BY MIKE MONTFORT

 

Four members of coach Jessica Karenke-Burke's softball team earned post-season honors as Region XIV coaches announced their all-conference and all-region squads.

Two sophomores – outfielders Cynthia Sizemore and Kallie Beasley – were recognized on both elite squads. Two freshmen – shortstop Taylor Nuckolls and catcher Brinly Burke – were selected as second-team all-conference performers.

Sizemore, a dual first-teamer, capped a spectacular career here with a 47-game slashline of .439/.465/.890 after leading the Bulldogs in most batting categories. The Trinity, Tx., centerfielder hit 16 home runs, drove in 62 runs, stole 20 of 21 bases, and scored 45 runs. She also led the
Bulldogs in at-bats (155), hits (68), doubles (16), extra-base hits (35) and total bases (138).

Beasley was chosen first-team all-conference and second-team all-region. The right fielder from Mabank, hit .405, scored 47 runs in 47 games and stole a team-best 48 bases for a Navarro club that finished No. 2 nationally in the category (222) behind Indian River State (268).

Freshmen Nuckolls and Burke further cemented their values and roles here with second-team all-conference selections.

Nuckolls, from Lago Vista, batted .359 in 49 games (52-of-145) with 15 extra-base hits. Nuckolls hit four home runs, knocked in 31 and stole 25 bases – one of six Bulldogs to swipe 20+.

Burke collected 47 hits in her 48-game freshman campaign and batted .412 for NC. The Corsicana native belted 14 doubles among 16 extra-base hits and also produced eight sacrifice hits, finishing with 33 runs-batted-in.