Shelby Carter returns for defending 3A champion Celina
Shelby Carter proved last season she could hit some of the state’s best pitchers. The Celina softball star showed this summer she can hit one of the nation’s best — and that she’s hungry to win another state championship.
Carter produced five home runs and 17 RBIs in 10 playoff games and hit .541 with 13 homers and 65 RBIs for the season last year, leading Celina to the Class 3A state title. But she didn’t rest on her laurels. Instead, the Midwestern State signee strived to improve by traveling to California, Colorado and New Jersey for elite select-level tournaments.
“We played against the best people in the nation,” said Carter, an all-state senior shortstop who was SportsDay’s area player of the year last season.
That included facing UCLA signee Ally Carda, who has pitched for the USA Softball junior women’s national team.
“I hit a double to the wall off her,” Carter said. “That’s one of the best pitchers I’ve ever faced.”
Celina is No. 1 in the preseason 3A state rankings, but it’s not just because of Carter. All-state outfielder Lindsie Knowles, who has signed with Memphis, is back from last season’s 36-6-3 team. So are outfielder Claudia Cantu (signed with Louisiana Tech), all-district second baseman Taylor Norris (signed with Arkansas-Monticello) and third baseman Miranda West, last year’s District 10-3A defensive player of the year.
Celina, however, suffered a big loss when senior pitcher Katelyn Drummond tore her left ACL in the fall. The Texas Woman’s signee, who was 30-5 with a 1.82 ERA and hit .394 with 52 RBIs last season, might be able to return in May for part of the playoffs. But there are no guarantees she’ll pitch this season.
That means junior Shayna Moore will pitch at the varsity level for the first time.
“We’ve scrimmaged Denison, Farmersville, Frisco Heritage and Sherman,” coach Billy Coleman said. “She has yet to allow a run. … And she’s only going to get better the more she pitches.”
OTHER PLAYERS TO WATCH
Ranked teams
Area teams in Texas Girls Coaches Association preseason state rankings
CLASS 5A
No. 2 Plano East, No. 5 Keller, No. 12 Plano, No. 15 Southlake Carroll, No. 19 FM Marcus
CLASS 4A
No. 1 Frisco Wakeland, No. 3 Forney, No. 6 Birdville, No. 7 Burleson, No. 8 Royse City, No. 12 Red Oak
CLASS 3A
No. 1 Celina, No. 5 Lovejoy, No. 10 Pilot Point, No. 14 North Forney
OTHER TEAMS TO WATCH
Key dates
Monday: First day UIL teams can play games
May 3-4: SPC Championships in Fort Worth and Arlington
May 10-12: TAPPS state tournament in Waco and Belton
May 30-June 2: UIL state tournament in Austin
