Birdville softball looks to defy Class 5A state tournament odds
John Love first became a softball head coach in 1999, which is the same year Birdville High School opened its doors.
Now 17 years later, Love and the Hawks’ softball program are off to the UIL state tournament for the first time.
Birdville (28-10) meets Frisco (31-2) in a Class 5A state semifinal at noon Friday at McCombs Field at the University of Texas. Gregory-Portland (31-3) and Angleton (32-4) are in the other semifinal. The 5A final is at 1 p.m. Saturday.
Top-ranked Frisco, as well as Gregory-Portland and Angleton, were in the Texas Girls Coaches Association softball poll at the end of the regular season, while Birdville was not. Still, the Hawks eliminated two-time defending champ Aledo and state-ranked teams Joshua and Canyon on their way to Austin.
“Words can’t describe how excited we are to make history for our school,” senior Caitlin Young said. “Going to state was our goal the entire time and so when it became a reality I think the seniors were ecstatic, but we know we still have work to do and we’re not going to be satisfied until we win that championship game.”
In the Region I final, Birdville swept Canyon 3-0 and 4-3. Young had the walk-off RBI single in the 12th inning of Game 2.
Words can’t describe how excited we are to make history for our school. Going to state was our goal the entire time and so when it became a reality I think the seniors were ecstatic, but we know we still have work to do and we’re not going to be satisfied until we win that championship game.
Birdville senior Caitlin Young
“It ended the best way possible,” Love said. “Couldn’t have planned it out any better. [Caitlin] is a great kid and one of my hardest workers and it just made her weekend.”
Freshman left-hander Grace Green (16-4) recorded both wins and struck out 27 in 15 1/3 innings.
“Grace doesn’t act or talk like a freshman. Nothing rattles her,” said Love, who’s in his 10th season with Birdville.
Green, an Oregon commitment, had a no-hitter against Canyon through six innings in Game 1. She also threw a no-hitter against Saginaw in the first round — and she thanks her teammates for her success.
Grace doesn’t act or talk like a freshman. Nothing rattles her.
Birdville coach John Love on pitcher Grace Green
“Before joining the team, I was worried about the other girls accepting me and how I would fit in. The seniors and everyone else on the team have really taken me in and made me feel like a part of the team,” Green said.
Junior pitcher Calie Burris (12-6) is another weapon for the Hawks from the mound and plate. She has three home runs in the past four games, including one in Game 2 against Canyon to tie it.
“Staying loose and having fun,” is what Love attributes to the team’s success.
In another fun twist Friday, Love will coach against his daughter, Amanda Warner, who’s a varsity assistant for Frisco.
“We had a family get-together and it’s been a standing joke all season long, who’s going to win state, so it’s pretty neat,” Love said.
Birdville’s pitching counterpart is Frisco junior and Texas A&M commit Maddie MacGrandle, who has earned a decision in every game for the Raccoons.
“Great rise ball, paints the corners well and throws hard,” Love said. “We’ll have to be disciplined and battle her and wait for a pitch that she doesn’t want to throw.”
The Hawks have come a long way since starting 7-8 after losing all six tournament games in Missouri City in March. All losses were to 6A schools, but Love said he saw “confidence in the girls and they knew they could play with anyone,” also calling it a defining moment of the season.
“Considering how underestimated our team was at the beginning of the season, it’s a great feeling to know we’ve defied expectations and made it this far,” Green said. “It’s incredibly exciting to realize we’ve made Birdville history.”
This story was originally published June 1, 2016 at 1:10 PM with the headline "Birdville softball looks to defy Class 5A state tournament odds."