UIL softball: Keep an eye on these 11 Fort Worth-area teams as playoffs near
The UIL Texas high school softball playoffs start next week, and several Fort Worth-area teams are in a position to make some noise. Here are some contenders and districts to watch:
Burleson Centennial dominates District 8-5A
Burleson Centennial is blazing through District 8-5A with an undefeated 13-0 run and a strong 25-6-1 overall record.
The Spartans are looking to bounce back after a tough, extra-innings exit in the 2025 area round. In 2024, Centennial made the regional finals, falling to Aledo — that was the furthest run in program history.
Now, Ava Ellis is leading the squad with a team-high .576 batting average. She has also tossed 39 innings, tallying a 1.62 ERA.
Richland aims for breakthrough
Once again, the Richland Royals (27-2, 10-0 District 6-5A) have found themselves sitting on top of their district with the playoffs approaching.
Pitcher Stacy Jennings has been the driving force, with 121 innings pitched and a 1.39 ERA. Mia Berain has been a focal point on the offense, with a team-high 50 hits and a .515 average.
The Royals have scored 246 runs, averaging 8.5 runs per contest, and have allowed 52 runs.
Aledo cruises through district
Aledo has faced more adversity than usual on a tough non-district slate.
However, with seven state tournament appearances since 2013, the Bearcats remain among the most accomplished programs in the area, and it would be wise not to count them out.
The Bearcats are on a roll with an 11-0 district record. The offense is well-rounded, with Brylee Gray (.444), Kyleigh Pawlak (.412) and Breleigh Mayer (.386) having team-high batting averages.
Fort Worth Benbrook shines in District 8-4A
Benbrook has a 19-12 overall record and entered district play with a vengeance; the Bobcats are on a 12-0 run and have clinched the district title.
Now, the Bobcats are aiming for consecutive undefeated finishes in district play. They will aim for a bi-district series win; in 2025, Benbrook fell to Burkburnett in two games.
A trio of talented District 4-6A squads
The fight for the District 4-6A title has been grueling, with three promising squads battling near the top. With one game remaining, Byron Nelson (13-2) is the championship favorite while Keller Timber Creek (12-3) and Keller (11-4) are close behind.
The district is strong, and all three squads will be tough postseason challenges. The Bobcats lead the charge, boasting a No. 13 ranking from the Texas Girls Coaches Association.
Sophomore Meredith Hambric has been crucial to the squad’s success, as she has posted a 1.27 ERA in 116 innings.
Arlington Martin near the top of District 8-6A
South Grand Prairie is at the top of District 8-6A with a 13-0 record.
Arlington Martin is close behind with an 11-2 record. The Warriors made an area round appearance in 2025 and will aim to get back to the second round following a regular-season finale against Arlington, a capable squad with a 9-4 district record.
Mansfield ISD thriving in District 3-6A
Mansfield Lake Ridge (16-14-1, 10-2 District 3-6A) and Mansfield Legacy (17-10, 10-2) are both thriving ahead of the bi-district round.
Lake Ridge is the front runner to win the district title outright. However, it will have to take down Boswell, which is in striking distance with a 9-2 district record. All three of those squads have been battle tested in a back-and-forth, competitive district.
With one game remaining, Lake Ridge has clinched at least a share of the district title.
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