Shiner’s Heather Haas approached every game this season like it was for the state championship.
Shiner’s Heather Haas was her team’s top pitcher and offensive player on the way to a state title and Advocate Player of the Year honors. photos by T.C. Baker, Advocate Staff Photographer
So by the time the Lady Comanches reached the state tournament, she was more than ready.
Haas, a junior, was named the Most Valuable Player of the Class 1A state tournament after pitching the Lady Comanches to a pair of 11-1 victories, but her honors did not end there.
Haas was also named the Advocate’s Player of the Year on the 2008 All-Area Team.
"It’s still pretty exciting to think about what we did this season," said Haas, who not only led Shiner on the mound (24-5 record, 0.78 ERA, 269 strikeouts in 162 innings), she also was the Lady Comanches’ top offensive player with a .425 batting average, six home runs and 36 RBI.
Haas’ determination to win a state title came from last season’s 4-1 loss to Bosqueville in the championship game.
"This was the most focused we have been in my three seasons," Haas said. "It was because of what happened last year. We all had our minds on getting back to state."
Another state champion, East Bernard junior Courtney Repka, was named the Pitcher of the Year.
Memorial senior center fielder Erikka Murphy was named the Offensive Player of the Year, Yorktown senior shortstop Katy Rodriguez was chosen the Defensive Player of the Year.
Calhoun sophomore pitcher-shortstop Cecilia Castillo received the Newcomer of the Year honors and Shiner’s Brandon Siegel was selected Coach of the Year.