PJC’s Alexander Named All American, teammates receive honors
Published or Revised May 23, 2014
Members of the 2013-2014 PJC softball team receiving NJCAA All American, All Region and All Conference honors include, from left, Rachel Withers of Carrollton, Ali Hargis and Chelsea Jordan of Paris, Arika Arauo of Downey, California, Katlin Alexander of Paris and Natalia Ybarra of Odessa.
Paris Junior College sophomore Katlin Alexander of Paris was named National Junior College Athletic Association Third Team All American. She and several other PJC softball players also recently received NJCAA All Region and Region XIV East Zone All Conference honors.
Alexander was also named First Team All Conference and All Region. According to PJC assistant softball coach Angel Castro, Alexander’s statistics demonstrate why she received her honors. She led the team offensively and defensively, with 72 hits and 54 RBI's in a 52 game season. She hit 6 homeruns in conference and 15 overall. Castro said it was an honor to coach her and said she will be missed at PJC. Alexander recently signed to continue her education and playing career at Rogers State University in Claremore, Oklahoma.
Freshman outfielder Rachel Withers of Carrollton was named Second Team All Region and First Team All Conference. Also named to the Second Team All Conference were Paris sophomores Ali Hargis, pitcher, and Chelsea Jordan, infielder; freshman outfielder Natalia Ybarra of Odessa, Texas; and freshman DP/UT Arika Araujo of Downey, California.
Withers’ speed played a crucial role in her success. She stole 31 bases and batted a .397 in conference. Castro said she was looking forward to seeing how she developed as a sophomore next year.
Hargis finished conference play with a 4-2 record in the circle and finished the season with five homeruns and a .338 batting average. In 2013 she helped the team make the national tournament. Hargis has signed with Henderson State University in Arkadelphia, Arkansas.
Jordan, a sophomore who played third base, hit 15 doubles and plated 42 runners overall this season. She made a number of game changing defensive plays and has signed with Southern Arkansas University in Magnolia to continue her education and playing career.
Freshman Ybarra finished her first season with a .346 batting average, 17 doubles and five triples. Her speed and versatility have Castro looking forward to great things from her next year.
Freshman utility player Araujo performed well in a number of different positions throughout the year, according to Castro.
