Rusk freshman Tatum Goff hit 10 home runs while also striking out 223 on the mound to be All-East Texas Newcomer of the Year. (Lang White / Correspondent)

Bullard Brook Hill senior Taylor Schultz dug into the dark blue turf batter’s box at Sweeny Field. She had failed in her first two at-bats, but with two outs, a one-run deficit in the bottom of the sixth and the potential tying run at second base in the TAPPS 4A state semifinal, it wasn’t happening again.

After working a 1-1 count, Schultz smacked a single past the pitcher into center field to tie the game. It was the kind of tenacity Schultz displayed all season to lead Brook Hill. Last year, Schultz was named honorable mention for the Tyler Morning Telegraph/ETFinalScore.com All-East Texas Softball team.

She’s now on top.

Thanks to another stellar season, the University of Central Arkansas signee is the Player of the Year on the 2016 All-ET softball team. She is joined by Brook Hill’s Anthony Springer, who is Coach of the Year, and Rusk freshman Tatum Goff, who is Newcomer of the Year.

Schultz follows Hallsville’s Cassidy Ferrill (now at Tyler Junior College) as Player of the Year with Springer following Hallsville’s Pat Eitel as Coach of the Year and Goff follows co-Newcomer of the Year from 2015, Martin’s Mill’s Calli Camacho and Briley Moon.

 

PLAYER OF THE YEAR

TAYLOR SCHULTZ saved her best for last.

The senior batted .652 with 16 doubles, four triples, four home runs and 40 runs scored.

Schultz also drove in 54 runs with none bigger than that final RBI in the state semifinal.

“(That pitcher) had beat me twice before and I (went to the plate) saying I will myself to hit this ball. You beat me twice and you will not beat me again,” Schultz said of her game-tying hit.

“She didn’t beat me again. It was honestly one of my favorite at-bats I had the whole season. To me it was personal and it was a good way to end my senior season.”

It was the final swing of her high school Lady Guard career. Brook Hill ultimately lost the game in extra innings with the final out made with Schultz in the on-deck circle.

When this year’s Player of the Year found out about her receiving the top accolade, she immediately credited her coach and teammates.

“I was so shocked and really excited because I knew Anthony (Springer) had a lot to do with it,” Schultz said. “This year more than ever we played as a team and we pushed each other. I have never had teammates push me the way my teammates did.”

Schultz is a four-time TAPPS all-state player, receiving first-team honors this season. Batting in the three slot for the Lady Guard, Schultz finished with a .652 on-base percentage while striking out just four times in 75 plate appearances. She also had 124 putouts at first base without an error.

“Taylor brought a leadership skill that we needed, and when she steps on the field, she’s all (business),” Springer said. “She’s one of the kids who takes charge and takes pride in her game; she works consistently year-around.

“She’s kind of a kid who deserves (this honor) and I am excited for her.”

As far as All-East Texas, Schultz made her debut as a sophomore on the second team before being honorable mention last year. As a freshman, Schultz was the All-ET Newcomer of the Year.

Combining Schultz’ junior and senior seasons alone, the Lady Guard star drove in 104 runs and scored 89 runs with 31 doubles, six triples and eight home runs.

The next step is collegiate softball.

“I am majoring in bio chemistry and will be playing for softball for David Kuhn at Central Arkansas,” Schultz said. “It’s going to be different and it’s going to be hard, but I am really excited.”

 

COACH OF THE YEAR

ANTHONY SPRINGER has enjoyed a storybook last few months. He led Brook Hill to the state tournament for the second time since he took over five years ago, with the Lady Guard finishing with an impressive 20-6-1 record.

He followed that up by being an assistant for UT Tyler and part of a run to the NCAA Division III championship. He currently has the senior-level team of the Sneaky Cleats, the club team he coaches, advancing to the national championship tournament.

He can now add coach of the year accolades to his annual list of accomplishments.

“It has been a special year; from high school to Texas-Tyler and the club,” Springer said. “I have been doing it for a long time and to have all of this fall into place; it’s been a pretty remarkable year.”

His top player at Brook Hill believes her coach is the perfect choice.

“He deserves it more than anyone … you would be hard pressed to find anyone who would say anything negative about coach Springer,” Schultz said. “He is the best.”

Springer returns many of his starters from the state semifinalist as Brook Hill begins 2016-17 in search of that elusive state final appearance and ultimately the softball program’s first state title.

“A lot of people look at private school softball as having not really been on the map, but we have a middle school team and are getting kids coming over to Brook Hill who are playing year-around,” Springer said. “Our middle school team is our feeder program and Brook Hill is in place to have a phenomenal (run) which hopefully leads to a state championship.”

 

NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR

Most eighth graders’ main concerns center on how they will adjust the step-up into high school.

TATUM GOFF was mulling over where she was going to college. She was offered a full-scholarship to play softball for the University of Kansas before her 15th birthday.

She committed to the Big 12 school in January before she played a single inning in high school. The freshman showed everyone why Kansas wanted her.

Goff launched 10 home runs for the Rusk Eagles to go along with a .394 average and a team-leading 42 RBIs. On the mound, the lefty posted a 0.86 ERA in 24 appearances with 223 strikeouts.

Springer coaches Goff for Sneaky Cleats and said he is not surprised at her choice as Newcomer of the Year.

“She’s definitely a special kid,” Springer said. “She’s committed to Kansas and has had a lot of interest from a ton of Division 1’s. She works extremely hard and is kind of a master of her craft and real mature for her age. She can swing it at well as anyone.”

Goff made the jump from middle school to high school and said the first couple of months were trying as she adjusted to a new team while being the starting pitcher over older girls.

“I got some (stick) from the other girls who didn’t make varsity, but I knew where I was supposed to be,” Goff said. “At the beginning I was really nervous pitching, but as it went on, I kind of got out of my shell.

“I started striking out more people and hitting more home runs.”

One of those homers was Goff’s favorite moments of the season.

“We were playing Center in district and we were at home in Rusk and I remember (being frustrated) because they kept on walking me,” Goff said. “With the bases loaded they finally (had to pitch to me) and I hit it (perfectly); it was probably my farthest home run, it was 350 feet at least.”

Rusk went on to win a district championship and go three rounds deep in the Class 4A playoffs. Goff wants to do even more next year.

“We should be good with some girls coming up (to varsity) who are going to be really good,” Goff said.

TWITTER: @CParryETFS

 

2016 All-East Texas Softball Team

SUPLERLATIVES

Player of the Year: TAYLOR SCHULTZ, Sr., Bullard Brook Hill

Newcomer of the Year: TATUM GOFF, Rusk

Coach of the Year: ANTHONY SPRINGER, Bullard Brook Hill

 

FIRST TEAM

Pitchers

ALEXSANDRA FLORES, Sr., Lufkin

CAMRYN RUCKER, Jr., Elkhart

JENNA STANLEY, Sr., Canton

Catcher

MORGAN BENGE, Soph., Van

Infielders

SAMANTHA SMITH, Jr., Athens

ZOE HANCOCK, Jr., Bullard

HANNA WATSON, Sr., Alto

JASMINE IBARRA, Soph., Lufkin

Outfielders

RACHEL MILLER, Sr., Rusk

JULIE ANN RAWLS, Sr., Hallsville

ELIZABETH DAVIS, Sr., Hallsville

Designated Player

BAILEY DANIELS, Jr., Van

Utility Player

MAGGIE BEARD, Sr., Whitehouse

 

SECOND TEAM

Pitchers

SYDNEY BALDERRAMA, Jr., Chapel Hill

JESSICA PATAK, Sr., White Oak

EMMA ELLIOTT, Jr., Grand Saline

Catcher

RAELI SMITH, Soph., Hawkins

Infielders

CALLI CAMACHO, Soph., Martin’s Mill

JAYDEN MOUNT, Sr., Sabine

JULIE SMITH, Sr., Carlisle

ALYSSA DUPLICHAIN, Jr., Brook Hill

Outfielders

CAMERON ATTAWAY, Jr., Robert E. Lee

CAILON PALMER, Sr., Kilgore

MADISON MARTIN, Sr., Carlisle

Designated Player

INDIA ROSE HOLLAND, Jr., Arp

Utility Player

GRACE CAMACHO, Jr., Martin’s Mill

 

HONORABLE MENTION

Alba-Golden: Caitlin Lennon (Sr.), Gracie Pendergrass (Jr.), Macie Pendergrass (Fr.), Erin Roberts (Sr.), Briana Weissert (Jr.), Morgan Curts (Jr.); Alto: Hanna Watson, Madison Crisp, Laney Black, Jacey Hicks; Arp: Kaleigh McClure, Sierra Atchley, Meredith Reyes; Athens: Alicia Grogan (Jr.), Cortney Grimes (Sr.), Tyler Greene (So.), Bianca Garcia (Fr.); Brownsboro: Becca McGough (Jr.), Kirsten Anderson (Jr.), MJ Alexander (Sr.); Bullard: Ashlyn Seaton (Fr.), Destinee Dixon, Sarah Wakefield, Aspyn Grossman, Baylee Taylor, Morgan Clark (Sr.); Bullard Brook Hill: Madison Anthony (So.), Adrianna Kuechle (Jr.), Madi Anderson (Jr.), Madison Parker (Sr.); Canton: Brooke Arnold (So.), Gracie Chavez (Jr.), Raegan Busby (Fr.), Samantha Neal (Sr.); Carlisle: Keylee Adair (Jr.), Madison Martin (Sr.); Carthage: Hope Kruebbe (So.), Aubrey Williams (Sr.), Taylor Wills (Fr.); Cayuga: Madison Wilcher, Kimberly Hughes, Madi Poland, Madeline Jeffcoat, Amber Karnes, Grace Ann Kelley; Chapel Hill: Cass Sears (So.), Taylor Deike, Ashley Battles; East Texas Christian: Mary Jo Artmire (Jr.), Brenna Mitchell (Sr.), Mackenzie Vernon (So.); Edgewood: Whitney Kerr (Jr.), Amanda Thorn (Sr.), Baileigh Stevens (So.), Skydra Sanford (Sr.); Elkhart: Shyenne Heuer, Amber Mills, Sarah Adair, Holly Crouch, Macy Gonzalez, Shayne McCoy; Eustace: Jaci Gray, Abra Roberts, Zoie Bailey; Frankston: Sydnie Ellis, Jordan Moss, Halyn Willis, Trinity Boggs; Gilmer: Tanah Seely Gladewater: Michaela Reid, Murphy Williams (So.); Grace Community: Hannah Wright (Sr.), Emily Ruth Edwards (So.); Grand Saline: Cassidy Smith (So.), Paytton Stanley (Fr.), Kenzie Gardner (Jr.), Kelsey Smith (So.), Brooklyn Bolin (Fr.); Hallsville: Hailee Hollan (Sr.), Emma Hawthorne (Sr.), Hannah Mizell (Sr.), Elizabeth Davis (Sr.); Harleton: Randi Carol Phillips, Morgan Underwood, Taitum Atkins, Morgan Bullock; Hawkins: Hannah Langford (Jr.), Silvia Montgomery (So.); Henderson: Katelyn Odom (So.), Bri Robinson (Jr.), Cassie Copeland (Sr.), Tori Lee (Jr.), Caitlin Shippey (Jr.), Jamie Bowman (Jr.); Jacksonville: Taylor Whitaker (Sr.), Breezey Robinson (So.); John Tyler: Chaq Nobles; Christy Perez; Lindale: Hannah Knox (Fr.), Katie Rodriguez; Allie Thompson; Sarah Valdez; Longview: Alex Johnson (Jr.), Chandler Peoples (Jr.); Lufkin: Reagan Jordan (Sr.), Yamilex Valdez (So.); Leah Akridge (Fr.); Mabank: Tera Grimes (Sr.), Kendal Riley (So.); Malakoff: Cheyenne Robertson, Chyanne Jarrett, Cheyenne Ramsey, Chaney Tart; Marshall: Morgan Arst (Sr.), Kinley Wilkins (Jr.); Martins Mill: Briley Moon, Leah Morgan, Bailey Caldwell, Kaylyn Gates, Erika Parker; Mineola: Sydnie Bell (Jr.), Kylie Banks (So.), Brie McCalla (Jr.), Carissa Benavides (Sr.); Nacogdoches: Hadley McKnight (Sr.); Overton: Jenny Emmel (So.), Jaylin Blakeney (Fr.), Christal Dike (So.); Palestine: Taylor Brown (Jr.); Pittsburg: Sydney Waldrep, Bailey Smith, Kaycee Parker, Marisol Kennedy; Rains: Victoria Sanchez (Sr.), Taylor Pruitt (Jr.), Courtney Luckett (Sr.), Emily Ferguson (Sr.), Olivia Lusk (So.); Rusk: Molleigh Isaacs (Fr.), Joy Bradley (So.), Kristin Tugwell (So.), Caitlyn Ballew (Jr.), Morgan Beene (Jr.), Cassi Fletcher (Sr.); Sabine: Allyson Cook; Spring Hill: Sydney Johnson (So.), Bethany Bell (Sr.), Maddie Malloy, Carson Robertson, Caton Hawkins, Kaylin McWhorter; Troup: Jayla Starks, Emily Neel; Union Grove: Lizzie Bible (So.), Whitley Hammett (Sr.); Union Hill: Samantha Collier (So.); Van: Racheal Thomas (Fr.), Hallie Wilkerson (So.), Alex Walton (So.); West Rusk: Maeghan Davis, Meredith Herron, Makana Morton; Westwood: Destanie Sherrill, Katie Trimble, Corbyn Bassett, Savannah Campbell; Whitehouse: Victoria Caldwell (Sr.), Mahayla Mitchell (So.), Sierra Stone (So.), Brittany Taylor (Sr.); White Oak: Kelsey McFall, Kaylynn Larrison, Ryan Owens, Alexis Herrera, Kinsey Smith; Wills Point: Meredith Edwards (Jr.), Sierra Spindle (Sr.); Winona: Jordan McHam (Sr.)