With the Texas high school baseball and softball state championships quickly approaching, the Big Country’s best spring sports athletes shined across the Lone Star State last week.
Several athletes had standout performances during the last week and have been nominated for this week’s Abilene Reporter-News High School athlete of the week.
The Reporter-News is taking weekly nominations and will release a list of finalists for the Athlete of the Week each Tuesday.
Please include statistics from the week’s games and any pertinent information or honors.
Students in all varsity sports are eligible and can only be named Athlete of the Week one time per season, per sport, and athletes from one school cannot win more than three consecutive weeks.
The poll will close at noon Saturday and the winner will be announced Saturday afternoon.
Nominations are due by 5 p.m. Monday and can be submitted through email at sports@reporternews.com or Andrew.McCulloch@reporternews.com.
Take a look at this week’s candidates and cast your vote.
Candidates for the Abilene Reporter-News’ High School Athlete of the Week are listed in alphabetical order below.
Mia Clemmer, Coahoma softball
Clemmer, a Texas Longhorns commit, helped lead the Bulldogettes to their third straight state title with a 6-1 win against Lexington in the Class 3A Division II UIL Softball State Championship game. She went 2-for-4 at the plate and accounted for two RBIs, a run scored, a home run and a double.
Caden Moreno, Stamford baseball
Moreno had one of the hottest bats in the Bulldogs’ lineup during their 2-0 series loss to Collinsville in the state semifinals of the 2A DII UIL Baseball Playoffs. He finished the series 2-for-6 at the plate with a pair of doubles and a steal. Moreno also started Game 2 of the series on the mound, striking out six while allowing nine walks, three hits and five earned runs in four innings pitched.
Aiden Shank, Gordon baseball
Shank shined on the mound in Game 1 and thrived at the plate in Game 2 to help the Longhorns sweep Hamlin in their best-of-three state semifinals series in the 1A UIL Baseball Playoffs. He ended the series 3-for-5 at the plate with five runs scored, four stolen bases, two RBIs, a double and four walks. Shank also earned a Game 1 win and a Game 2 save on the mound after tallying five strikeouts with six walks and one hit allowed in 4 ⅓ scoreless innings pitched.
Hannah Wells, Coahoma softball
Wells, a Texas Longhorns signee, was recognized as the MVP of the Class 3A Division II UIL Softball State Championship game in her final high school game after leading Coahoma to a 6-1 win over Lexington. She went 2-for-3 at the plate with two runs scored, an RBI, a home run, a double and an intentional walk. The Bulldogettes’ ace also earned the win in the circle after tallying eight strikeouts with six hits, two walks and one earned run allowed through seven innings and 120 pitches.
Luke White, Hamlin baseball
White provided some pop to the top of the Pied Pipers’ lineup in their 2-0 series loss to Gordon in the state semifinals of the 1A UIL Baseball Playoffs. He posted a 2-for-5 performance at the plate with two RBIs, two walks, a run scored and a stolen base.
VOTE HERE
Submit nominees, with stats, honors and accolades from the previous week by Monday each week to sports@reporternews.com or Andrew.McCulloch@reporternews.com.
This article originally appeared on Abilene Reporter-News: Who should be the Abilene Reporter-News’ High School Athlete of the Week? (May 26-31)
Reporting by Andrew McCulloch, Abilene Reporter-News / Abilene Reporter-News
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