Will third time be a charm for Brock at state softball tournament?
Brock's softball program has won over 130 games over the past four seasons.
Wins start to add up quickly when you advance to the state tournament in each of the last three seasons.
But the Eagles (33-5) are still missing that one item in their trophy case that would mean the most to the seniors that have been on varsity all four years like Mattye Tyler, Bailey Wagner, Anarenee Beyer and Kacie Gilreath: a state championship.
Brock’s quest for its first softball title since 2009 will begin Wednesday in a Class 3A state semifinal against the team that knocked the Eagles out in last year’s state semifinals – Santa Gertrudis Academy (38-1).
First pitch is set for 6 p.m. at McCombs Field at the University of Texas.
“Since our match up last year, we’ve grown tremendously and everyone on the team believes we’re a better team than we were last year,” said Wagner, who signed with Harding. “We’re very much looking forward to a rematch.”
The Eagles couldn’t overcome a 7-0 deficit and six-run third inning against SGA last season. Wagner had two hits. Beyer and Tyler recorded RBIs.
“From a pitching standpoint, I just need to go in strong and confident, and mentally be as prepared as I can be,” said Tyler, who signed with Lubbock Christian.
Brock has swept each of the previous five rounds this postseason. The Eagles are outscoring playoff opponents 97-20 in 10 games.
They beat Clyde 13-3 in Game 2 of the 3A Region I final. Beyer hit a three-run home run. They recorded 22 runs on 23 hits in Game 2 against Alpine in the regional semis.
“I feel like we’re more than ready,” said Beyer, who will play golf at Hardin-Simmons. “We’re meshed as a team really well and nobody wants to go home. We rely on each other. We’re all playing for the gold.”
Grandview (40-1) plays Hughes Springs (29-3) in the first 3A semifinal at 3. The state title game is 6 p.m. on Thursday.
SGA is in the same boat as Brock, making it to Austin for the third-straight season.
“We’re excited to play whatever match up we get,” Tyler said. “We’re just blessed to get a third chance at the title.”
Brock’s motto this season is “It’s Our Turn” – one that the seniors came up with during a spur of the moment.
“It’s our turn every day in practice to out-work our opponents and it’s our turn to go win the title,” Tyler said.
Brock has scored 405 runs this season – an average of 10.7 per game. The defense has posted 12 shutouts.
Tyler is 28-4 with a 1.62 ERA and 115 strikeouts. The Eagles have hit 40 home runs on the season led by those four seniors plus getting contributions from Landry Felts, Jessica Leek, Kelsi Tonips, Payton Gasca and Lauren Kizer. Gilreath is signed with Cameron University.
Felts hit two grand slams in one inning during district play and was later featured in Sports Illustrated.
“We’ve watched other teams do what it takes to finish on top,” Wagner said. “We realized that if any year was going to be our year, this was it, and it would be up to us to put in the work to ensure that it would be our turn to take home the gold.”
This story was originally published May 29, 2018 at 10:14 AM with the headline "Will third time be a charm for Brock at state softball tournament?."