SANTA FE SENIOR catcher Josh Blakenship was selected as the District 23-
5A most valuable player after helping the Indians captured the district title and
advanced to the Class 5A, Region III quarterfinals. Blankenship hit .436 on the
season with a pair of homers, 29 runs batted in and 24 runs scored. Possessing
one of the best batting eyes in the Houston area, Blaknenship reached base at
a .496 clip and sported a slugging percentage of .592.
Pitcher Rome Schubert was selected to the first team following a season
where he finished 8-4 with an 0.84 earned run average. The sophomore, who
committed to the University of Houston, was one of the 10 wounded during the
May 18 shooting that killed 10 people at Santa Fe High School less than 12
hours after he pitched the opener of the regional semifinal against Kingwood
Park.
Three members of the Indians were named to the all-district second team. Senior
pitcher Jacob Long earned his spot on the 23-5A squad after finishing 5-2
with a 2.32 ERA while striking out 40 batters over 48.1 innings. Senior outfielder
Andrew Wardrup also made the team while showing his versatility as a third
baseman and catcher while senior second baseman Tyler Martin batted .324
with 32 runs scored and 14 stolen bases in 15 attempts.
Galveston Ball had four members make the first team in pitcher Dylan Whitehurst,
outfielder Austin Lawrence, second baseman Trent Raschke and shortstop
Edgar Salinas. Tors pitcher Zane Spence was chosen on the second team.
Outfielders Conor Higgs and Drake Jackson made the first team for Texas
City, which also had designated hitter Cotton Rasco make the first squad for the
Stings. Pitcher Jonathan Valdez and first baseman Drayton Garza were chosen
on the 23-5A second team.
Shadow Creek shortstop Ben Greer was named the district’s offensive player
of the year while Galena Park’s Aaron Rodriguez was selected as the 23-5A
defensive player of the year.
