Lady Cats Have Great Showing In All-District Awards
District championships and deep playoff runs have become tradition for the Sulphur Springs Lady Cats softball program, and this year was no different, as the Lady Cats once again put together a very impressive season. They once again went undefeated in district play and made it all the way to the Regional Semifinal before their season finally came to an end.
Although the Lady Cats entered the season with high expectations, the season got off to a bit of a rocky star, as they struggled in the early going. Battling injuries and as players settled into their new roles, Sulphur Springs went 9-9-3 in the preseason, winning just nine of their first 21 games.
By the time district play rolled around though, the Lady Cats hit their stride and began getting back to a fully healthy lineup, as they caught fire at the perfect time. Sulphur Springs went a perfect 10-0 in district play and completely dominated the competition, outscoring their opponents 145-9 in those 10 games.
The district champions kept their momentum rolling into the postseason, starting with a best-of-3 series against Brownsboro. While the postseason opener was a close 5-2 affair, the Lady Cats made quick work of the Bearettes, run-ruling them 12-0 in Game 2.
Now in the Area Round, Sulphur Springs was ready to face off against the Quinland Ford Lady Panthers, this time in a one-game, winner-takes-all. The Lady Cats were more than ready for the challenge, jumping out to a 7-0 lead through the third inning.
Quinlan refused to go down quietly, scoring a pair of runs in the sixth and another in the seventh, but it wasn’t enough, as Sulphur Springs was able to put them away by a final score of 10-3, once again advancing to the Regional Quarterfinals.
In the Regional Quarterfinals, the Lady Cats were ready to square off against a familiar foe, being paired with Van for a rematch of the 2023 Regional Quarterfinals, for another best-of-3 series.
Game One of the series was a heated pitchers duel, with neither team plating a run in the first five innings. Finally, in the bottom of the sixth, the Lady Cats were able to load the bases, when Freshman Claire Thompson drew a walk, bringing in a run, but the game would immediately go into a rain delay and be postponed until the following evening.
Sulphur Springs didn’t let the obstacles phase them however, as they resumed play the following evening and finished the game, taking the 1-0 win. The Lady Cats now needed just one more win to advance to the Regional Semifinals once again, though they would have to overcome more obstacles in route to do so.
Game Two saw more bad weather, with the two teams having to battle it out in the rain. Despite a three-run top of the first, the Lady Cats found themselves trailing for the first time in the postseason, after Van scored a pair of runs in the third and another three in the fourth.
Trailing 5-3, the Lady Cats didn’t panic, but rather just chipped away at the deficit. They scored one in the fifth and tied it up with another run in the sixth, before adding a pair of runs in the seventh to take the game by a final score of 7-5 and put the series away.
Now with yet another series win behind them, the Lady Cats were given their own opportunity for revenge, as they would matchup with Aubrey in a rematch of last season’s Regional Semifinal, in which Aubrey took two games to one, though the Lady Cats outscored them 3-2.
This time around, the Regional Semifinal would just be a one-game battle, and it was close the entire way through, with Sulphur Springs trailing just 2-1 after five innings. Aubrey added another run in the top of the sixth, but the Lady Cats continued to battle.
Entering the bottom of the seventh and needing at least two runs to keep their hopes alive, Sulphur Springs drew back-to-back walks to put the tying run on base, and the potential game-winning run at the plate with just one out in the inning. The base runners were even able to advance to second and third on a wild pitch, but unfortunately the Lady Cats couldn’t find a way to bring them in, falling 3-1 and ending their season in the Regional Semifinal.
With yet another impressive season now in the books, the Sulphur Springs Lady Cats were able to announce the All-District Awards, in which they had a very strong showing in.
District MVP
Hannah Speed, Freshman- In just her Freshman season, Hannah Speed was named the District MVP, after having as impressive of a debut campaign as you could ask for. As just a freshman, Speed was the ace for the Lady Cats and completely dominated the competition.
Speed finished district play with an 8-0 record, in which she was practically untouchable. In 32.1 innings pitched the Lady Cats ace only allowed one earned run the entire way. Perhaps just as impressively, she only allowed seven hits and eight walks, while striking out 77 batters.
With as strong of a district run as she had in the circle, she made just as big of a contribution offensively. Speed hit third in the order and put up great numbers, hitting for a .609 average and racking up 15 RBI in just 10 games. She also hit three home runs, six doubles, along with one triple, seven runs scored and six walks.
While setting the bar extremely high in her freshman campaign, Speed will look to continue to be a driving force for Lady Cats teams for years to come.
Co-Offensvie MVP
Nicole Higgins, Senior- After playing a big role for the Lady Cats in season’s past, senior Nicole Higgins had perhaps her best season yet, and was recognized as such by being named Co-Offensive MVP of the district. As the two-hole hitter for the Lady Cats, Higgins regularly set the plate for the heart of the order, finishing district play with a .604 batting average. She also was at the very top of just about every offensive category, as she drove in 16 RBI, with seven doubles, two home runs and a triple. She also came into score 22 times, scoring over two runs per game on average.
Higgins was also a great defensive short stop and strong base runner, making impacts in every way possible during her time as a Lady Cat.
Bayler Boatman, Sophomore- As just a sophomore, Boatman played a huge role, hitting cleanup and playing third base for the Lady Cats. Despite having to battle injuries throughout the course of the season, Boatman didn’t let that effect her at all, as she was fantastic at the plate.
The cleanup hitting sophomore had as impressive of a district run as you could ask for, hitting over .600 and having 15 RBI. She also came in to score 17 times and hit three doubles, one triple and one homer.
With already two full seasons of varsity play under her belt, and back-to-back trips to the Regional Semifinal, Boatman will look to play even bigger roles as a veteran leader for the Lady Cats over the next two seasons.
Freshman of the Year
Claire Thompson, Freshman- Claire Thompson was yet another new addition to the Sulphur Springs Lady Cats who stepped in and made a huge impact immediately. Thompson showed versatility, playing multiple positions throughout the course of the season, before settling into the everyday right fielder by the end of the year.
Hitting primarily in the six-hole for the Lady Cats, Thompson was great offensively, finishing district play with an average of .480. The freshman also had six RBI and 11 runs scored, either driving in a run, or coming into score almost twice per game.
Showing versatility defensively, consistency offensively, and with a Freshman of the Year award under her belt, Thompson bolts a talented list of underclassmen who will look to only keep better for the Lady Cats in the years to come.
First Team All-District
Reese Ragan, Senior- Senior Reese Ragan has been a huge part of the Lady Cats success over the past few seasons, and this year was no different. Ragan put together a great season at the plate, hitting just under .450 in district while also generating a ton of offense.
The Lady Cats first baseman was able to drive in 16 runs, while also coming in to score 16 times, and also racking up five doubles and a home run. Ragan’s ability to provide consistent offense, while also being a huge power threat played a huge role in the Lady Cats’ success offensively.
Emerson Thompson, Junior- Junior Emerson Thompson was the leadoff hitter and second baseman for the Lady Cats this season, and did a great job in both areas. Thompson hit .375 in district and drew just under one walk per game, consistently putting runners on base for the heart of the order.
The junior second baseman scored 18 runs and drove in 13, while also hitting a pair of home runs and a pair of doubles. Her offensive ability, mixed with her speed and glove, along with her postseason experience will make her a great team leader in her senior season.
KK Montgomery, Sophomore- After an impressive freshman campaign in 2023, KK Montgomery was back and even better for her sophomore year. The Lady Cats left fielder was one of the most consistent bats in the lineup, hitting an impressive .609 and tallying 14 RBI over the 10 district games.
She not only was a very consistent hitter, but did so with power as well, hitting a pair of home runs, a pair of doubles and a triple. In each of her two seasons on varsity, Montgomery has seemed to shine with the lights were at the brightest, putting together great performances in district play and in the postseason. She will look to continue to be a huge contributor for the Lady Cats, will still two seasons left to go in her high school career.
Allison Frazier, Freshman- Allison Frazier is yet another talented underclassmen that will look to help lead the Lady Cats for years to come. While Frazier didn’t get a ton of opportunities at the plate late in the season, she made the absolute most of each of them, going 5-for-8 with three doubles, one triple, five RBI and four runs scored in district.
Along with being a strong bat who will get more opportunities next season, Frazier was also great in the outfield, patrolling centerfield and making it hard for opposing hitters to get anything to fall out there. With a strong bat, good speed and a good glove, the future is very bright for the Lady Cats freshman outfielder.
Second Team All-District
Anahi Velasquez, Senior- Senior catcher Anahi Velasquez played a huge role for the Lady Cats over the last few seasons, providing them with a reliable defensive catcher for a number of years. Velasquez was also a fan favorite and huge part of numerous deep playoff runs.
The Lady Cats catcher will not only be missed for her veteran presence and strong play behind the plate, but for her ability to come up big for her team in clutch moments.
Abbey Goldsmith, Junior- Junior Abbey Goldsmith had a huge season for the Lady Cats, filling a number of roles along the way. In the preseason Goldsmith filled in as the team’s ace, doing a great job pitching, before also getting regular time in the outfield and as a DH.
At the plate, Goldsmith was very consistent, hitting well over the .300 mark. In 10 district games she had 11 RBI and 10 runs scored, also drawing eight walks and hitting four doubles.
Between her versatility, her ability to pitch, and her consistency offensively, Goldsmith is poised to have a huge senior season in 2025.
Those weren’t the only Lady Cats to be recognized, however, as a number of others were also listed as Honorable Mention.
Niya Yancy, Senior
Dottie Smith, Junior
Brailie Blevins, Freshman
Emily Adamson, Sophomore
Tatum Thompson, Sophomore
