Saturday, June 29, 2024
With the book officially closed on the high school baseball and softball seasons, the accolades continue to roll in for Gatesville.
Most recently, baseball standout Bralen Veazey was named to the Texas High School Baseball Coaches Association all-state team as a pitcher and a first baseman. The Temple College signee was a Second Team selection and was the only player in Texas to be named to the team at two different positions.
Known primarily for his work on the mound, the lefty turned in a 9-1 mark in his senior season with 100 strikeouts and an ERA of 1.055. The nine wins ties him for the most in a single-season in program history and his ERA is the second-best single-season mark.
In his final high school start, he threw a no-hitter to force a third game in the Hornets regional quarterfinal playoff series against Salado and he leaves Gatesville as the all-time leader in wins, strikeouts and ERA.
In 2024, Veazey turned in the best offensive season of his four-year career hitting .336 with four home runs and 42 runs batted in. His RBI total in 2024 was the second-best mark in program history.
For his work on the mound, Veazey was also named the District 23-4A Pitcher of the Year, and his battery-mate Lawson Mooney was named Co-Offensive Player of the Year.
Mooney, a four-year letterman, banged out 43 hits in 2024 – second-most in program history. He scored 25 runs and drove in 22 runs. In district play, he hit a scorching .483 and struck out just once in 37 plate appearances. For the season, he struck out only six times in 143 plate appearances and reached base at a .483 clip.
Mooney leaves Gatesville as the stolen base king for Gatesville, swiping a record 27 bags in 2023 and 59 for his career. His 310 career at-bats are second-most in program history.
While Veazey and Mooney took home superlatives, the Hornets had four First Team All-District selections. Senior first baseman Clayton Gregory, junior shortstop John Ibarra, sophomore Bradey James, and sophomore pitcher Gehrig Keeton were all awarded first-team honors.
Gregory hit. 308 in district highlighted by a game-winning single at Salado and drove in nine runs during league play. The sure-handed and slick-fielding Ibarra did not make an error in 25 chances in the field during district play. He finished the season on a streak of 21 games without an error.
James hit .321 in district play and tied Veazey for the team lead with three doubles. He tripled twice and struck out just one time in district play. James struck out just eight times in a program-record 125 at-bats and did not strike out looking all season.
Keeton picked up a pair of wins in district play including a shutout in the league-opener against Robinson. He also hit .286 with a pair of doubles.
Gatesville had two second team selections in senior Justin Johnson and sophomore Miles Tull while senior Sean Aguilar, sophomore Jastin Muegge, and second baseman Logan Biggs were all honorable mention selections.
The Hornets advanced to the regional quarterfinals for the second straight season and just the fourth time in program history.
Gatesville softball picked up four First Team All-District nods after a third-place finish in league play and another playoff appearance.
Madison Hester, Raylee Glover, Kinlee Gardner and Megan Mehaffey were all selected to the first team while Brilee Ford and Madison Birnel were second team choices. Grace Carothers, Kallie Featherston, Emma Raby, and Journey Garrett were honorable mention choices.
The Lady Hornets were an offensive powerhouse in 2024 and were led by their catcher Glover who hit .413, slugged .808 and hit six home runs. Gardner – an infielder - hit .402 and hit four home runs of her own – tying her with Featherston for second on the team.
Garrett (Utility), Hester (Pitcher), and Mehaffey (Utility) all hit over .300 as well and Hester drove in 15 runs in just 15 games played in 2024.
Mehaffey went 7-1 in her freshman season in the circle while Hester and Featherston were both 4-0. Mehaffey struck out 110 batters in 94 innings of work.
