Eagle Staff Report

Two shortstops from the Brazos Valley earned first-team honors on the Texas Sports Writers Association all-state softball teams.

Kassie Roddam of Rockdale made the Class 3A first team, while Jessica Parish of Lexington was chosen to the top squad in 2A. Both were first-team picks on The Eagle's All-Brazos Valley team this year.

The TSWA all-state teams were nominated by coaches and media members, and chosen by members of the sports writers association.

Several local players earned recognition on the Class 5A teams. Bryan junior outfielder Patty Gorzycki was chosen to the second team. A&M Consolidated junior pitcher Sarah Halliwell, senior catcher Sarah Allison and junior outfielder Jordan Bettiol made the third team, while Consol senior outfielder Jordan Berry received honorable mention.

A pair of Brenham players landed on the Class 4A second team: senior pitcher Kaci Federwisch and senior shortstop Emily Albus, who has signed to play at Texas A&M. The Cubettes also placed senior outfielder Lane Jurden on the third team.

Cameron second baseman Maeson Mondrick and Navasota outfielder Kayla Garcia earned spots on the 3A second team. Pitcher Alyssa Fincher of Cameron is on the third unit.

In Class 2A, Leon senior outfielder Elissa Downey made the third team. Leon second baseman Catie Patterson and shortstop Ashley Shuldham received honorable mention.

Iola seniors Amber Brown and Hillary Trant both made the Class A second team, Brown as an outfielder and Trant as utility player. North Zulch sophomore pitcher Katie Gilbert was chosen to the third team.

The second team in Class A included Grapeland pitcher Summer Groholski, who transferred from Consolidated.

Roddam and Parish were part of an outstanding crop of shortstops in the Brazos Valley. Roddam batted .516 and stole 59 bases for Rockdale. Parish had a .519 batting average with nine home runs and 54 runs batted in for Lexington.

The TSWA teams included player of the year and coach of the year in each classification. The coaches of all five state champions were honored as coach of the year, and players from the UIL champs were the choice as top player in every category except Class A.

The coaches and players of the year are: Class 5A -- coach Laneigh Clark and Jaclyn Bechtle of Pearland; 4A -- coach Sherry Rogers and Kermitria Ward of Waco Midway; 3A -- coach Kathy Barker and Rayn House of Paris North Lamar, who tied with Brooke Keel of West; 2A -- coach Charles Pawelek and Maggie Ham of George West; A -- coach Shanna Roberts of Forsan and player Mikel-Ann Caddell of Mart.