Jackson Parish was well represented on the 2023 Class B All-State Baseball and Softball teams as selected by the Louisiana Sports Writers Association (LSWA). Four players from Quitman High and two more from Weston High received designation, including two being named first team in softball and one in baseball.
After leading their respective schools to the LHSAA Division V state championship tournaments, Cali Deal and Maggie Guyotte from Quitman and Tait Henderson of Weston were selected for the first team.
Colton Blundell from Weston and Logan Ponder of Quitman earned Honorable Mention in baseball and Madison Chaplin of the Lady Wolverines was chosen in softball.
Holden standout Taylor Douglas and Anacoco senior Reid Rodriguez were honored as the Class B Most Valuable Players. The two state championship-winning coaches, J.C. Holt of Pitkin in baseball and Converse’s Chris Brumley in softball were honored as the Class B Coaches of the Year.
Douglas had another phenomenal softball season for the Rockets as she batted .586 with 23 home runs and 60 RBIs. She also won 20 games in the circle while striking out 164 batters. Rodriguez went 7-1 on the season pitching for Anacoco with 89 strikeouts and batted .435 with 16 doubles, three home runs, 37 RBIs, and 36 runs scored.
The local contingency to the elite squad posted fantastic numbers this past spring as well leading Quitman to a runner-up finish at the state softball tourney and Weston to a state semi-final appearance in baseball.
First Team Representatives from Jackson Parish
Cali Deal – QHS Softball: Compiled a wonderful 21-2 record with two saves and a minuscule 1.344 earned run average. This included posting 8 shut-outs and 4 no-hitters and striking out an incredible 268 strikeouts in just 151 innings. At the plate Deal hit .490 with a team-high 13 doubles and 3 triples while socking 12 home runs, knocking in 46 and scoring 30 runs.
Maggie Guyotte – QHS Softball: With stats that earned national rankings, the state’s premier Freshman batter blew away Jackson Parish and QHS single-season records after compiling 21 home runs, 60 RBI, and 40 runs scored in only 106 official at-bats. Attesting to her tremendous plate discipline was 24 walks against only 7 strikeouts. Guyotte also posted a 7-4 record in the circle.
Tait Henderson – WHS Baseball: Starting nine games for the Wolves, Henderson posted a superb 7-1 record and a 2.981 ERA, including throwing a pair of three hitters and a two-hit effort in playoff games. Demonstrating supreme control, the lefty struck out 45 batters while walking only 27.
Honorable Mention Representatives from Jackson Parish
Colton Blundell – Weston Baseball: Bursting into the limelight, the Freshman posted a .341 batting average, scored a team-high 29 runs, and had the second-highest total in Jackson Parish of extra-base hits. Included was the best single-game performance in the area of two doubles, a home run, and five RBI in a contest against Calvin. Just as impressive was his semi-final game performance of reaching base three times, and knocking in a run in his first game back from what looked to be an earlier season-ending knee injury.
Madison Chaplin – Quitman Softball: More than just a “table setter” the Lady Wolverine lead-off batter for most of the year hit .453 and posted 14 extra-base hits, including a team-leading five triples. Adding to her impressive offensive exploits was a team-best 55 runs scored and 31 RBIs, a stunning total for a hitter at the top of the order. Chalin also led the team with 11 stolen bases.
Logan Ponder – Quitman Baseball: Hit .325 against a difficult schedule and scored a team-high 26 runs. Ponder also led Quitman with 15 stolen bases and struck out only twice in 83 official at-bats. The versatile athlete also had a 3-3 record pitching with a 3.580 earned run average and a sterling .978 fielding average with only two errors in 93 total chances.
2023 Class B All-State Baseball Team
Tait Henderson Weston Jr. 6-1
Conner Mayeaux Avoyelles Charter Jr. 9-0
Reid Rodriguez Anacoco Sr. 7-1
Jacob Hungerford Converse Sr. 7-2
Jaxon Perkins Pitkin Jr. .432
Landon Hennen Choudrant Sr. .418
Luke Johnson Grace Christian Sr. .608
Grayson Johnson Bell City Sr. .371
Aiden Coffman Hicks Jr. .423
Kane Broussard Lacassine So. .333
Brody Miller Holden Sr. .364
Chase Taylor Anacoco Sr. .526
Isaac Longino Pitkin Jr. .437
Bryce McGuire Choudrant Sr. .402
Brooks Boudreaux Converse Jr. .490
Mason Bordelon Avoyelles Charter Sr. .530
OUTSTANDING PLAYER: REID RODRIGUEZ, ANACOCO
COACH OF THE YEAR: J.C. HOLT, PITKIN
Honorable mention
Hayden Doyle, Hicks; Cy Johnson, Pitkin; Lakin Odom, Elizabeth; Slay Coleman, Elizabeth; Gabe Caillier, Bell City; Colton Blundell, Weston; Noah Spears, Doyline; Logan Ponder, Quitman; Seth Cook, Grace Christian; J.P. Bordelon, Avoyelles Charter; Kaden Bradshaw, Choudrant; Cohl Cunningham, Stanley.
2023 Class B All-State Baseball Team
Cali Deal Quitman So. .490
Maggie Guyotte Quitman Fr. .585
Taylor Douglas Holden Sr. .586
Gracie Duffy Holden Sr. .415
Sarah McDaniel Florien Sr. .409
Holly Bennett Choudrant So. .405
Bailey Davis Anacoco Jr. .493
Rayni Rivers Converse Sr. .541
Jozlyn Westfall Hicks Sr. .533
Mary Wicke Bell City Sr. .540
Wynlee Vincent Grace Christian Fr. .583
Summer Brumley Converse Jr. .500
Avery Prine Converse Jr. .489
Zoey Smith Choudrant So. .562
Cora Downs Florien Jr. .394
Hanna Jackson Anacoco Sr. .427
OUTSTANDING PLAYER: TAYLOR DOUGLAS, HOLDEN
COACH OF THE YEAR: CHRIS BRUMLEY, CONVERSE
Honorable mention
Jade Jones, Stanley; Madison Chaplin, Quitman; Ava Davis Anacoco; Courtlyn Dousay, Hicks; Shae Wetzel, Pitkin; Carlei Wheeler, Simsboro; Taylor Faust, Zwolle; Jessi White, Harrisonburg; Briana King, Monterey; Emma Wilson, Holden; Katelyn Glover, Negreet; Ryann Landry, Bell City.