Softball, baseball players selected for All-Star game

Published or Revised September 24, 2010

Four Paris Junior College Dragons baseball players have been named to the 2010 Texas-New Mexico Junior College Baseball Coaches Association All-Star Game. Six Dragons softball players have been selected for the 2010 Texas-New Mexico Junior College Softball Coaches Association All-Star Game. They will play this weekend at Baylor University in Waco, Texas. The baseball coaches association, which involves every junior college in the state of Texas plus two New Mexico schools, selects the best sophomore candidates to compete in the games. Each of the four conferences selects its own all-star team – PJC is part of the Region XIV – East conference. PJC's first baseball game is 3:30 p.m. Friday, and left-handed pitcher Matt Buckmaster from Lakeside City, Texas, and first baseman Brad Picha from Stephenville, Texas, will represent PJC. The second game will be Saturday at 2:30 p.m., featuring right-handed pitcher Justin Scharf from McKinney, Texas, and shortstop Noel Ibarra from Dallas, Texas. "All four guys were a big part of our success last year," said Dragons baseball coach Deron Clark, "and I think they will represent our conference very well." The softball coaches' association All-Star team is made up of Region V and Region XIV colleges, and players are selected based on last spring's All-Conference honors. PJC softball players making the team include catcher Kodie Garner from Garland, Texas; second base player Sarah Long from Rockwall, Texas; shortstop Tiffany Kenney from Garland; third base player Ashley Endsley from Paris, Texas; and outfielder Lauren Smith from Waxahachie, Texas. Pitcher Kasey Carlock of Aubrey, Texas, was also selected but is recovering from off-season surgery and won't attend. The Dragons will play in all the games, at 8:00 p.m. Friday and 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. on Saturday. "This is a big year for us," said softball coach Corey Lyon. "Having six girls qualify for the All-Star Team speaks to the direction of the program. We are learning to compete and play not just locally but at a national level. I'm very proud of this group." The games showcase two-year college sophomore players. Traditionally, approximately 100 four-year college recruiters and professional scouts from major league organizations attend.