Sinton Puts Four on Pre-Season Squad

CORPUS CHRISTI - Sinton coach Leslie Balerio enters her seventh season at the helm of the Pirates in 2014.

Expectations are high as the defending District 30-3A champions have four veterans on the South Texas Pre-Season Small School Softball All-Star Team.

Senior pitcher Brittany Herrera, senior outfielder Traci Cantu (.440) and a pair of junior infielders - second baseman Lexis Martinez (.505) and third baseman Alexandra Morin (.468) - comprise the City of Parks contingent. They hope to atone for an area-round bouncing at the hands of 31-3A runner-up Kingsville. Sinton finished 21-10-1 as Herrera, Cantu and Morin made first-team all-district.

Santa Gertrudis enjoyed a banner season in 2013, advancing to the Class 2A state championship game in Austin against Pilot Point before falling 1-0. Juniors Celeste Castillo (.403/12-0) and Sierra Olvera (.415) are the only repeaters from last year's small school pre-season all-stars. They earned all-state honors at shortstop and in the outfield, respectively, for the 39-5 Lions.

George West seniors Raye Bednorz (first base) and Erin Snider (outfield) give the Lady Horns two representatives as well. Both are returning first-team All-District 31-2A performers.

Orange Grove sophomore Hannah Halepaska, Odem senior Hayley Hartzog and Kingsville senior Kristi Rangel join Herrera on the pitching staff. Halepaska was 30-3A Newcomer of the Year and Hartzog first-team All-District 31-2A. Rangel was named to the Corpus Christi Caller-Times All-South Texas team in 2013 after earning 31-3A co-offensive MVP honors. Rangel (16-7) and the ninth-ranked Lady Brahmas (24-13) extended their season to the regional semifinals vs. state semifinalist La Grange.

Falfurrias sophomore catcher Jenna Perez (.503) and San Diego junior designated player Kayla Benavidez (.422) complete the squad. Perez was the top newcomer in 32-2A, Benavidez first-team All-District third baseman for the champion Vaqueros (27-6) in 31-2A.

The all-stars, nominated and selected by area Class 3A, 2A, A and private school coaches, will be recognized at the 10^th South Texas Winter Baseball Banquet January 29 at the Solomon P. Ortiz Center. The event is presented by the Caller- Times and ClearChannel Media + Entertainment. Tickets are on sale at the Whataburger Field Box Office. To order by phone, call 361-561-HOOK (4665).

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Others Receiving Votes

Claire Arciba, George West, Sr.

Cassie Benavides, Falfurrias, Sr.

Jackie Bigley, Orange Grove, Sr.

Brittannie Breaux, Aransas Pass, Sr.

Kiasha Brown, Refugio, Jr.

Cassie Cannon, Riviera-Kaufer, Sr.

Victoria Carrion, Robstown, So.

Kelly Emmons, Riviera-Kaufer, So.

Johni Esquivel-Escamilla, Three Rivers, Jr.

Morgan Flanigan, Incarnate Word, Sr.

Alyssa Garcia, John Paul II, So.

Jaymee Garcia, Kingsville, Sr.

Kayla Gomez, Aransas Pass, So.

Kristen Gonzalez, Santa Gertrudis, So.

Lianne Gonzalez, Robstown, So.

Taylor Guzman, Incarnate Word Academy, So.

Miranda Henderson, Orange Grove, Sr.

Jordan Hensley, George West, Sr.

Alexis Jaimes, John Paul II, So.

Gabriella Jimenez, Riviera-Kaufer, Jr.

Morgan Klaevemann, Refugio, Sr.

Lauren Lancaster, Aransas Pass, Sr.

Kasye McCool, Woodsboro, Sr.

Kayla Oliveira, Benavides, So.

Keeli Oliver, Aransas Pass, Sr.

Kristy Joe Patton, Falfurrias, Sr.

Kate Pekar, Incarnate Word Academy, So.

Taylor Perez, Woodsboro, Sr.

Brittnee Pineda, John Paul II, Jr.

Kaylee Polasek, Rockport-Fulton, So.

Anessa Rivera, Robstown, Jr.

Kimberly Ruiz, Santa Gertrudis, Sr.

McKenzie Ruiz, Three Rivers, So.

Alexis Saenz, Three Rivers, So.

Sara Saenz, Three Rivers, Sr.

Cassandra Sanchez, Robstown, Sr.

Savannah Sanchez, Orange Grove, Jr.

Moniquita Sandoval, Kingsville, Sr.

Desiraee Silva, Kingsville, Sr.

Brianna Vasquez, John Paul II, Jr.

Heather Villarreal, Falfurrias, Jr.

Kaitlyn Williams, Refugio, Jr.

Felicia Wills, Refugio, Jr.

Jamie Wilson, Woodsboro, Sr.

Kendall Wendland, Woodsboro, Jr.

Angelina Wolfe, Incarnate Word, Jr.