Rusk’s Hassell, Canton’s Bray named to 4A second team

Published 3:17 pm Wednesday, July 10, 2024

From Staff Reports

LONGVIEW — Rusk’s Aubrey Hassell and Canton’s Payton Bray earned second team honors on Wednesday with the release of the Blue Bell/Texas Sports Writers Association Class 4A All-State Softball Team.

Voting was conducted by TSWA members based on nominations from coaches and media members from around the state.

Hassell, a sophomore, made the team as a third baseman. She hit .644 with 17 home runs, 13 doubles, 10 triples, 83 RBIs, 52 runs scored, 20 walks and a 2.183 OPS.

Bray, who helped the Eaglettes reach the state tournament for the first time in program history, was selected as an outfielder. The Tyler Junior College signee hit .413 with a 1.102 OPS, three home runs, three triples, two doubles, 21 RBIs, 39 runs scored and 18 stolen bases.

Bullard pitcher Anistyn Foster, Lindale second baseman Olivia Gary and Canton outfielder Rylee Busby were third team selections.

Foster, a Samford University signee, went 18-5 with two saves, 189 strikeouts and a 2.01 ERA in 146 innings.

Gary, a senior, hit .560 with 57 hits, three doubles, three triples, one home run, 24 RBIS, 34 runs, five walks and 34 stolen bases.

Busby, a sophomore, hit .345 with 40 hits, 12 doubles, one triple, eight home runs, 47 RBIs, 36 runs and five stolen bases.

Earning honorable mention status from the area were Bullard pitcher Brooklyn Brannen, Van pitcher Jailey Potter, Bullard first baseman Matti Nix, Lindale first baseman Izzy Koonce, Van second baseman Emerson Swoape, Canton third baseman Amrie Clower, Lindale designated player Emma Watkins, Spring Hill third baseman Khloe Saxon and Spring Hill outfielder Aubreigh Whiddon.

Corpus Christi Calallen’s Jordyn Thibodeaux earned Player of the Year honors, and Calallen’s Teresa Flores Lentz picked up Coach of the Year accolades.

Thibodeaux went the distance in both of Calallen’s wins at the UIL State Tournament, working 14 innings with 13 strikeouts, seven walks and two earned runs allowed.

For the year, she was 21-1 in the circle with a 0.93 earned run average, four saves, 153 strikeouts and 48 walks in 93 innings pitched. She recorded 15 shutouts and tossed five no-hitters and was named Class 4A MVP at the state tournament.

Flores Lentz led Calallen to a 34-2 record and the 4A state title, defeating Sanger (8-1) in the state semifinals and Liberty (2-1) in the championship game.

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FIRST TEAM

Pitcher: Jordyn Thibodeaux, CC Calallen; Carson Fall, Bridge City; Brookelyn Taylor, Liberty

Catcher: Brookelyn Meador, CC Calallen

First base: Ileana Hernandez, Floresville

Second base: Lexi Rosillo, Robinson

Shortstop: Megan Geyer, CC Calallen

Third base: Alaunah Almaraz, CC Calallen

Outfield: Mia Flores, CC Calallen; Bailee Slack, Liberty; Vida Fierro, Dumas

Utility: Bayleigh Taylor, Liberty

DH/DP/Flex: Annabell Humbird, Needville

SECOND TEAM

Pitcher: Addison Martindale, Krum; Ava Stuewe, Fredericksburg; Makayla Smith, Needville

Catcher: Hollie Thomas, Liberty

First Base: Kamryn Mears, El Campo

Second base: Breanna Baggs, Floresville

Shortstop: Kylee Bishop, Liberty

Third base: Aubrey Hassell, Rusk

Outfield: Bella Holland, Farmersville; Payton Bray, Canton; Kyley Cochran, Sanger

Utility: Addison Otto, Smithville

DH/DP/Flex: Olivia Moore, Hamshire-Fannett

THIRD TEAM

Pitcher: Chloe Ellis, Gateway Prep; Brynlie Dunkin, Aubrey; Anistyn Foster, Bullard

Catcher: Airyanna Rodriguez, Devine

First base: Reese Ragan, Sulphur Springs

Second base: Olivia Gary, Lindale

Shortstop: Kaygen Marshall, Robinson

Third base: Saniyah Hill, Godley

Outfield: Reagan Hill, Frisco Panther Creek; Rylee Busby, Canton; Makenna Bressler, Community

Utility: Tenzly Martin, Alvarado

HONORABLE MENTION

Pitcher: Brooklyn Brannen, Bullard; Jailey Potter, Van; Jamie Burch, Sinton; Devyn Somers, Venus; Reese Calhoun, Graham; Raelynn Vanzee, Robinson; Bri Waters, Salado; Leala Kloewer, Sanger; Hannah Speed, Sulphur Springs; Star Cortes, Dumas

Catcher: Aaliyah Chairez, Dumas; Cloe Viasana, Big Spring; Alyah Medrano, Sinton

First base: Matti Nix, Bullard; Izzy Koonce, Lindale

Second base: Lexi Dudeczka, Salado; Emerson Swoape, Van; Gracie Whitt, Community; Abeni Nava, Kaufman

Shortstop: Mackenzie Mowat, Burkburnett; Nicole Higgins, Sulphur Springs; Kaislynn Tovar, Geronimo Navarro; Ryley Litchfield, Salado

Third base: Khloe Saxon, Spring Hill; Bayler Boatman, Sulphur Springs; Angelica Gonzalez, Levelland; Josey Cantu, Needville; Kennedy Dotson, Gainesville; Amrie Clower, Canton

Outfield: Yaritza Vargas, Dumas; Saydi Mendez, Levelland; Aubreigh Whiddon, Spring Hill; Tessa Pitts, Burkburnett; Gentry Goldsmith, Community; Briley Daniels, Pampa; Havannah Holmes, Kaufman

Utility: Cadence Chambless, Godley; Aubriana Rivas, Levelland; Lauren Garcia, Canyon Randall

DH/DP/Flex: Emma Watkins, Lindale