Hays left fielder McKinna Kinsey makes a sliding catch during a game this season as Lady Rebel center-fielder Emily Opheim looks on. Both made the All-District 27-4A team. (Photo by Cyndy Slovak-Barton)
by JASON GORDON
Although the Hays High softball team finished just short of making the playoffs in 2011, the Lady Rebels were well represented on the All-District 27-4A squad.
The Lady Rebels had five players make either the first or second team in the ultra-tough 27-4A, which included the likes of 2009 state champions Smithson Valley and Canyon High, and perennial regional power Lockhart.
Lehman also had one player, sophomore utility player Julianna Hernandez, named to the first team.
Every Hays player that made All-District will be returning for the Lady Rebs next season.
“It’s exciting because with the talent we have coming back next season we are going to come out hungry as a team,” said Hays assistant coach Aaron Fuller. “Just making the play-offs isn’t going to be enough. We expect to contend for the district title.”
Hays junior centerfielder Emily Opheim was named to the first team. She hit a team leading .462 in district with a .596 on base percentage. She also led the team with five doubles and 14 runs batted in during league action.
“Emily was right in the middle of our lineup and both her bat and her defensive ability were key for us this season,” Fuller said.
Sophomore shortstop Hannah Ramsey, freshman second baseman Maddy Shannon, junior left fielder McKinna Kinsey, and junior pitcher Julia Montoya were all named to the second team for Hays.
Ramsey batted .389 in district with a .512 on base percentage. She only struck out twice in district play.
“To only have two strikeouts with the number of talented pitchers we had in this district is pretty unbelievable,” Fuller said. “We expect Hannah to be a leader at the shortstop position for us and that’s exactly what she is.”
Shannon hit .375 with a .462 on base percentage and had five stolen bases and 13 runs scored in district action.
“Maddy exceeded our expectations with what she was able to accomplish as a freshman,” Fuller said. “It’s fun to watch. We expect big things from her over the next three years.”
Kinsey hit .364 with a team leading 15 runs in district play. She also had 11 runs batted in and three stolen bases.
“Being our leadoff hitter, McKinna got our offense started,” Fuller said. “Her speed and ability to get on base consistently created a lot of runs for us.”
Montoya had 23 strikeouts in district play and nearly pitched Hays to the playoffs.
“Julia had surgery in the offseason so she got off to a slow start,” Fuller said. “But she really pitched well during the second half of district play.”
In addition, Hays had four players – junior first baseman Kelsea Sadler, senior catcher Dani Alvarado, sophomore designated hitter Gabi Albarez and senior third baseman Ashley Miller named honorable mention.
“It makes me very confident that we’re going to start where we left off this year with the people we have coming back,” Sadler said. “This year we got off to a rough start, but we really stepped it up at the end of the season. I’d bet money we’ll be a play-off team next year.”
