June 16, 2016 - Sophomore infielder Austin Sojka (Huntington Beach, CA), was named First Team ALL-AMERICAN third baseman for his accomplishments during the 2016 campaign. Sojka who was a returning All Conference Player from the 2015 team and led the Conference and Region in hitting this year with a .464 average, 168 ab, 62 runs, 78 hits, 20 doubles, 4 triples, 7 home-runs, 57 rbi's, 20 k's, 34 base on balls, and 11 hbp's, He was selected this year to the All Conference team and the Region XIV All Region Team. He led the NJCAA Southern District with the highest batting average and was awarded the Marucci Elite Hitter Award. Sojka has signed a baseball scholarship at Cumberland University one of the nations premiere NAIA programs.
"We are very excited for Austin to be recognized as an All-American, he was one our leaders for the past two years and is well deserved of this award. He's a special player and I know he'll be successful in the future." - said Head Coach Todd Shelton.
Freshman outfielder Colby Price (Nederland, TX) was named Region-14 East Zone FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR as well as Region-14 ALL REGION TEAM for his outstanding performance in 2016. Price hit a .379 average in 206 ab's, 62 runs, 78, hits, 15 doubles, 11 home-runs, 43 rbi's, 16 base on balls, 7 hbp's, 24 k's and 22 stolen bases, one stolen base less than the conference leader and teammate Jansen McCurdy. Colby will be returning to Panola for his sophomore year to complete his Associates in Business.
Sophomore infielder Hector Morales (Royal Palm Beach, FL) was named First Team All-Conference for his performances this year. Morales hit a .346 average in 185 ab's, 47 runs, 64 hits, 10 doubles, 10 home-runs, 9 base on balls, 8 hbp's, and only 19 k's. Hector has signed a baseball scholarship to the University of Central Arkansas where he plans to complete his degree in physical therapy. He will join former Panola teammate Jansen McCurdy as they set there sights on helping the Bears in 2017.
Freshman infielder Logan Bailey (Hallsville, TX) was named First Team All-Conference for his performances at the dish and Second Team All-Conference for his duties on the mound for the Ponies. Logan hit a .346 average in 188 ab's, with 16 doubles, 10 home-runs, 50 rbi's, 26 base on balls, 6 hbp's, and 34 k's. On the mound Logan finished with a 3-2 record with a 4.6 era in 16 appearances. He recorded 8 starts, 1 complete game, 1 shut out, and 1 save. He pitched 43 innings, gave up only 40 hits, 27 runs, 22 earned runs, and only 17 base on balls. He struck out 42 of the 85 batters he faced.
Sophomore outfielder Jansen McCurdy (White Oak, TX) was also named First Team All-Conference for his 2016 campaign. Jansen hit a .316 average in 190 ab's, scored 47 runs, 11 doubles, 4 triples, 5 home-runs, 33 rbi's, 10 base on balls, 5 hbp's and 34 k's. Jansen led the team and the conference with 23 stolen bases, one stolen base more than Region-14 Freshman of the year and teammate Colby Price. Jansen has signed a baseball scholarship to the University of Central Arkansas where he will join Hector Morales as they represent the Bears in the always tough Southland Conference.
Sophomore pitcher Miguel Ausua (Penueals, PR) was named First Team All-Conference for his outstanding performance this past season. Miguel, who was a returning All-Conference from 2015 lead the Ponies on the mound this season. Miguel was a perfect 4-0 on the season 21 appearances, 2 starts, and 2 saves. He pitched 37 and 2/3 innings, and gave up only 31 hits, 29 runs, 22 earned runs, and 13 base on balls. He lead the team with 48 k's in only 96 batters faced. Miguel has signed a baseball scholarship to continue his education at Oral Roberts University a member of the Summit League.
Sophomore catcher Chad McKinney (Hughes Springs, TX), was named Second Team All-Conference in 2016. Chad, a returning All Conference player from 2015 led the conference in throwing out would be base stealers, throwing out 19 runners of the 37 attempts (51%). He hit .318 average in 151 at bats, scored 37 runs, 48 hits, 9 doubles, 8 home-runs, 38 rbi's. 12 base on balls, 8 hbp's, and only 18 k's. Chad has signed a baseball scholarship to continue his education at Lamar University where he will join up with former teammate and 2015 All Conference player for the Ponies, Lance Ledoux.
