October 3, 2024

Kilgore College’s new softball signees, pictured at a ceremony Friday at the Devall Center on campus. Special thanks to kcrangernation.com for this story and this photo, shot by Rachel Stallard.

Courtesy of kcrangernation.com

The Kilgore College softball team introduced nine high school softball players who signed with the Rangers at a press conference on Jan. 19.

KC will begin its softball season this coming Friday, Jan. 26, under first-year head coach Amber Williams, herself a former KC player, and a Kilgore High School graduate. They’ll host Hill College in a doubleheader that day, with game one starting at 1 p.m. at the Ballpark at KC Commons, on Houston Street.

The Rangers then have a rematch with Hill on Jan. 31 at Hill, starting at 1 p.m., as well.

For more information on the KC softball program, visit www.kcrangernation.com.

Signees for 2024-25 season:

  • Dekarra Anderson: UT/IF, Port Arthur High School
  • Jordan Andrade: RHP/MI, Mount Pleasant High School
  • Lexi Barr: UTL, Beckville High School
  • Alyssa Baxter: INF, Hughes Springs High School
  • Sierra Channel: UTL, Whitehouse High School
  • Jasmine Gallegos: RHP/UTL, Jacksonville High School
  • Lauren Minatrea: C/1B/3B, Marshall High School
  • Kinnzie Norton: INF/UTL, Rusk High School
  • Madison Saldana: 1B/3B, Rusk High School

About the student-athletes:

Dekarra Anderson is the daughter of Demar and Denise Anderson. She will graduate from Port Arthur Memorial High School. She currently plays for the Next Gen Softball organization out of the Southeast Texas area. Dekarra is an honorable mention softball selection, member of her high school’s student council, and a part of the Ladies of Memorial organization. Her intended major is nursing.

Jordan Andrade is the daughter of Daniel and Brandi Batchelor. Jordan plays for Hotshots – Zachry from Mount Pleasant. At Mount Pleasant High School, Jordan is a 15-5A first team all-district pitcher selection, and a two time all district infield selection. She has also participated in the Tigers volleyball program where she was awarded Server of the Year, and a three-time, first team all-district selection. Jordan also was named Co-Newcomer of the Year her freshman year, and she is a part of Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA) Practicum 2 program. Her intended major is also nursing.

Alyssa Baxter is the daughter of Sean and Glenna Baxter. She plays for Illusions Gold – Baxter. At Hughes Springs High School, she has been awarded Offensive MVP and a 3x Academic All-District selection. She has been an active student-athlete as a participant in the Mustangs Volleyball where she was named Blocker of the Year and second team all-district. She also participates in track and yearbook. Her intended major is diagnostic medical sonography.

Sierra Channel is the daughter of Ricky and Kelli Channel. She plays select for Texas Athletics Gold – Stanley. At Whitehouse High School, Sierra has been named 15-5A third base honorable mention and second team all-district infield. She is a part of the National Honor Society, and her intended major is physical therapy.

Jasmine Gallegos is the daughter of Ruben Gallegos and Elizabeth Perez. At Jacksonville High School, Jasmine has been named 16-5A first team and second team all-district selections, 18-4A Offensive Player of the Year, Tyler Morning Telegraph All East Texas Honorable mention, All Rose County 2nd Team Shortstop, third team Texas Sports Writers’ Association Class 4A All-State Utility player and a 3x Academic All-District Selection. Her intended major is psychology.

Lauren Minatrea is the daughter of Ronny and Nicole Minatrea and Trey and Amanda Vanderburg. She currently plays for Illusions Gold – Baxter. At Marshall High School, Lauren has been named a 2x Academic All-District selection, 15-5A second team infield and All East Texas Honorable Mention. Lauren was named the 2023 Team Offensive MVP, Longview News Journal Hitter of the Week and held top rankings on the East Texas Softball leaderboard for Batting Average, RBIs and Home Runs. She is an active student athlete at Marshall where she is the Student Council President and a part of the Mindset Breaking Club, UIL Academics and the National Honor Society. Her intended major is government.

Kennzie Norton is the daughter of Keith and Samantha Norton and Scott and Amy Benefield. She played for Marucci Elite – Bouis. At Rusk High School, Kennzie has been awarded First Team All-District, Second Team All-District and a 3x Academic All-District selection. She is also an active student athlete at Rusk where she has participated in the Eagles volleyball program, FFA, 4H showing pigs and involved in the youth group at Rusk First Baptist Church. Her major after KC will be animal science.

Madison Saldana is the daughter of Hugo and Kristen Saldana. She plays for Texas Blaze HTX National 18U – Darilek. As a Magnolia High School Bulldog, Madison has been awarded honorable mention, the Bulldog Heart Award and Academic All District. Madison is an active member of the National Honor Society, National English Honor Society, Fellowship of Christian Athletes and her church. She is currently undecided in her major, but leaning towards something in the medical field.

(Again, this story courtesy of kcrangernation, the Kilgore College athletics website)

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