Italy High School Athletics is proud to announce that senior (2013) Lady Gladiator catcher, Alyssa “Lil’ Rich” Richards and sophomore pitcher, Jaclynn Lewis, have been named to the Texas Girls Coaches Association All-State Softball team for Class 1A Division 1.

Also, we are proud to announce that Richards will play in the TGCA All-Star game in Austin on July 12 as a member of the Red team (Class 1A-3A) with a total roster of 14, which will be guided by Weimar’s Roger Maupin and Landon Winton of Lubbock Cooper. Richards will finish her high school career by playing on McCombs Field at the University of Texas-Austin before competing at the college level. Along with these accomplishments, Richards has also been named Academic All-State from the TGCA and the THSCA.

Richards finished the 2013 season with a .533 batting average, 52 RBIs and 6 home runs with 5 clearing the fence (some still orbiting the earth), and has always been a weapon as a catcher with the ability to throw base runners out without needing to rise.

Lewis, had a .411 batting average, 33 RBIs, 3 out-of-the-park home runs, a 1.67 ERA as the pitcher with 227 strikeouts and posted 10 shutouts. Needless to say, both players were key contributors during the Lady Gladiators’ 2013 campaign when the team finished undefeated in district play to claim the title outright, automatic bi-district champions and then area champions.

On top of being natural born competitors, these wonderful young ladies have dedicated themselves thru the years to be successful within the sport they love. They often played year-round select ball while competing for Italy and attended clinics and combines in the hopes of improving their skills.

Richards, who recently signed her letter of intent to play softball for Tennessee Tech University, will be following the paths of their older sister who was also a Lady Gladiator that transitioned to collegiate level softball. Megan “Rich” Richards comes off her first season as a college pitcher for the UTPB (University of Texas at the Permian Basin) Falcons.

Lewis, although having two more seasons to go before graduating Italy HS in 2015, will be following the trail blazed by her older sister as well. Megann Lewis, played two years as a pitcher at Vernon College and her final two years at HSU (Hardin-Simmons University).

Congratulations to both Alyssa and Jaclynn on being named to the Texas Girls Coaches Association All-State Softball team for Class 1A. Also, good luck, Alyssa, in the All-Star game in July!