Justyce Malone, a freshman at Prosper Richland High School, has been named the 10-4A Newcomer of the Year following her debut season with the Lady Raiders softball team. The award recognizes her significant contributions to a program that balanced veteran leadership with emerging young talent.
Malone’s performance was a central component of Richland’s offensive success, which averaged 9.6 runs per game. She recorded 70 hits during the season, a total that placed second among all players in Class 4A. Her batting average for the year stood at .476.
Her offensive output included 21 extra-base hits, comprising 11 doubles and nine triples. Malone also drove in 44 runs and scored 59 times. Additionally, she demonstrated speed on the basepaths with 28 stolen bases.
Consistency was a hallmark of her season. Malone recorded at least three hits in 10 games, while failing to reach base with a hit in only seven contests. Her production remained strong through the end of the year, including in the Class 4A Division I state championship game against Bullard, where she accounted for Richland’s only two hits.
Her efforts during the postseason earned her a spot on the 4A Division I all-tournament team. The recognition highlights her impact on a team that relied on several starters with prior varsity experience but also benefited from the development of underclassmen.
