Fort Worth-area powerhouse Aledo aims to get over hump in UIL state semifinals
In the 2024 Class 5A state tournament, Aledo softball had the talent and experience to win it all — but fell just short.
The season came to a crushing, sudden end with a 1-0 loss to Harlingen South — the final out was made in a rundown between third base and home plate. Aledo players shared hugs and tears in an emotional moment for the program that nearly reached its ultimate goal.
Senior Addie Perry said the state semifinal loss “hit hard.”
“We worked so hard for that in every moment, every day in practice, and we came up, and we just fell short,” Perry said. “This year, getting over that hump and getting back there is all we wanted. That’s what we work for every minute of every day.”
The Bearcats’ work paid off. On Friday, May 16, Aledo advanced to the Class 5A Division I state semifinals with a 7-4 victory over Birdville at Birdville High School. Aledo will have a shot at redemption and will face No. 1 Melissa in a winner-takes-all one-game slated for 6:30 on Wednesday, May 21, at Euless Trinity High School.
Head coach Heather Myers said last year’s state semifinal loss made the team hungry and dedicated.
“That left a bad taste in their mouth,” Myers said of the 2024 season. “They know they’re better hitters than what we showed up and did last year. … They know what it’s like to get there. Now, we’re going back. Now, we know what we need to do to execute to be able to, hopefully, make it to the state final.”
Inside Aledo’s journey back to the UIL softball state semifinals
En route to the state tournament, Aledo has a 30-3 record and an undefeated District 5-5A championship. The Bearcats are ranked No. 7 in Class 5A by the Texas Girls Coaches Association.
“Lots of discipline, lots of hard work to get to this moment,” Myers said. “So, I’m so happy that they’re finally getting to experience this again.”
The Bearcats will be an underdog in their semifinal against No. 1 Melissa, a team that holds the national home run record. But you wouldn’t be able to tell from talking to the Bearcats, a confident team with faith in their preparation.
“That’s what we talk about all the time, is just how hard we’ll fight to get back there,” Addie Perry said. “We’ll do anything to get back in that position. And when we get there, we will not fall short. We know we won’t. We have the talent to do it. We have the coaches to do it. We have the energy. We’ll do anything to win that game.”
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Aledo won a Class 5A state championship in 2015. Since then, the program has solidified itself as one of the best in the Fort Worth area, making four state semifinals and one state final. However, the Bearcats have struggled to get over the championship hump.
To play at their best, Myers said the team needs to rely on past experience, face the pressure, and stay true to what has powered them to success: Discipline and execution.
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“We’re used to this,” Myers said. “We’re a mature team. We know how to handle this type of pressure. They always talk about pressure as a privilege, which is a fact. So we’re always just trying to keep them in the moment. Nothing’s too big. We are a good ball club. If we play our game, we will be fine.”
One of the players leading the way is senior pitcher Taylor McKean, Aledo’s ace. In last year’s state semifinal, she allowed zero earned runs and one hit with 14 strikeouts in a stellar performance.
“She’s a calming force on the mound,” Myers said. “When she steps out there the defense, it’s almost like they take a deep breath — not that they’re uneasy with any other pitcher — But when Taylor gets out there, you can definitely see it’s a different atmosphere.”
Another key contributor is freshman Tempe Perry. At just 15 years old, she is stepping into big moments for the Bearcats. She started in the circle in game two, and she also hit a two-run homer in the first inning, setting the tone.
“Nothing is too big for Tempe,” Myers said. “She plays highly competitive select ball, so this right here is something that she is used to, so I don’t look at her as a freshman on the mound. She is a veteran.”
As Aledo prepares for the state semifinals, Myers will continue to preach the importance of discipline at the plate. The Bearcats have faith that the offense will have a better performance this time around.
“You practice for this; you practice for these moments,” Tempe Perry said. “And we’ve all been training all year for moments like this and big atmospheres. So, you just feed off of the energy in the stands and energy on the field. And just know your teammates have your back. So there’s nothing really to worry about on the field.”
Addie Perry said the Bearcats will thrive if they stay disciplined in all facets of the game, have strong communication, and stay within the present moment. In the state tournament, the Bearcats will face their most formidable challenge yet, but they’ll embrace it.
“We absolutely live for these pressure situations,” Addie Perry said. “We talk about it all the time. This is what we want.”
This story was originally published May 17, 2025 at 11:46 AM.
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