Fourth in a series of six

BRYAN – Bullard pitcher Brooklyn Brannen and Liberty pitcher Bayleigh Taylor shared player of the year honors on the Blue Bell/Texas Sports Writers Association Class 4A all-state softball team.

Brannen was 28-5 with a 1.39 earned run average. The right-hander had 321 strikeouts in 200 1/3 innings in leading Bullard to the Division I state title, the school’s first. The senior who will play at Ouachita Baptist University also played outfield and batted .351 with seven home runs, 35 runs batted in with 33 stolen bases.

Taylor was 26-4 with a 1.03 ERA. The right-hander had 348 strikeouts in 176 innings in leading Liberty to the Division II state title, the school’s fourth state title. The junior who is pledged to Florida State also played shortstop and batted .526 with 16 doubles, 15 homers and 66 RBIs. 

Here is the Blue Bell/Texas Sportswriters Association Class 4A All-State Softball Team for the 2026 season.

Voting was conducted by TSWA members based on nominations from coaches and sportswriters around the state.

COACH OF THE YEAR: Julie Murry, Bullard

PLAYER OF THE YEAR: (Tie) Bayleigh Taylor, Liberty; Brooklyn Brannen, Bullard

FIRST TEAM

Pitcher: Brooklyn Brannen, Bullard; Bayleigh Taylor, Liberty; Avery Dunlap, Salado

Catcher: Abby Lynch-Buxton, Aubrey

First Base: Braelyn Bailey, CC Calallen

Second Base: Jaleah Williams, Carthage

Third Base: Lila Peters, Spring Hill

Shortstop: Kara Kram, Sealy

Outfield: Ella Burnett, Bellville; Yaritza Vargas, Dumas; Kylie Butcher, CC Calallen

DH/DP/Flex: Karter Swanson, Bullard

Utility: Brooklyn Bagley, Carthage

SECOND TEAM

Pitcher: Jordyn Thobodeaux, CC Calallen; Allison Coleman, Brock; Isabelle Lewis, Prosper Richland

Catcher: Hagen Walker, Cooper Liberty

First Base: Samone Clark, Caldwell

Second Base: (Tie) Sophie Robinett, Spring Hill; Justyce Malone, Prosper Richland

Third Base: JoJo Cantux, Needville

Shortstop: Kylee Bishop, Liberty

Outfield: Vida Fierro, Dumas; Jade Barton, Sealy; Peyton Dees, Spring Hill

DH/DP/Flex: Kendall Bradford, Sealy

Utility: Ashton Eggleton, Eagle Mountain

THIRD TEAM

Pitcher: Jessica Hinnant, Smithville; Hannah Speed, Sulphur Springs; Sam Riley, Prosper Richland

Catcher: Audryna Almarez, CC Calallen

First Base: Addi Woodall, Sulphur Springs

Second Base: Ava Wilson, Lindale

Third Base: Rylea Dent, Columbia

Shortstop: Brooke Edevold, Huffman

Outfield: Karly  Kram, Sealy; Zoe Hawthorne, Eagle Mountain; Kenzi Roberts, Bullard

DH/DP/Flex: Marlee Vasquez, Andrews

Utility: Callie Phillips, Marble Falls

HONORABLE MENTION

Pitcher: Sarah Beall, Spring Hill; KenleeKeith, Lindale; Star Cortes, Dumas; Jailey Potter, Van; Devyn Somers, Venus; Josie Stephens, Carthage; Avery Dees, Needville; Alivia Ramon, Sealy

Catcher: Issabella Turner, Frenship Memorial; Aaliyah Chairez, Dumas; Paisley Keith, Lindale; Callie Lancaster, Carthage; Aubreigh Whiddon, Spring Hill

First Base: Emma Watkins, Lindale; Kaitlyn Weber, Salado; Josie Gray, Spring Hill

Second Base: Abbie Key, Liberty; Sloan Booth, Brock; Peyton Walker, Bullard

Third Base: Avery Crigar, Sealy; Kynlee Harkins, Mineral Wells; Aubrey Hassell, Rusk

Shortstop: Addi Shields, Wills Point; Makynli Zemer, Lindale; Addison Otto, Smithville; Brylee Duckworth, Spring Hill

Outfield: Laynie Marriot, Brock; Mesha Johnson, Caldwell; Emerson Swoape, Van; Claire Thompson, Sulphur Springs; Brilee Ford, Gatesville; Addison Cooper, North Lamar; Kristen Leal, CC Calallen; Kinley Brasier, Liberty; Jayci Smith, Brock; Mya Nelson, Carthage

DH/DP/Flex: Emma Copeland, Spring Hill

Utility: Tatum Gibson, Randall; Kylee Spray, Springtown; Alani De Leon, Prosper Richland; Olivia Parsons, Gatesville