CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — The Calallen Wildcats, who take aim at a third consecutive run to State, boast four players on the South Texas Softball Preseason All-Star Team - Large School Division.
Last season, Calallen ran away with 31-4A by winning all 11 district contests. The Wildcats swept Boerne in a three-game series to claim Region IV and then knocked off No. 1 Iowa Park, 10-9, in the state semifinal before falling to Liberty in the state final.
Lefty pitcher Breanna Ford and shortstop Raegan Tennill, a 2020 preseason all-star selection, lead the Calallen contingent. Both seniors were all-state honorees by the Texas Girls Coaches Association a year ago. The Wildcats, picked at No. 2 in Class 4A in the TGCA preseason poll, also feature a pair of sophomores: first baseman Alaunah Almaraz and third baseman Megan Geyer, who was voted as the Corpus Christi Caller-Times All-South Texas Softball Newcomer of the Year in 2021.
The Carroll Tigers, listed at No. 9 in the TGCA Class 5A preseason poll, are represented by junior second baseman Kaetlyn Mendez, sophomore outfielder Aylah Mata and senior Jasmine Trevino at utility. Trevino was a first-team all-district standout in 2021.
Tuloso-Midway catcher Reese Atwood has now been voted on to this preseason all-star team for three consecutive years. Atwood, the all-state honoree and 31-4A Offensive Player of the Year as a junior last season, is joined by Cherokees teammate Kamryn Salinas, recognized today at designated player. Salinas took home first-team all-district recognition during her junior campaign.
Pitcher Jade Moreno, who made the preseason squad as a sophomore last year, accompanies senior outfielder Lauren Fuller as the Flour Bluff representatives. Moreno earned 2021 first-team all-district honors in 29-5A.
Alice junior Ava Hernandez, tabbed the 2021 31-4A Defensive Player of the Year, and senior Sierra Ouellette of Gregory-Portland fill out the pitching staff.
The preseason all-star team, as voted on by area high school coaches, is completed by Veterans Memorial senior outfielder Shelbie Peal. Named to the Caller-Times All-South Texas First Team, Peal authored a 1.164 OPS for the Eagles in 2021.
2022 South Texas Preseason All-Star Team – Large School Softball Division
Pitchers
Breanna Ford | Calallen | Sr.
Ava Hernandez | Alice | Jr.
Jade Moreno | Flour Bluff | Jr.
Sierra Ouellette | Gregory-Portland | Sr.
Catcher
Reese Atwood | Tuloso-Midway | Sr.
First Base
Alaunah Almaraz | Calallen | So.
Second Base
Kaetlyn Mendez | Carroll | Jr.
Third Base
Megan Geyer | Calallen | So.
Shortstop
Raegan Tennill | Calallen | Sr.
Outfield
Lauren Fuller | Flour Bluff | Sr.
Aylah Mata | Carroll | So.
Shelbie Peal | Veterans Memorial | Sr.
Designated Player
Kamryn Salinas | Tuloso-Midway | Sr.
Utility
Jasmine Trevino | Carroll | Sr.