State softball: Barbers Hill downs Aledo with walk-off slam in perfect game
In its fifth state tournament appearance since 2021, Aledo softball aimed to win a UIL state championship and call itself the best in Texas for the first time in over a decade.
But the Bearcats fell short of their ultimate goal, falling 11-0 to nationally ranked Barbers Hill in the Class 5A Division I state championship. The Eagles ended the game with a run-rule in the fifth inning with a walk-off grand slam, finishing a perfect game Friday at the University of Texas’ Red & Charline McCombs Field.
Barbers Hill starting pitcher Macie Bryant, the game’s MVP, was untouchable in the circle, conceding no hits and no walks with nine strikeouts, facing just 15 batters. Offensively, Maddi Ray was the standout with the walk-off grand slam and a team high six RBIs.
Aledo made its first state title game appearance since 2021, when it fell to Barbers Hill 4-1 in the Class 5A title game. Barbers Hill won its first state title since its last championship victory over Aledo and the second in program history.
Aledo head coach Heather Myers acknowledged that the outcome wasn’t what the team hoped for and credited Bryant for an amazing performance. She emphasized the squad should be proud of the season, and added that the seniors meant a great deal to the program.
Barbers Hill (40-5) took a lead in the third inning with consecutive doubles from Ray and Taylor Lozano. The Eagles extended their lead with a three run fourth inning. A sacrifice fly from Savi Barrientos started the spree.
Next, the Eagles added a run on a hard ground ball to third baseman Kyleigh Pawlak. It was bobbled, and Pawlak fired to first; the umpire signaled safe in an extremely close call, one that Aledo players did not agree with. Ray made it 5-0 game with an RBI single.
Barbers Hill ended the contest with a six run sixth inning. Barrientos and Izzy Lawrence tallied RBI singles, setting up Ray’s game ending slam.
Aledo sophomore starting pitcher Tempe Perry conceded 13 hits, 11 earned runs and five walks. Aledo head coach Heather Myers said Perry did her job as a pitcher, but that Barbers Hill’s offense had a strong showing.
Against Melissa in the state semifinals, Perry put the team on her back against nationally ranked Melissa, giving up six hits to help the Bearcats punch a ticket to the title game. The Cardinals were aiming for a championship three-peat.
Aledo has three state championships in its history (2008, 2014, 2015).
This story was originally published May 29, 2026 at 6:05 PM.
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