by JASON GORDON
Hays pitcher Shane Kelley was 10-2 on the season with a stellar 0.93 earned run average. He was one of six Rebel players selected first-team all-district. Four more Hays players made the second team. (Courtesy photo)
Fresh off a run to the Class 4A Region II semifinals, the names of many Hays High baseball players appeared on the all-district team.
Hays, the District 17-4A co-champs along with San Marcos High, landed six players on the first team and four more on the second team all-district squad.
“Pretty proud doesn’t even begin to describe how I feel about these kids,” Hays head coach Doug Ragsdale said. “It was a very exciting year.”
Rebel centerfielder Trace Gandy was named the district’s offensive most valuable player after batting .500 in 17-4A play with one home run and seven stolen bases. He never backed off defensively either, using his speed and strong arm in the outfield to be a solid threat both at the plate and in the field.
“Trace was a perfect example of someone buying into what we try to do as a team,” Ragsdale said. “He always did a good job putting the ball in play and was very aggressive on the basepads.”
Hays’ Shane Kelley was a unanimous choice on the first team as a pitcher. He finished the season with a 10-2 record on the mound and a stellar 0.93 earned run average.
Kelley became only the third Hays pitcher in the last 15 years to throw a no-hitter when he accomplished the feat earlier in the season against Elgin.
“Shane was a rock for us during our run to the co-district championship,” Ragsdale said. “He always seemed to come up big for us when we needed him to.”
Hays’ Mr. Clutch at the plate this season was first-team outfielder Phillip Abreo, who batted .442 in district play. He had game-winning hits against both Lockhart and San Marcos in 17-4A action.
“Phillip was the guy that we wanted most to come to the plate in crucial situations,” Ragsdale said. “He thrived under pressure.”
Hays’ Justin Heath was the first-team catcher. He threw out seven of eight runners attempting to steal in district play while calling the majority of the pitches behind the plate for the Rebs.
“Justin was our leader in every conceivable manner,” Ragsdale said. “He was the player everyone looked up to.”
Dylan Salinas was named first-team designated hitter after batting .390 in district, and Dylan Morrow was first-team utility player after posting a 3-0 record in 17-4A, including a stretch in which he struck out five of six San Marcos batters in the game that ultimately clinched a co-district title for the Rebels.
“Salinas was the guy we counted on to get on base at the bottom of the order,” Ragsdale said. “Morrow did a great job in the role we asked him to play. His performance against San Marcos was one of the most crucial of our season.”
Pitcher Sam Breyfogle, second baseman Reuben Miller, shortstop Anthony Pesina and outfielder Victor Rubio were named to the second team, and Stefen Navarro was named honorable mention for the Rebs.
Hays finished 24-9 overall and 11-1 in district play before bowing out in the regional quarterfinal against No. 5 Brenham.
“We only had a couple of guys returning this season that had any varsity experience,” Ragsdale said. “I thought we had a chance to be pretty good, but what these guys accomplished was outstanding.”
