April 26, 2024

All-GWAC Baseball, Softball teams released

Scott City, Kan. (westernkansasnews.com)–With the 2015-16 school year officially over, the Great West Activities Conference has wrapped up its sixth year of existence, and has also released its all-league selections for baseball and softball.

Baseball
Goodland, Holcomb and Hugoton each had six selections on the first team or honorable mention ballot. Holcomb and Goodland shared the league title with 8-2 marks. The Cowboys qualified for the Class 4A, Division II State Tournament, and fell to Russell/Victoria in the first round of the state tournament in Emporia..

First Team
Pitcher
Darby Hays, Goodland; Conner VanCleave, Holcomb; Tucker Martin, Hugoton
1st Base
Zach Leininger, Hugoton
2nd Base
Brandon Stegman, Holcomb
3rd Base
Kaden Tichenor, Holcomb
Short Stop
Luke Avila, Goodland
Outfield
Ben Matchell, Colby; Kelby Smith, Goodland; Daniel Bustillos, Hugoton
Utility
Thomas Frederick, Hugoton
Designated Hitter
Austin Hart, Colby

Honorable Mention
Pitcher
Casey Quagliano, Colby; Nolan Deeds, Goodland
1st Base
Kyle Cure, Scott City
2nd Base
Brady Holzmeister, Colby
3rd Base
Levi Archer, Goodland
Short Stop
Christian Merz, Holcomb
Outfield
AJ Ortega, Holcomb; Paden Cornelson, Hugoton
Catcher
Devory Pio, Ulysses
Utility
Brayden Goddard, Holcomb; Emelio Ballesteros, Ulysses
Designated Hitter
Evan Peter, Goodland

Softball
Both Goodland and Holcomb took home the most honors in the all-league selections with six each, and Colby had four selections. The Cowgirls won the GWAC, while Colby and Scott City tied for second in the standings. Colby advanced to the Class 4A, Division II State Tournament in Emporia, where they were bounced by Burlington in the first round.

First Team
Pitcher
Desi Schippers, Colby; Kylee Martin, Goodland; Molly Harrington, Holcomb; Dene Watie, Ulysses
1st Base
Hannah Ferguson, Goodland
2nd Base
Bailey Foss, Colby
3rd Base
Tessa Krzycki, Colby
Short Stop
Kaitlyn Daise, Goodland
Outfield
Kaitlynn Raile, Goodland; Brynna McVey, Holcomb; Krystal Appel, Scott City; Natalie Bower, Ulysses
Catcher
Elissa Zerr, Colby
Utility
Megan Cornelson, Hugoton
Designated Hitter
Kelsey White, Goodland

Honorable Mention
1st Base
Taylor Sleep, Holcomb
2nd Base
Cindy Morales, Holcomb; Alejandra Corral, Ulysses
3rd Base
Megan Roth, Holcomb
Short Stop
Nicole Latta, Scott City
Catcher
Sage Vandiver, Goodland
Utility
Ebony Sapien, Holcomb