TYLER LEE LADY RAIDERS
Coach: Justin Kniffen (2nd year at Lee, 2-18; 341-136-2 in 15 years overall)
Assistant coaches: Carissa Reed and Jessica Moss
District: 11-6A (Rockwall, Longview, Rockwall-Heath, Mesquite, North Mesquite, Mesquite Horn)
2018 record: 2-18
Returning varsity players: Paris Bramlett, senior, third base/outfield; Tori Sanchez, senior, utility; Karleigh Perez, sophomore, second base/third base; Kendra Britton, junior, first base; Schuyler May, junior, outfield
Notable newcomers: Kyndal Barnes, sophomore, first base/outfield; Brooke Davis, freshman, third base/shortstop; Aiyanna Martinez, freshman, second base/catcher; Samira Matlock, freshman, catcher/center field; Hayden Seamands, freshman, center field/pitcher; Angel Valadares, freshman, pitcher/second base
Notes: Kniffen led Harleton to the state semifinals in 2010 and 2016 and to the state finals in 2014 and 2015.
JOHN TYLER LADY LIONS
Coach: Paul Balcorta (1st season)
Assistant coaches: Roylena Stewart-Sparrow and Jonathan Allen
District: 16-5A (Marshall, Pine Tree, Whitehouse, Nacogdoches, Lufkin, Jacksonville, Hallsville)
2018 record: 0-23
Returning varsity players: Jaiden Crowder, junior, outfield; Alliyah Johnson, junior, outfield; Jesera Tennyson, senior, outfield/catcher
Notable newcomers: Patrianna Pettigrew, sophomore, pitcher/shortstop; Madison Mims, freshman, third base; Jamena Willis, sophomore, catcher/first base; Ganaja Black, shortstop/second base; Zia Wofford, sophomore, outfield; A’Mierre Boyd, freshman, second base/shortstop; Dorismar Rosales, freshman, infield/pitcher
Notes: Balcorta said what the Lady Lions lack in playing experience will be outweighed by their work ethic and enthusiasm to learn the game.
LUFKIN LADY PANTHERS
Coach: Ashley Martin (1st year at Lufkin, 21-7-1 overall)
Assistant coaches: Jessica Tullos and Jessica McGuire
District: 16-5A (Marshall, Pine Tree, Whitehouse, Nacogdoches, John Tyler, Jacksonville, Hallsville)
2018 record: 19-6-1
Returning varsity players: Leah Akridge, senior, shortstop/outfield; Lexy Ramirez, senior, pitcher/outfield; Giselle Requena, senior, outfield; Tatum Liles, junior, first base; Abby Mason, junior, outfield; Katelyn Segura, sophomore, third base/outfield; Maddison Brown, sophomore, second base
Notable newcomers: Laney Currier, freshman, catcher/shortstop; Ryleigh Mills, freshman, catcher/third base/second base
Notes: Akridge has signed to play at East Texas Baptist. Coaches Martin and Tullos both played Division I softball in the Southland Conference — Martin for Nicholls State and Tullos for Stephen F. Austin.
PINE TREE LADY PIRATES
Coach: Melissa Waddell (1st year at Pine Tree, 110-78 overall)
Assistant coaches: Alison Ratcliff
District: 16-5A (Marshall, Whitehouse, Lufkin, Nacogdoches, John Tyler, Jacksonville, Hallsville)
2018 record: 3-18
Returning varsity players: Lexie Green, senior, third base; Dajah Montgomery, junior, shortstop; Tatum Berry, junior, second base; Lexie Sampson, senior, first base; Cheyenne Thurmond, senior, outfield; Sydney Robinson, senior, outfield; Kelslee Warwick, junior, outfield; Madison Waterland, senior, outfield; Brooklyn Berry, sophomore, pitcher/catcher; Adrienne Pena, junior, second base/catcher; Malaeka Wilson, infielder
Notable newcomers: Dalah Montgomery, freshman, pitcher; Tiona Lewis, outfielder
Notes: Ratcliff was recently inducted into the East Texas Baptist Softball Hall of Fame.
WHITEHOUSE LADYCATS
Coach: Chris Clemons (4th year at Whitehouse, 63-33-2)
Assistant coaches: Erika Toole, Hugo Cano and Stacey Hendrix
District: 16-5A (Marshall, Pine Tree, Lufkin, Nacogdoches, John Tyler, Jacksonville, Hallsville)
2018 record: 20-11-1
Returning varsity players: Kenzie Wright, outfield/pitcher; Maddie Wright, shortstop/pitcher; Jadyn Gunn, outfield/catcher; Makala Moore, third base; Pauling Diaz, outfield; Chloe Hoffman, shortstop
Notable newcomers: Avery Taylor, freshman, second base
Notes: Maddie and Kenzie Wright are twins. Kenzie had a .440 average last season with 19 stolen bases, and Maddie was a .345 hitter with 14 stolen bases.
PITTSBURG LADY PIRATES
Coach: Lacey Middlebrooks (1st year at Pittsburg)
Assistant coaches: Deb Bishop and Keith Shelton
District: 15-4A (Paris, Paris North Lamar, Texarkana Liberty-Eylau, Texarkana Pleasant Grove)
2018 record: 10-7-2
Returning varsity players: Trinity Aycock, sophomore, pitcher; Allison Danielson, junior infield/utility; Amanda Garrison, junior, infield/outfield/catcher; Na’Keil Gaston, junior, infield/outfield; Abby Hammonds, junior, catcher/infield; Tori Henderson, junior, pitcher/infield; Kyra Mason, sophomore, outfield/infield; McKenna Wood, junior, infield/utility
Notable newcomers: Daytona Torrey, freshman, outfield/infield; Natalie Styles, freshman, catcher/utility
Notes: Middlebrooks played softball at Tulsa and is a former college pitching coach.
BULLARD LADY PANTHERS
Coach: Megan Dobrinski (5th year at Bullard, 91-30)
Assistant coaches: Marisa Ledkins and Kendall Redd
District: 16-4A (Henderson, Gilmer, Spring Hill, Kilgore, Chapel Hill)
2018 record: 25-6
Returning varsity players: Aspyn Grossman, senior, center field; Ashlyn Seaton, senior, utility; Sydney Foster, senior, first base; Caitlyn Colston, senior, outfield; Jolee Dixon, junior, outfield; Payton Hancock, junior, catcher/infield; Kenzie Colston, junior, outfield; Gabby Nichols, sophomore, shortstop; Claire Cannon, sophomore, second base; Ariel Matula, sophomore, pitcher
Notable newcomers: Berlyn Grossman, freshman, outfield; Kaylee Paul, freshman, outfield; Emma Lamber, freshman, infield
Notes: Seaton had a .449 average last season, and Grossman hit .421 with 28 stolen bases. Matula had a 1.61 ERA with 141 strikeouts.
HENDERSON LADY LIONS
Coach: Kamryn Jones (7th year at Henderson, 82-62)
Assistant coaches: Brandon Jones and Michael Johnson
District: 16-4A (Bullard, Gilmer, Spring Hill, Kilgore, Chapel Hill)
2018 record: 17-10-1
Returning varsity players: Kaylie Clark, junior, catcher/outfield; Moriah Guerrero, junior, third base/shortstop; Maggi Dickerson, junior, third base/first base/catcher; Madeline Wells, sophomore, pitcher/second base; Trinity McAlister, senior, outfield; Mikeya Washington, sophomore, second base/outfield
Notable newcomers: Trinity Sledge, freshman, third base/catcher/outfield; Kloee Carroll, freshman, pitcher, first base; Alyssa Perry, freshman, second base/outfield
Notes: Wells hit .381 last season, and she had a 2.40 ERA with 131 strikeouts as a freshman.
KILGORE LADY BULLDOGS
Coach: Cheyenne Savony Kilpatrick (7th year at Kilgore, 54-95; 60-129 in 8 years overall)
Assistant coaches: Ivan Monzon and Michele Patterson
District: 16-4A (Bullard, Gilmer, Spring Hill, Henderson, Chapel Hill)
2018 record: 10-13
Returning varsity players: Kristen Wilson, junior, pitcher; Hailee Jo Lewis, senior, first base; Bailey Downing, senior, catcher; Miah Thomas, sophomore, shortstop; Bailey Hedges, sophomore, third base; Genna Cavanaugh, sophomore, second base; Mackenzie Cavanaugh, senior, outfield; Tra’Kaila Graves, senior, outfield
Notable newcomers: Jaycie Villanueva, sophomore, outfield; Haylee Brown, sophomore, utility
Notes: The Kilgore softball team works multiple community events throughout the year where they make balloon animals.
SPRING HILL LADY PANTHERS
Coach: Eric Montgomery (2nd year at Spring Hill, 11-12-1; 170-104-7 in 10 years overall)
Assistant coaches: Chad Ashby and Katie Hunter
District: 16-4A (Bullard, Gilmer, Henderson, Kilgore, Chapel Hill)
2018 record: 11-12-1
Returning varsity players: Sam Schott, sophomore, pitcher; Jade Bowden, junior, catcher; Rachel Foss, sophomore, pitcher/infield; Avery Mercer, sophomore, outfield; Paige Wilstead, junior, infield; Sadie Sparks, sophomore, infield; Kaycee Campbell, sophomore, infield/outfield; Hadleigh Childers, sophomore, infield/outfield
Notes: Spring Hill has no seniors on the 2019 team.
RUSK LADY EAGLES
Coach: Tye Wilkerson (2nd year at Rusk, 23-11-2; 66-39-4 in 5 years overall)
Assistant coaches: Marque Brummett and Katy Stover
District: 19-4A (Mexia, Palestine, Madisonville, Fairfield)
2018 record: 23-11-2
Returning varsity players: Lauren Boudreaux, junior, catcher/pitcher/infield; Emmy Shaw, senior, first base; Grace Young, junior, center field; Victoria Ivy, senior, left field; Kailee Millsap, junior, infield/catcher; Tatum Goff, senior, pitcher/first base; Abbie Pepin, sophomore, shortstop; Miranda Morin, sophomore, outfield
Notable newcomers: Kendal Gates, sophomore, utility; Faith Long, freshman, utility; Alanna Goldsberry, junior, pitcher
Notes: Rusk is getting new facilities this season, which includes a turf playing surface. Boudreaux hit .338 with two home runs last season, and she had a 1.65 ERA.
EDGEWOOD LADY BULLDOGS
Coach: Darin Swift (4th season at Edgewood, 48-29)
Assistant coaches: Angie Lake and David Cook
District: 12-3A (Alba-Golden, Grand Saline, Lone Oak, Mineola, Quitman, Rains)
2018 record: 17-7
Returning varsity players: Danielle Barton, senior, outfield; Makayla Shipp, junior, first base; Kate Farnsworth, junior, catcher; Riley Price, sophomore, pitcher
Notable newcomers: Emma Kimbrough, freshman, third base; Mia Phillips, freshman, outfield; Emily Urquidi, freshman, shortstop
Notes: Barton hit .429 last season, and Price hit .441 at the plate and struck out 134 batters in the pitching circle.
RAINS LADY CATS
Coach: Scott Delozier (2nd year at Rains, 33-6; 224-85-1 in 11 years overall)
Assistant coaches: Jacquelyn Young and Christie Russell
District: 12-3A (Alba-Golden, Grand Saline, Lone Oak, Mineola, Quitman, Edgewood)
2018 record: 33-6
Returning varsity players: Chanlee Oakes, sophomore, pitcher; Catrin Hoffman, junior, catcher; Leo Terry, sophomore, shortstop; Jasmine Mott, junior, third base; Elissa Elliott, senior, center field; Presley McAree, junior, left field; Skyler Monroe, junior, right field; Jaycee Sims, junior, utility; Heagan Steed, junior, utility
Notable newcomers: Sarah Coffman, junior, catcher; Alexis Kearney, junior, first base
Notes: Rains was a Class 4A state semifinalist last season. Oakes was the All-East Texas Newcomer of the Year last season, and Delozier was the Coach of the Year. Hoffman is committed to Nicholls State. Mott and McAree are committed to Texas A&M-Commerce, and Elliott is a Mary Hardin-Baylor commit. Rains adds two transfers — Coffman from Commerce and Kearney from Lone Oak.
ELYSIAN FIELDS LADY JACKETS
Coach: Lexi Commander (9th year at Elysian Fields, 141-73)
Assistant coaches: Sierra Bradshaw and Scott Ford
District: 15-3A (Daingerfield, Jefferson, Hughes Springs, New Diana, Ore City, Tatum, Waskom)
2018 record: 16-13-2
Returning varsity players: Kayla Evans, senior, shortstop; Shayla Matthews, senior, pitcher; Christen Smith, sophomore, third base; Reese Griffin, junior, first base; Sabra Griffin, junior, left field; Jessica Guilhas, sophomore, utility
Notable newcomers: Corrina Hall, junior; Mary Frances Ellis, sophomore; Kailyn Clynch, sophomore
Notes: Matthews broke the school record for strikeouts in a game last season with 18 in a playoff game against West Rusk. Former Elysian Fields standout Kaylee Prather played in the ASBA Pro Softball League for the E1 Pro Ballers this past summer and was named the Defensive Player of the Year.
HARMONY LADY EAGLES
Coach: Sheri Seahorn
Assistant coaches: Seth Drennan and Whitney Phillips
District: 16-3A (West Rusk, Arp, Gladewater, Sabine, Troup, White Oak, Winona)
2018 record: 21-9
Returning varsity players: Hope Howard, senior, outfield; Alexa Makowsky, senior, infield; Marlee Seahorn, senior, utility; Kaylee Clemens, junior, infield; Dacy Dawson, junior, outfield; Katelyn Welborn, junior, catcher; Analese Cano, sophomore, pitcher; Ali Rhame, sophomore, outfield; Kinzee Settles, sophomore, infield/pitcher
Notable newcomers: Delaynie Nash, sophomore, infield/pitcher; Jenci Seahorn, freshman, infield
Notes: Harmony has been in the playoffs 20 of the past 22 seasons.
SABINE LADY CARDINALS
Coach: Molly Mackey (2nd year at Sabine, 18-12)
Assistant coaches: Sara Cantrell
District: 16-3A (West Rusk, Arp, Gladewater, Harmony, Troup, White Oak, Winona)
2018 record: 18-12
Returning varsity players: Calleigh King, senior, outfield; Sarah Davis, senior, infield; Makenzie Cook, sophomore; Blaire Kaufman, sophomore
Notable newcomers: Callie Sparks, freshman, first base, pitcher; Madi Burrh, freshman, outfield
Notes: King hit .451 with 26 RBIs last season. Kaufman had a .410 batting average, and Cook was a .405 hitter.
WEST RUSK LADY RAIDERS
Coach: Bill Morton:
District: 16-3A (Sabine, Arp, Gladewater, Harmony, Troup, White Oak, Winona)
2018 record: 17-8
Returning varsity players: Makana Morton; Sydnee Martin; Brook Floyd; Natalie Farrow; Julie Waddell; Allyson Floyd
Notes: Morton has signed with Southern Arkansas. Waddell and Brook Floyd are being recruited by Barton Community College and Kentucky State University.
WHITE OAK LADYNECKS
Coach: Jamie Wilson (2nd year, 10-18)
Assistant coaches: Klint Blankenship and Nineveh Blankenship
District: 16-3A (Sabine, Arp, Gladewater, Harmony, Troup, West Rusk, Winona)
2018 record: 10-18
Returning varsity players: Samantha McGrew, junior, shortstop/catcher/utility; Lexi Dodson, sophomore, catcher; Kelsi Wingo, sophomore, first base; Savannah Wilkinson, senior, outfield
Notable newcomers: Emma Purcell, sophomore, second base/utility; Lillian Scalia, freshman, pitcher/outfield; Morgan Benge, freshman, pitcher/infield
Notes: New assistant coach Nineveh Blankenship is a former standout pitcher for White Oak. McGrew hit .387 last season.
POLLOK CENTRAL LADY BULLDOGS
Coach: Kurtis Acosta (2nd year at Central, 29-2)
Assistant coaches: Rusti Hall and Coy Hise
District: 21-3A (Newton, Central Heights, Diboll, Corrigan-Camden, Hemphill, Woodville)
2018 record: 29-2
Returning varsity players: Lexi Windsor, junior, pitcher; Kailey Hancock, junior, catcher; Bailey Ortiz, senior, first base; Sabrina Weathers, junior, third base; Preslie Turney, sophomore, shortstop; Johnae Robinson, junior, center field; Lauren Parmer, junior, designated player; Presley Slatter, junior, utility; Dakotha Helton, junior, utility; Kendall Smith, sophomore, utility
Notable newcomers: Madison Morehouse, freshman, first base/catcher; Kaylee Harris, freshman, utility
Notes: Central won its 10th district title last season and advanced to the regional semifinals. Windsor — committed to Bossier Parish — was 28-2 with 224 strikeouts and a 1.21 ERA.
BECKVILLE LADYCATS
Coach: Winston Whiddon (8th year at Beckville, 143-58-3; 309-162-3 in 20 years overall)
Assistant coaches: Wynn Short and Brandon Kruebbe
District: 19-2A (Big Sandy, Carlisle, Union Grove, Hawkins, New Summerfield, Overton, Union Hill)
2018 record: 11-16-1
Returning varsity players: Shelley Pierce, senior, first base; Kinley Pepper, senior, left field; Ally LaGrone, junior, pitcher; Sarah Gray, junior, catcher; Jaden McDaniel, junior, third base; Ashley Andrus, junior, second base; Miranda Mize, junior, right field
Notable newcomers: Madisyn Bridges, junior, shortstop/catcher; Alison Baker, sophomore, center field; Haley Staubie, sophomore, second base/outfield
Notes: Pierce had a .432 batting average with 27 RBIs last season.
BIG SANDY LADYCATS
Coach: Paul Ellsworth (1st year at Big Sandy)
Assistant coaches: Jessica Sobey
District: 19-2A (Beckville, Carlisle, Union Grove, Hawkins, New Summerfield, Overton, Union Hill)
2018 record: N/A
Returning varsity players: Airikah Pippins, junior; Jessica Parker, senior; Gabby Beason, senior; Destiney Haren, senior
Notable newcomers: Morgan Collier, freshman; Faith Watts, freshman
Notes: Ellsworth said Big Sandy has strong team unity and a good group of underclassmen.
CARLISLE LADY INDIANS
Coach: Jamie Skelton
Assistant coaches: Kolebi Spikes
District: 19-2A (Beckville, Big Sandy, Union Grove, Hawkins, New Summerfield, Overton, Union Hill)
2018 record: 23-3
Returning varsity players: Tori Esters, junior; Megan Meene, senior; Aubree Norris, junior; Katelyn Winfrey, senior; Lani Green, sophomore; Hagan Grigsby, senior; Heather Jones, senior; Camdyn Gray, junior; Holli Williams, junior
Notes: Last season, Carlisle made it to the third round of the playoffs for the first time in program history.
CAYUGA LADYCATS
Coach: Kaylee Sims (1st year)
Assistant coaches: Joel Jenkins
District: 20-2A (Kerens, Cross Roads, Martin’s Mill, Fruitvale, LaPoynor, Neches, Trinidad)
2018 record: 5-10
Returning varsity players: Madi Poland, senior, third base; Julia Griffey, senior, shortstop; Riley Prine, junior, outfield; Megan Kelley, junior, outfield; Autumn Yates, junior, outfield; Alexis Gray, sophomore, pitcher; Baylee Barrett, sophomore, infield; Briley Shaw, sophomore, utility; Jayci Cotton, sophomore, utility
Notes: Poland hit .432 last season with a team-high 17 RBIs.
GRAPELAND SANDIETTES
Coach: Jim Hughes (1st year at Grapeland)
Assistant coaches: Sherri Kendrick
District: 21-2A (Centerville, Jewett Leon, Latexo, Lovelady, Slocum, Kennard, Oakwood)
2018 record: 29-9-2
Returning varsity players: Hannah Chipman, senior, first base; Haylee Reed, senior, outfield; Diamond Dunn, senior, outfield; Cadie Currie, junior, pitcher; Madie McCombs, junior, catcher; Keke Harris, junior, outfield; Cierra Simon, sophomore, shortstop; Tierra Jones, sophomore, outfield; Cheney Boyd, sophomore, second base; Kiera Decluette, sophomore, third base
Notable newcomers: Jaycee Graham, freshman, pitcher/utility; Paige Mullen, freshman, pitcher/utility; Jessie Cunningham, freshman, utility; Makayla McCombs, freshman, utility.
Notes: Grapeland advanced to the regional finals in 2018.
ALTO LADY JACKETS
Coach: Lauren Reid (1st year at Alto)
Assistant coaches: Hanna Stanley
District: 22-2A (Cushing, Douglass, Garrison, Gary, Joaquin, Mount Enterprise, Timpson, Wells)
2018 record: 13-11
Returning varsity players: Abbie Teutsch, junior, pitcher; Abby Bernard, junior, catcher; Annie Cox, junior, shortstop; Maquela Jackson, junior, third base; Presley Griffith, junior, second base; Arelli Perez, junior, center field; Hailey Hester, junior, left field; Mary Woodard, sophomore right field
Notes: Reid and Stanley are sisters who played shortstop at Alto. Reid graduated in 2011, and Stanley graduated in 2015.
GRACE COMMUNITTY LADY COUGARS
Coach: Mickey Akin
Assistant coaches: Kendall Fox and Buddy Furqueron
District: TAPPS Division II-District 2 (Bishop Gorman, Brook Hill, Dallas Christian, Prince of Peace, Trinity Christian)
2018 record: 9-3
Returning varsity players: Landry Fowler, senior, first base/center field; Kellen Hendry, senior, left field/second base; Hadley Brewer, junior, catcher; Sheldon Furqueron, junior, third base; Rachel Labat, junior, pitcher/outfield; McKayla Camp, sophomore, second base/outfield
Notable newcomers: Victoria Redding, junior, infield; Hannah Grace Rogers, sophomore, outfield; Presley Johnston, freshman, pitcher/infield; Maddie Flanery, freshman, infield
Notes: Brewer hit .585 with 19 RBIs last season. Fowler hit .436, and Furqueron had a .433 batting average.