The Houston softball team received eight selections to the Class 2 District 3 all-district team, including six on the first team.
The top four players in the Lady Tigers’ lineup – seniors Gracyn McNiell, Lilly Kincaid, Katy Evans and Ashley Gilbert – received spots on the first team. They were joined by sophomores Ava Koch and Izzy Cook. Teammate Claire Benoist was a second team pick and Jenna Warner was honorable mention.
Gracyn McNiell • catcher • first team
A speedy leadoff hitter, McNiell is batting a team-best .537 with a whopping .687 on-base percentage. She’s scored a program-best 56 runs and has 31 stolen bases to go with 9 doubles, 6 triples, 4 home runs and 24 RBIs. McNiell has been hit by a pitch 14 times.
Defensively, McNiell has thrown out 6 of 10 base stealers, picked off 5 and been part of 7 double plays.
Lilly Kincaid • pitcher • first team
The staff ace, Kincaid has a team-best 3.91 ERA in 73 1/3 innings pitched with her variety of pitches that include an effective drop ball and changeup. She’s allowed 41 earned runs while striking out 44 and walking 40.
At the plate, Kincaid is hitting .373 with a .510 on-base percentage. She’s tied for the team lead with 13 doubles and has homered 3 times, highlighted by a walk-off drive against Salem. She’s scored 42 runs and knocked in 29.
Ashley Gilbert • first base • first team
The team’s left-handed hitting cleanup hitter, Gilbert has a team-best 42 hits – just 1 shy of tying the program record – while hitting .525 with a .574 on-base percentage. Gilbert has 4 homers, 11 doubles and is tied for the team lead with 38 RBIs.
Katy Evans • utility/dp • first team
A slugging second baseman, Evans leads the Lady Tigers with 7 homers and is tied for the team lead with 38 RBIs. She’s hitting .514 with a .636 on-base percentage, 47 runs scored and 13 doubles. Evans has drawn a team-high 23 walks.
Evans, a four-year starter, recorded her 100th hit earlier in the season and is the program’s all-time leading home run hitter.
Ava Koch • shortstop • first team
A second-year starter as a sophomore, Koch is batting .361 with a .455 on-base percentage. She’s scored 32 runs and drive in 16 while also stealing 12 bases.
Defensively, Koch has a team-best 48 assists and has turned 4 double plays.
Izzy Cook • outfield • first team
The team’s No. 7 hitter, Cook enter the lineup early in the season and has batted .288 while scoring 17 runs and driving in 19. Defensively, Cook has played left and right field.
Claire Benoist • infield • second team
Benoist, a sophomore, is hitting .368 in the team’s No. 5 hole with 32 runs scored and 29 RBIs. She has 9 doubles, 3 triples and a pair of homers.
Jenna Warner • dp • honorable mention
In just 35 plate appearance, the left-handed Warner is batting .314 with a home run, 7 RBIs and 7 runs scored. She’s walked 6 times.