Photos in this article by Jamie M
The Kennedale Lady Kats Softball team, who finished in 2nd place in District 7-4A, placed eight on the 2017 All-District team. Two earned superlative recognition. {{more:READ MORE…}}
a show of offensive might ?
Despite the 2nd place finish in district play, this team dominated the district after the two early season losses. The Lady Kats out hit their district opponents 144 to 61 and more impressively outscored the rest of the district 156 to 33. This includes five shutouts. It was a show of offensive might. The selected all-district players from Kennedale had a combined batting average above .500, to be exact .529. None of the players hit below .400.(Note: Stats used in this article are district stats only and do not include the full season)
2017 Lady Kat All-District Players ?
2017 Offensive Player of the Year, Mary Grace Howard (Jr) was 1st team last year as sophomore and this is her third year to be named all-district. For Kennedale, she led the team in overall scoring effectiveness in district play with 21 runs and 27 RBIs. She had the team best record in RBIs, multiple base hits (19) and tied in walks (10). She had an overall batting average of .583.
2017 Pitcher of the Year – Jamie Franks (Sr): She was 2nd team as a junior and has been all district all 4 years. This year as a pitcher, she had a winning percentage of .833, a strike percentage of .714 and an ERA of 2.66. She recorded 5 shutouts while averaging 4.41 strikeouts per game and allowing only 5 total walks in district play. At the plate, she batted .592, the second highest on the team. She scored 23 runs and had 19 RBIs, putting her in a tie for second on the team for scoring effectiveness at 42.
2017 1st Team – Alexa Neifert (Sr): This is her 4th year to make all-district. In district play this year, she never struck out in 37 at bats making her the only Lady Kat to claim that honor. She batted .574, scoring 25 runs and 16 RBIs and led the team in stolen bases with 6. She tied for most hits in the district season with 23 for the team.
2017 1st Team – Megan Calhoun (So): She was named ?Pitcher of the Year? last year as freshman. After an early season injury took her off the mound this year, she responded by being the only Lady Kat in district play to get a hit in every game. She batted .611, a team high in district play with 21 runs scored and 19 RBIs. She tied for 1st in most hits in the district season with 23.
2017 1st Team – Jenna Webb (So): was 1st team last year as freshman. Kennedale?s diminutive catcher was the lead-off batter for the Lady Kats, batting .424, scoring 22 times with 12 RBIs along with 9 walks and one homerun.
2017 2nd Team – Alyssa Bayberry (Jr): This is her 3rd year to make the all-district team. Alyssa had a .444 batting average with 13 runs and 17 RBIs on 15 hits and 7 walks. She had 7 multiple base hits.
2017 2nd Team – Ashley McElvany: She batted .475, scoring 22 with 15 runs and 7 RBIS on 12 hits and 10 walks. She tied Howard for most walks in district play.
2017 Honorable Mention – Gabryelle Slider (Fr): Continuing Kennedale?s tradition of having at least one freshman named all-district, Slider batted a strong .486, scoring 32 on 17 runs and 14 RBIs off of 16 hits and 5 walks.
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