San Antonio Express-News (Sunday)
SCOUTING REPORT
CLASS 6A
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Gabriela Banda: Brennan, SS, sr. Chloe Booth: Brennan, P, sr.
Haley Carder: O’Connor, 3B, jr.
Izzy Cruz: New Braunfels, IF, soph. Meiko Dominguez: O’Connor, C, soph. Camryn Dunkley: Clemens, OF, sr. Queen Dunn: Judson, 3B, sr.
Aubrey Flores: Harlan, P, soph. Brooklyn Foster: Johnson, SS, jr. Brooklynn Gonsalez: Madison, P/1B, jr. Ayla Gonzales: Warren, OF, sr.
Taylor Gray: Sotomayor, P, jr.
Haley Herrera: Marshall, OF, soph.
Ava Hetrick: Clark, P, sr.
Isabella Hune: Brennan, OF, sr.
Tivoli Martinez: O’Connor, P, jr.
Alyssa Meza: Warren, IF, sr.
Cara Penaloza: Clemens, OF, sr. Kimberlee Perez: Stevens, UT, sr. Carlee Quintero: Clark, OF, jr.
Kim Ramirez: Warren, IF, sr.
Janelle Ramon: LEE, IF, jr.
Alyssa Rangel: Taft, P, soph.
Sydnie Rios: Holmes, UT, soph.
Larisa Tinajero: LEE, P/IF, jr.
Sophia Ytuarte: Madison, P/IF, sr.
OUTLOOK
Although reigning Class 6A state champion O’Connor returns only three starters and has a new coach, don’t count the Panthers out from making a strong run.
The returnees all played pivotal roles in the Panthers’ state title run last year. Haley Carder, a junior third baseman, smashed a solo shot that sparked O’Connor’s rally to beat Mansfield Lake Ridge 7-6 in the state championship. Junior pitcher Tivoli Martinez closed the game in relief of Sammie Portillo. Meiko Dominguez emerged as a team leader as a freshman catcher last year.
Brennan returns eight starters from a 20-11 team, including senior shortstop Gabriela Banda, who hit .551 last year.
Always tough Warren returns five starters, including Incarnate Word-bound Ayla Gonzales, an Express-News Super Team member last year.
Clark and Madison are the favorites in 28-6A. Clark has seven returning starters from a squad that was 14-2 in league play. Senior pitcher Ava Hetrick, a 2022 Super Team selection, struck out 195 in 138 innings.
Madison returns eight starters, including
senior infielder Sophia Ytuarte (.424) and junior pitcher/first baseman Brooklynn Gonsalez (130 strikeouts, .440).
Johnson has 11 players with starting experience returning. LEE is poised for a strong run with nine returning starters, including junior Larisa Tinajero, who excelled in the circle (129 strikeouts) and at the plate (.429) last year.
CLASS 5A
PLAYERS TO WATCH Katalina Alvarado: South San, C, sr. Araceli Barrientes: Jefferson, SS/P, sr. Abby Brand: Smithson Valley, SS/C, sr.
Haley Carmona: New Braunfels
Canyon, P, sr.
Hattie Colglazier: Alamo Heights, P/1B,
sr. Baylei Fillinger: MacArthur, 3B, sr. Jordyn Joy: Kerrville Tivy, P/1B, jr. Kassidy Kuresta: Boerne Champion,
C/UT, sr.
Ileana Hernandez: Floresville, 1B, jr. Adalyn Mayorga: Edison, P/UT, soph. Sofia Medina: Highlands, IF, jr. Maleena Moreno: Jefferson, P/1B, soph. Danyelle Olvera: South San, SS, sr. Litzy Ortega: Highlands, IF, sr.
Jalyn Ortiz: Burbank, P, soph.
Jocelyn Perez: South San, P, sr. Sarah Perez: Burbank, 3B/C, sr.
America Ramirez: McCollum, C, jr.
Melania Reeves: Pieper, SS/OF, jr. Rosalyn Rodriguez: McCollum, OF, sr. Madyson Schultze: Seguin, P/1B, jr. Gabby Sosa: MacArthur, C, sr. Mia Torres: Jefferson, C, soph.
Harley Vestal: New Braunfels Canyon,
OF, jr.
Cimara-lei Wessling: S.A. Veterans Memorial, UT, jr.
Brooke Westfahl: MacArthur, SS, sr.
OUTLOOK
MacArthur moves from 6A and returns the area’s best power hitter, senior catcher Gabby Sosa, a two-time Super Team member, who hit .644 and belted 14 home runs last year. The Brahmas are the team to beat in District 27-5A.
New Braunfels Canyon returns two of the area’s top players in fourth-year senior pitcher Haley Carmona and versatile junior outfielder Harley Vestal, a Super Teamer at catcher last year.
McCollum returns from a school-record playoff run to the fourth round with a new coach. But the Cowboys are in good shape with the return of clutch-hitting senior outfielder Roslyn Rodriguez and junior catcher America Ramirez, who is committed to Purdue.
South San moves from 6A with three fourth-year starters: pitcher Jocelyn Perez, shortstop Danyelle Olvera and catcher
CLASS 4A/PRIVATE SCHOOLS PLAYERS TO WATCH
Mykala Arce: Holy Cross, SS, jr.
Gabby Barnes: Canyon Lake, UT, jr. Cameron Cooper: Boerne, IF, sr.
Bella Delgado: Holy Cross, 2B, sr. Juliana DeLuna: Incarnate Word, OF, sr. Madison Duncan: La Vernia, OF, soph. Breyana Gonzales: Marion, SS, sr. Emma Herzog: La Vernia, OF, sr.
Kinley Keller: Davenport, OF, soph. Paige King: Antonian, 1B, sr.
Kayla Looper: D’Hanis, C, jr.
Taryn Madlock: Boerne, OF, sr.
Esther Martinez: Antonian, P/OF, jr. Samantha Mundine: Navarro, UT, sr. Lindsay Olivarri: Antonian, C, sr.
Gia Reynosa: Holy Cross, P, sr.
Ava Rodriguez: Boerne, P, sr.
Victoria Sanchez: Somerset, UT/C, sr. Jordyn Stuessy: Davenport, P, jr.
Taylor Wilson: Boerne, IF, jr.
OUTLOOK
Although D’Hanis needs to replace four-year starting pitcher Marissa Santos, the Cowgirls returns the core of the team that captured the Class 1A state title last year. That includes senior shortstop Mabry Herrman, the championship game MVP. Other returnees include junior catcher Kayla Looper, senior second baseman Jolie Frosch and sophomore outfielder Jessa Frosch, who all made the state tournament team.
Boerne returns seven starters from a team that advanced to the third round of the Class 4A playoffs. Senior outfielder Taryn Madlock (.375) is signed with UTSA. Senior infielder Cameron Cooper (UT Arlington) hit .448. Senior pitcher Ava Rodriguez (East Texas Baptist) was 17-2 and hit .392. Junior infielder Taylor Wilson hit .418.
Holy Cross returns seven starters from its back-to-back state championship squad. Senior Gia Reynosa struck out 18 and tossed a no-hitter in last year’s TAPPS Division III state title contest. With that kind of experience, a three-peat is not out of the question.
Selection process: Players to watch and outlooks were determined from information obtained from questionnaires sent to coaches. Not all coaches responded.