High school softball state tournament schedule, preview for Fort Worth area schools
High school softball state championship week is here, and several Fort Worth area teams are heading to Austin to compete in state semifinals at Red and Charline McCombs Field.
Here is a schedule as well as a preview with things to know and players to watch from Fort Worth-area teams.
Schedule
Wednesday
Class 3A state semifinal: 10 a.m. Hallettsville (40-2) vs. Grandview (31-3)
Class 3A state semifinal: 1 p.m. Coahoma (30-0) vs. Whitesboro (32-7)
Class 1A state championship: 4 p.m.
Class 2A state championship: 7 p.m.
Thursday
Class 3A state championship: 1 p.m.
Class 4A state semifinal: 4 p.m. Corpus Christi Calallen (32-2) vs. Sanger (37-7)
Class 4A state semifinal: 7 p.m. Liberty (40-2) vs. Canton (32-8)
Friday
Class 5A state semifinal: 10 a.m. Melissa (36-2-1) vs. Lake Belton (40-4)
Class 5A state semifinal: 1 p.m. Aledo (35-3) vs. Harlingen South (35-4)
Class 6A state semifinal: 4 p.m. Deton Guyer (37-4) vs. Weslaco (35-6)
Class 6A state semifinal: 7 p.m. Waco Midway (33-5) vs. Humble Kingwood (36-7)
Saturday
Class 4A state championship: 10 a.m.
Class 5A state championship: 1 p.m.
Class 6A state championship: 4 p.m.
Class 5A state semifinal preview: Aledo
Aledo faced an incredible challenge in the regional finals against Burleson Centennial and Bailey Lindemuth, one of the top pitchers in Dallas-Fort Worth. But the Bearcats swept the Spartans with consecutive statement wins to punch a ticket to state for the seventh time.
One thing that stands out about Aledo: experience under pressure. Coach Heather Myers prefers best of three series in early rounds of the playoffs but the team had to play single elimination games against Birdville and Joshua due to coin flip losses.
One mistake could’ve ended the season, but the Bearcats secured an extra inning victory over the Hawks and a walkoff win over the Owls. Now, they’ll head to the state tournament having participated in hard-fought, close games with the season on the line.
Aledo’s most valuable player is ace pitcher Brenlee Gonzales, a Texas Tech commit who leads the team with 19 wins and a 0.81 earned run average. She threw a complete game shutout in game one against Centennial and slammed the door shut as a relief pitcher in game two.
Taylor McKean is another solid option in the circle. The junior has earned 15 wins this season while only suffering one loss.
On the offensive end, Aledo is well rounded and can thrive with the use of small ball, aggressive base running and also power hitting. Ana Flores leads the team with 10 home runs and has a .444 batting average.
The Bearcats’ lineup is consistent; Marina Tavares, Addie Perry, Kennis Marx and Gonzales all have .380 batting averages or higher. In addition, Aledo has underclassmen talent with sophomores Kyleigh Pawlak, Jordyn Edington and Delaney Rosser.
Aledo’s opponent, Harlingen South, suffered two playoff losses but found a way to overcome the setbacks on its way to state. The Hawks rely heavily on junior pitcher Lexi Sandoval, who has a team high 22 wins.
She struggled a bit in the regional finals, allowing 21 hits and 14 earned runs in 11 2/3 innings. The Harlingen South offense had her back with 14 runs in both games.
Class 3A state semifinal preview: Grandview
Grandview has had quite the journey to the state championship tournament. The Zebras have managed to gallop past the competition and even endured a tornado postponement en route to sweeping the regional finals.
Grandview, the champions of District 17-3A witha 10-0 run, has been stellar all season. The Zebras also thrive under pressure; they lost game one of the regional semifinals to Kountze but responded with 11-2 and 8-2 victories.
Grandview’s tough non conference schedule prepared the team for the playoffs. Victories over larger schools such as Duncanville, Mansfield, Stephenville, Waxahachie, South Grand Prairie and Midlothian Heritage provided valuable experience.
Leading the stampede is sophomore ace pitcher Madi Doty, who tossed complete games in consecutive, five inning run rule victories in the regional finals against Franklin. She allowed five hits, zero earned runs and tallied 22 strikeouts.
Doty is productive on the offensive end as well, batting third and posting a team high batting average (.581). Sydney Mann, Bella Jeter, Jaley James and Kylie Grafa all bat over 400, which gives Grandview’s lineup elite consistency.
Grandview is set to make its third state tournament and second consecutive appearance. In 2023, Grandview fell in the state semifinal to Kingsville Santa Gertrudis Academy. In 2024, Doty and the Zebras will enter the semifinals with state tournament experience under their belt.
Grandview has a challenging semi final opponent in Hallettsville, a team with only two losses this season. The Brahmas have won 28 games in a row and all playoff games.
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