Wylie first baseman Ava Cook was recently named to the Texas Girls Coaches Association Class 6A All-State Team for softball. Photo by Elijah Kloepping / C&S Media

By David Wolman

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First baseman Ava Cook and left fielder Carlee Castaneda played key roles in leading the Wylie softball team to another district title and another playoff appearance this year.

Their performances were recently recognized by the Texas Girls Coaches Association. 

Cook was named to the TGCA All-State Class 6A Team for the second consecutive year. Meanwhile, Castaneda was chosen to represent the Class 5A-6A Red Team in the TGCA’s All-Star Game, set for Saturday, July 18, at 7:30 p.m. at Workman Softball Complex in Arlington. 

Additionally, Cook, right fielder Julia Barta and Katherine Sharp were selected to the TGCA’s Academic All-State Team. All three players, as well as Pirate teammates Katelyn Ashenfelter, Emma Cook, Avery Neville and Angel Wright were previously recognized on the All-District Academic Team.

Cook was the District 9-6A MVP was a junior and later earned a selection on the Texas High School Coaches Association Super Elite Team. 

As a senior, Cook was named the district’s Co-Offensive Player of the Year after she hit .465 with 14 home runs, 46 hits, 63 runs scored, 36 RBIs, 21 stolen bases and struck out just 10 times in 125 plate appearances. During the Pirates’ bi-district playoff series against Royse City, the UT-Tyler signee went 5-for-8 with two home runs, four runs and four RBIs. 

Castaneda recorded one hit, one RBI, one run and three walks during that same series against Royse City. During the final game of the regular season against rival Wylie East, Castaneda, an incoming senior, made a diving catch in left field to rob the Lady Raiders of a potential RBI hit. The Pirates went on to defeat the Raiders 3-2 in nine innings.

Castaneda was also one of Wylie’s top offensive threats. She recorded 19 hits in 9-6A play and collected at least one hit in 11 district games.

Castaneda was named to the District 9-6A first team following the conclusion of the season. She was an All-9-6A honorable mention team selection as a junior.

Wylie finished 24-9-1 and won its final regular-season games before losing in two games to Royse City in the bi-district round.

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