Lady Gladiators field 7 All-District performers and 5 earn Academic All-District

Image: Pitcher Of The Year — Megan Richards (Sr.)

Pitcher Of The Year — Megan Richards (Sr.) (McGraw Clark Photography of Italy)

Much like their fans did during their playoff run, the Lady Gladiators Softball team made plenty of noise on the 2011-2012 all-district list. Seven Italy players received all-district honors with Megan Richards earning Pitcher Of The Year as a senior. Little sister, Alyssa Richards, was a larger than life figure on area diamonds this season belting 9 home runs and walking away with co-offensive player of the year as a junior.

Alma Suaste returned to right field having a solid senior season making timely catches and proved to be a consistent hitter on her way to being selected 1st team all-district. Fellow senior, Bailey Bumpus, who played several different positions her junior season, settled nicely into her role as shortstop to help solidify Italy’s well-rounded infielders, also being named 1st team all-district.

Junior third baseman, Katie Byers, with her bruised eye and elaborate face painting, received 2nd team all-district while freshman first baseman, Jaclynn Lewis, was superbly reliable at first base displaying the ability to stretch out for digs and attacked bunts like a seasoned veteran. Freshman center fielder, Madison Washington, was both athletic and daring making several diving catches for the Lady Gladiator cause while earning 2nd team all-district helping Italy finish as area champions, bi-district champions and regional finalists.

The Lady Gladiators also had 5 academic all-district performers with Megan Richards, Alyssa Richards, Jaclynn Lewis, and freshmen, Kelsey Nelson and Bailey Eubank getting the job done off the field, as well, for head coach Jennifer Reeves and assistant coaches Tina Richards and Michael Chambers.

District 15-2A All District Selections

MVP:

  • Kalani Basham, Jr, P, Grandview

Co-Offense POY:

  • Alyssa Richards, JR, C, Italy
  • Emily Brewer, FR, SS, Clifton

Defense POY:

  • Melody Mayse, Sr, 3B, Grandview

Pitcher OY:

  • Megan Richards, Sr, Italy

Catcher OY:

  • Kourtney Cummings, Fr, Grandview

Newcomer:

  • Linzie Lewis, Fr, SS, Maypearl

Freshmen:

  • Alex Turner, SS, Axtell

Co-Utility:

  • Jordan Woolsey, Fr, Clifton
  • Tia Hayles, So, Maypearl

Coach:

  • Tim Jackson (Grandview)

1st TEAM

  • Courtney Chambers, Jr, 2B, Grandview

  • Brittney Tschoepe, Jr, SS, Grandview

  • Lauren Starr, So, CF, Grandview

  • Jaclynn Lewis, Fr, 1B, Italy

  • Bailey Bumpus, Sr, SS, Italy

  • Alma Suaste, Sr, RF, Italy

  • Marti Hanson, So, C, Clifton

  • Paige Culp, JR, P, Clifton

  • Haley Wade, Jr, 1B, Maypearl

  • Bailee Gibson, Sr, 2B, Maypearl

  • Sara Wooten, Jr, 2B, Axtell

  • Jennifer Geren, So, 2B, Whitney

  • Macy Moreno, Jr, P, Rio Vista

2nd Team

  • Kasi Cummings, Fr, LF, Grandview

  • Alexis Wheeler, Jr, 1B, Grandview

  • Paige Pollock, Jr, RF, Grandview

  • Madison Washington, Fr, CF, Italy

  • Katie Byers, Jr, 3B, Italy

  • Jennifer Vrazel, Jr, 3B, Clifton

  • Payton Odom, Jr, CF, Clifton

  • Amy Anz, So, 2B, Clifton

  • Meghan Steele, Jr, 3B, Maypearl

  • Erica Berman, Jr, C, Maypearl

  • Peyton Downs, Sr, 3B, Axtell

  • Sierra Harriman, Sr, CF, Axtell

  • Bethany Williams, Fr, P, Whitney

  • Caly Linton, Jr, SS, Rio Vista

Honorable Mention:

  • Krista Emmons, So, DP, Grandview

Lady Gladiator Academic All-District List:

  • Megan Richards

  • Alyssa Richards

  • Jaclynn Lewis

  • Kelsey Nelson

  • Bailey Eubank