Aledo returns to state softball tournament, ready to take care of unfinished business

Aledo center fielder Marissa Powell had a message for head coach Heather Myers just 20 minutes after last season’s Class 5A state championship game.

“I’m ready to be back.”

The Ladycats were UIL 5A state runner-up after losing to Barber’s Hill, 4-1. Since that loss, the softball team has had June 3-4 circled on their calendars.

Nearly a full year later, Aledo (33-2) returns to the state tournament where it plays Georgetown (33-3) in the 5A state semifinals at 1 p.m. Friday at McCombs Field in Austin. Aledo beat Georgetown 8-5 in last year’s semifinals.

“That left a bad taste in our mouth,” Myers said. “Since that loss, they’ve been putting in the work and I think it’s been evident in the way they’ve played. They’re on a mission and they have a good chance at getting what they’ve worked for.”

After only losing two seniors on last year’s squad, Aledo returns a strong lineup that features three pitchers who could be everyday starters on any other team: senior Kayleigh Smith, junior Nathalie Touchet and sophomore Brenlee Gonzales.

The trio has combined for 30 of the team’s 33 wins and all but three strikeouts. Gonzales is 11-0 followed by Touchet (10-1) and Smith (9-1).

“Our goal this season was to get back to state and finish what we started last year,” said Smith, a North Texas signee who has a 2.05 ERA and 57 strikeouts. “This year’s team is incredibly talented and our chemistry is through the roof. We knew we could do it again this year and we are all so excited to get another chance to compete for a state title.”

Smith won 20 games last season and pitched in the state title game. Touchet is a Missouri commit who has a 1.36 ERA. Gonzales has a 1.13 ERA.

“We have depth in our pitching this year. They are very talented young ladies. Any one of them can start,” Myers said. “They are open and honest. We have good communication. They do what I ask. I am extremely blessed as a coach.”

But while the pitching staff is loaded, Aledo also has one of the strongest batting orders in the state.

Senior shortstop Macy Graf, who is a top-5 shortstop in the country, is signed to Mississippi State. Powell, a senior, leads the team in average (.500), runs (48), hits (58) and RBI (54).

Powell is signed to Oklahoma Christian.

Senior Madysen Boutwell (Texas A&M Kingsville) has a team-high eight home runs while junior Texas Ray (Tulsa commit) has a team-high 17 doubles. Four other players have at least 20 hits, Maddy Jarvis, Reagan Davis, Presley Hull and Claire Byars. Hull has six home runs.

“Coming into senior year with just having come up short at state was definitely a big motivator at each and every practice,” said Graf, who has 20 hits and 13 RBI in 13 games. “Every practice we were reminded if we want to change the outcome for this year, we must work harder than our opponents on and off the field.

“Looking at the date this weekend, we have had it marked since day one. For the eight of us who have the opportunity to play one final year, we seniors have definitely banded together more-so now than we ever have.”

Graf missed two months with an injury before returning late in the regular season.

In her first game back on April 19, she had three hits, two RBIs and an inside the park home run.

Ana Flores stepped up big-time in Graf’s absence.

She has 28 hits, 26 RBIs and three home runs.

“Having Ana at shortshop while Macy was injured was huge for us. She is a young and dynamic player,” Myers said.

Added Graf, “We work hard not just as a team, but as a family. This year we are pedal to the metal to the finish.”

Aledo has won 24 straight games, with its last loss coming against Coppell 1-0 in early March.

The Ladycats have outscored opponents 318-61 this season, including 104-17 in 10 playoff games. They won the 5A Region 1 championship over Lubbock Monterey, 8-2 and 10-3.

“We have depth this year. We’re more mature this year,” Myers said. “It’s going to be a good game [against Georgetown]. It will be a quality game, but if we go out and play how we play, we’ll come out on top.”

This story was originally published June 2, 2022 at 2:00 PM.