Katy counts on experience to make difference in playoffs

Katy has an impressive résumé, with a 2015 state title and the No. 1 ranking in USA Today’s Super 25 softball poll, but this time of year, those items pale in comparison to its greatest advantage — playoff experience.

Three seniors on the roster boast a regular season’s worth of postseason action.

Shortstop Kayla Garcia, third baseman Kat Lopez and left fielder Bailee Shashack all started on the state title team as freshmen, then played in consecutive regional finals the last two years.

That’s 34 total playoff games — with their senior postseason still to go.

The Tigers (29-1), also ranked No. 1 in the state in Class 6A by the Texas Girls Coaches Association, take on Clements in a bestof-three bi-district series starting at 6 p.m. Thursday at Clements.

“What they’ve really done a good job of, besides their stats and what they’re doing on the field, is leading, and making sure our practices are good,” coach Kalum Haack said. “They hold each other accountable, and if they feel somebody’s not hustling as much or not executing as well, they have no problem saying something to them.”

The playoffs are all about execution. The records and rankings go out the window.

“The pressure’s on, and I like the feeling of knowing you could go home in one game,” he said. “It’s exciting.”

The Tigers fell just short of a return to state the last two postseasons, to Pearland two years ago and Deer Park last season — both times in a sweep.

“Our senor leadership feels that time is running short, so they’re doing everything in their power to make sure we’re staying focused … and we’re prepared to keep that from happening again,” Haack said.

The Tigers defeated Deer Park twice — but, as Haack points out, they did last year, too, then lost twice to the Deer in the playoffs — Pearland and The Woodlands, and suffered their only setback against Alvin (4-3).

Katy rolled through district, outscoring its opponents 145-18.

The team averaged 12.1 runs per game in district, with nine runrule contests and seven shutouts.

“There have been years where the district’s been more competitive than it is right now, and I think there will be more parity here in the near future, but it’s just one of those years where we’ve got a really good softball team,” Haack said.

Pitcher Alyssa LeBlanc, the staff ace, has 165 strikeouts in 142 1⁄3 innings, with a 1.84 ERA. First baseman/pitcher Chloe Cobb leads the team with a .544 batting average and has 41 RBIs, 29 walks and six home runs.

Garcia is hitting .505 with 51 RBIs and eight homers.

“I think we’re in really good shape,” Haack said.

“Alyssa LeBlanc has run more miles than ever, so she’s in really good physical condition. We’re ready to go.”