Aledo softball falls to Melissa in UIL Class 5A Division I state semifinal
Aledo needed near perfection to keep its title hopes alive. But against one of the most powerful lineups in the nation, the Bearcats fell short of their expectations.
Top-ranked Melissa — owners of the national home run record — flexed their historic power once again, blasting past No. 7 Aledo 15-4 in the UIL Class 5A Division I state semifinals on Wednesday, May 21, at Euless Trinity High School.
“We went through so much as a team this year, and we’ve come so far from February to now,” said senior Addie Perry. “It’s incredible, the growth we’ve had. And obviously, today wasn’t our day; it didn’t fall the way we planned it to. We didn’t have the game we wanted to.
“But hey, at the end of the day, we’re here. This is special. Nobody does this. This is our second year back in the state final four. Tonight’s game does not represent the season and the time that I’ve had here. It’s been more than amazing.”
The Melissa offense wasted no time showcasing its talent, taking an 8-0 lead in the first inning. The first two runs scored due to errors from an Aledo defense that struggled to make plays on hard-hit balls — it allowed Melissa’s Gabby Kuehler to break open the game with a grand slam over the tall wall in center field.
After another scored on a groundout, Finlee Williams launched a home run to left field, the final touch on the first-inning offensive onslaught.
From that point on, it was a different ballgame, but the damage had been done. McKean allowed seven runs — all of them were unearned due to Bearcat errors.
Aledo freshman Tempe Perry took over for McKean in the first inning; Tempe Perry allowed one earned run through the sixth inning in a gutsy performance, but the offense couldn’t climb back after the first-inning blunders.
In the seventh inning, Melissa added five runs, increasing its already sizable lead. Melissa also scored a run in the fourth and sixth innings.
In a postgame huddle, some Aledo players shared tears and thoughts on the 2025 season. Senior Addie Perry spoke up, telling the team how much she loved them. She added that even after high school graduation, she’ll be a phone call away.
“Softball is just a game, and it’s a tool that we use to get us where we want to go, but we need to find out who we are as people,” Perry said, remembering her message. “And that I’m so proud of each and every person — each and every player on this team as a person, not just a player.”
Aledo captured a Class 5A state title in 2015 and has since become one of the Fort Worth area’s premier programs, reaching four state semifinals and one final. Since 2015, the Bearcats have made deep runs but are still searching to get over the championship hump.
This story was originally published May 21, 2025 at 10:09 PM.
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