 2 HRs, 45 RBIs, 29 doubles in 2010-11
TAYLOR WHITE
Class — Freshman
School — Henderson
By the numbers — .333, 1 HR, 14 RBIs, 3 doubles
ANNIE MEHRINGER
Class — Freshman
School — Kilgore
By the numbers — .368, 13 RBIs, 23 runs
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HONORABLE MENTION
PITCHER - Ali Areingdale, Soph., Hughes Springs; Hailie Gilbert, Spring Hill; Courtney Matulis, Harmony; Courtney Rogers, Soph., New Diana; Jessica Ross, Troup; Makayla Sikes, Fr., Gilmer.
CATCHER - Janell Defreece, Sr., Sabine; Kimmy Hendricks, New Diana; Capria Howell, Pittsburg; Megan Jones, Sr., Beckville; Shanice Love, Jr., Linden-Kildare; Molly Mackey, Sr., Overton; Rachel Narramore, Mount Pleasant Chapel Hill; Becky Pepper, Jr., Tatum; Ashlin Roach, Fr., Hughes Springs; Keirsten Seahorn, Harmony; Kendall Sharp, Sr., Jefferson; Tessa Thomas, Jr., Henderson; Lindsey Tidwell, Sr., Elysian Fields; Chelsea Tomlin, Troup.
FIRST BASE - Kailey Johnson, Jr., Hallsville; Caitlin Tomlin, Troup.
SECOND BASE - Siera Baird, Soph., Hughes Springs; Anna Bellatti, Soph., Longview; Kaitlyn Crockett, Fr., Gilmer; Morgan Dison, Soph., Tatum; Lauren Fite, Troup; Katelyn Joyner, Mount Pleasant; Brinklee Noll, Jr., White Oak; Morgan Peck, Sr., Hallsville; Simmi Wasson, Sr., Jefferson.
THIRD BASE - Makala Cornett, Fr., Kilgore; Shelbi Jo Dodson, Soph., Beckville; Shelby Francis, Jr., New Diana; Nataysha Mitchell, Sr., Longview; Tori Jo White, Sr., Carthage.
SHORTSTOP - Mallory Alexander, Fr., Waskom; Morgan Catron, Fr., Gilmer; Carli Cooper, Sr., Hallsville; Shannon Hicks, Soph., Sabine; Kaylee Knowlton, Fr., Harleton; Kaylee Prather, Soph., Elysian Fields; Stacy Pittman, Jr., Longview; Jinaki Robinson, Sr., Marshall; Sara Smith, Jr., New Diana; Katy Stephens, Gladewater; Becca Stokes, Jr., Kilgore; Alison Waggoner, Jr., Henderson; Morgan Wilson, Sr., White Oak.
UTILITY - McCall Giddens, Fr., Mount Pleasant Chapel Hill; Brooke Gunn, Sr., Hughes Springs.
DESIGNATED HITTER - Cheyenne Murphy, Soph., Hughes Springs.
OUTFIELD - Chelsey Alexander, Soph., Gilmer; Dalye Alfaro, Soph., Beckville; Allie Bower, Troup; Ashley Brown, Fr., New Diana; Maggie Bryant, Jr., Tatum; Hillary Farrer, Pine Tree; Shardai Love, Fr., Linden-Kildare; Taylor Martin, Troup; Lauren McCallum, Sr., New Diana; Kemberly Meriweather, Mount Pleasant; Alexa Montoya, Jr., Longview; Desiree Moon, Longview; Keisha Portley, Longview; Sabrina Reeves, Harmony; Montana Searcy, Soph., Beckville; Courtney Scott, Spring Hill; Mariah Smith, Jr., Hughes Springs; Hailee Washburn, Sr., White Oak.
This story will appear in the Panola Watchman.