Area players earn all-state, all-region softball nods

The North Callaway Ladybirds and the South Callaway Lady Bulldogs each had a player earn all-state and all-region softball honors. In the Missouri Fastpitch Coaches Association Class 3 all-state team, Ladybirds junior shortstop Jaida Gray garnered a second team selection as an infielder.

Gray was also a first-team all-region honoree in the infield while sophomore Danielle Cassidy grabbed a second team nod as a pitcher.

South Callaway junior third baseman Karli Leeper was the lone Lady Bulldog to earn all-state recognition as she was named a Class 2 second-team selection. Leeper added a first-team all-region honor to her postseason haul and she was joined by her teammate, senior pitcher Michaela Nolting.

Junior second baseman Bailey Ward was named second team all-region as an infielder while junior Abby Bartley earned similar recognition as a utility/designated player.

To help the tornado-stricken people of Dumas and surroundings, donations can be made to the Delta Area Disaster Relief Fund, care of the Delta Area Community Foundation, P.O. Box 894, Dumas, AR, 71639, or through the Arkansas Community Foundation, 700 S. Rock St., Little Rock, AR, 72202.