Baseball/softball all-star rosters announced

By The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

LITTLE ROCK - The Arkansas Activities Association released the 2008 all-star soccer, baseball and softball teams as well as all-star coaches.

Of the players named, many were from the River Valley and Ozark area. Those on the softball team include:

◊Lauren Bates of Conway St.

Joseph

◊Tia Houston of Conway

◊Jessica Robinson of Perryville

◊Angie Snyder of South Side-Bee Branch

◊Taylor Brown of Vilonia

◊Stephanie Lasley of Greenbrier

River Valley and Ozark athletes named to the baseball allstar team include:

◊Evan Bailey of West Side Greers Ferry

◊Zach Cates of Conway

◊Jacob Lasley of South Side-Bee Branch

The all-star girls soccer team players from the River Valley and Ozark area are:

◊Jenny Higgs of Conway

◊Kara Kellerman of Central Arkansas Christian

◊Rebekah Riner of Conway

◊Jessica Walker of Central Arkansas Christian

◊Brooke McCollum of Greenbrier

Players named to the all-starboys soccer team included:

◊Cory Free of Conway

◊Matt Johnston of Russellville

◊Matt Lambert of Central Arkansas Christian

◊Jack Spradlin of Central Arkansas Christian

Head coach T.J. Slough of Greenbrier was named the head coach for the west girls soccer team. Kevin Campbell of Perryville and Scott Perry of Nemo Vista will be on the east girls softball coaching staff and Allen Stark of Western Yell County will be on the west girls softball coaching staff.

The all-star baseball doubleheader will be played at 5 p.m. Tuesday, June 17, at Baum Stadium at the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville. The softball doubleheader will be played at 5 p.m. Wednesday, June 18, at LadyBack Yard at the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville.

The all-star soccer games will be played Tuesday, June 17, at LadyBack Soccer Field at the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville. The girls' game will begin at 6 p.m. and the boys will play at 8 p.m.

TECH PUNTER

RECEIVES ACCOLADES

RUSSELLVILLE - Although the 2008 football season is still months away, Arkansas Tech already has a player on a national list.

Senior punter Michael Podobnik was named a preseason first-team NCAA Division II All-American by Lindy's Football Annual magazine.

Podobnik was a unanimous firstteam All-American last season after leading the Gulf South Conference and NCAA Division II in punting with an average punt of 45.2 yards. He is one of three Gulf South Conference players named to the first team by Lindy's and one of 10 selections from the league overall.

HENDRIX PLAYERS RECEIVE HONORS

CONWAY - Five Hendrix College softball players received 2008 All-Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference postseason honors as announced by the league office.

In select voting by conference coaches, junior third baseman Sara Hunter and left fielder Ellen Burr were named to the All-SCAC first team, while senior catcher McKinzie Fruchtl and shortstop Hanna Braden were voted to the second team. Utility player Jaclyn Herrera earned an All-SCAC Honorable Mention.

River Valley Ozark, Pages 74 on 05/29/2008