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VYPE 2021 Softball Preview: Public School #3 Barbers Hill
Barbers Hill once again has the talent to make a legitimate run in the playoffs. Reaching the Regional Finals is something they have done in four of the last six seasons. The 2020 campaign could have been their fourth-straight trip.
Aaron Fuller brings back the talented duo of Sophia Simpson and Samantha Landry, who have signed to Texas and the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. Simpson, who will be the ace in the circle for the Eagles, is the No. 9 and Landry is No. 37 in the country by Softball America for the Class of 2021.
The talent doesn't stop there for Barbers Hill. Pitcher and outfielder Kaitlyn Dutton (Texas State), pitcher and first baseman Faith Guidry (Michigan State), and catcher Amber Thibodeaux (East Texas Baptist University) are also back in the lineup. This team still has a sour taste in their mouths from 2019 falling in the Regional Final to Angleton and they are ready to get back to State.
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SETX Softball Rankings-March 6th
1. Barbers Hill (5A)
Head Coach: Aaron Fuller
Barbers Hill brings back more weapons than SEAL Team 6 with a cadre of junior talent that HC Aaron Fuller will enjoy for two more seasons. The Lady Eagles bring back two all-state players in Jessica Mullins (2018) and Samantha Landry (2019) and will throw in co-district MVP Sophia Simpson just for good measure. There is "loaded for bear" and then there is Barbers Hill.
The Hill brings five legitimate aces and through 13 games the Lady Eagles are 12-1 and their team ERA is .092.
Top Players:
Jessica Mullins, Sr. P
2019 Co-District 21-5A MVP
2018 UIL 5A All-State
Committed to Texas State University
Hayley Freudenberg, Sr. Inf
2019 All District
Committed to Lamar University
Samantha Landry, Jr., P
2019: Co-District 21-5A MVP
2019: UIL 5A All-State
Committed to Louisianna-Lafayette
Sophia Simpson, Jr., P
2019: Co-District 21-5A MVP
Committed to University of Texas
Faith Guidry, Jr., P
Committed to Michigan State
Kaitlyn Dutton, Jr., P
2019: All District
Committed to Texas State
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2. Huffman-Hargrave (4A)
Head Coach - Garrett Gates
The Lady Falcons are the closet thing to a dynasty in southeast Texas as their 2020 squad returns their core from last years 4A championship team. Leading the way is 2019 player of the year Katy Janes who is all but unstoppable.
Top Players:
Katy Janes Sr. P
2019 All State,
2019 District 21-4A Player of the Year
2019 UIL State Tournament Player of the Year
2019: .320 Avg, 11 HR, 5 2B
2019: 215 IP, 1.36 ERA, 331 K's
Committed to play at Houston Baptist University
Christin Haygood Jr. 1B/P
2019 All District (2nd Team)
2019: .355 Avg, 4 Hr, 2 2B
2019: 65 IP, .86 ERA, 75 K's
Committed to play at California Baptist University
Hagen Pike, Sr. OF
2019 All District
2019: .342 Avg, 3 HR, 2 3B, 8 2B
Uncommitted
Kenzie Gates Sr. OF
2019 All District (Honorable Mention)
2019 UIL State All-Tournament Team
2019: .291 Avg, 1 HR, 2 #B, 11 2B
Uncommitted
Andrea Hortch, Sr. 2B/OF
2019 All District
2019 UIL State All-Tournament Team
2019: .279 Avg
Uncommitted
Lindsey Gonzalaz, Jr. SS
2019: .244 Avg, 4 2B
Uncommitted
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3. Little Cypress Mauriceville
Head Coach: Dena Atkins
Lady Bears return half their squad that went 27-4 in 2019 including four year starter Bailey Frenzel at pitcher. LCM might be categorized as a small program at 3A but these ladies carry a big punch heading into 2020.
Top Players:
Olivia Leavings, Sr., C
2019: All-District
Four year varsity starter
Madeline Stephenson, Jr., SS
2019: All-District
Two year varsity starter
Committed to Blinn College
Megan Peveto, Sr. OF
2019: All-District
Three year varsity starter
Bailey Frenzel, Jr. P/3B/DH
2019: All-District
2017/2018 All District selection
Four year varsity starter
Karson Friar, Jr., P/OH
Two year varsity starter
Payten Smith, Sr., 1B
Varsity returner
Carly Cogar, Sr., DH/1B
Varsity Returner
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4. Kirbyville
Head Coach: Brady McMillan
The Wildcats have quickly become a small school power located in the "softball power corridor" between Buna and Jasper up Hwy 96. Coach Brady McMillan has a crew worthy of a state tournament run with junior stars and a senior matador in Tori Dowden.
The Kirbyville program its well stocked with freshmen, sophomores, and juniors to keep the Wildcats on a championship path for years to come.
Top Players:
Tori Dowden, Sr., P
2019: All-District
Presley Glende, Jr., P
2019: All-District
Committed to Texas State
Kalyn Xayaseng, Jr., Inf
2019: Defensive MVP
All District 2018, 2019
Committed to Lamar University
Skylar Rutherford, Jr., 3B
2019: All District
Other players to watch:
Jaden Wheeler Fr.
Kyla Broudreaux - Fr.
Hope Herrin Jr.
Allie Harris - Soph
Emily Stark - Sr.
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5. Port Neches-Groves
Head Coach - Jessica Lemoine
PNG Coach Jessica Lemoine enters season with 112 career wins. The Lady Indians return all but four players from last years squad that went 18-11 and pushed Sante Fe in the bi- district round with two close 2-0 losses.
Top Players:
Cameron Niedenthal, Sr. P/3B
Signed to play her collegiate career at Lamar State-Port Arthur this multi-talented athlete is crushing her 2020 season already with eight wins in the circle (0.83 ERA) and hitting .436 at the plate.
Kasidee Sartin, Sr., OF
Already offered by McNeese State this corner infielder is hitting .429 so far in 2020 with tremendous upside as a power hitter.
Madeleine Cormier, Jr. C
A solid receiver defensively Cormier is hitting a blistering .475 from the plate and is a great leader for the Lady Indians.
Maylin Louvier, Sr., 3B/1B
Signed with Lamar State-Port Arthur Louvier is solid at the plate hitting .361.
Sydnee Adams, Sr. SS
Offered by Lamar University this D1 prospect is solid defensively and is a threat at the plate hitting .407.
Kilee Moody, Fr., P/1B
A rising freshmen Moody is proving she belongs on the big field citing .387 with already 14 rbi this young season
Jakeyla McDaniel, So., OF
McDaniel is part of the young guns that HC Jessica Lemoine can only feel good about. McDaniel is solid at the plate hitting .343.
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SeTX Softball Notes:
- Former Silsbee coach Jason Morgan enters season with 322 career wins (currently at Evadale)
- Dayton coach Daryl Bell enters season with 263 career wins
- Nederland coach Will Malette enters season with 225 career wins
- WOS coach Randy Ragsdale enters season with 192 career wins
- PNG Coach Jessica Lemoine enters season with 112 career wins
Hamshire-Fannett
Lumberton
Orangefield