Lake Creek, others eye deep runs
The Texas high school girls softball season gets underway this week, and several Houston-area teams have big aspirations for the new campaign. Here’s a look at some of the top teams to watch as they start their quests for district championships and deep postseason runs.
Lake Creek
It hasn’t taken Lake Creek long to build a winning tradition under coach Michelle Rochinski. The Lions are coming off a perfect season after going 41-0 overall and haven’t dropped a district game since 2018-19 in the program’s first varsity season. After falling to eventual champ Barbers Hill in the 2020-21 regional championship, Lake Creek shut out Georgetown to capture its first state title in 2022. The Lions recorded their 19th shutout of the season (sixth of the postseason) by beating the Eagles 7-0 in the Class 5A championship game. With only three graduates from a squad that outscored their opponents 337-43, the Lions have more than enough talent to repeat. One of the big returners is senior pitcher and University of Florida signee Ava Brown who was named the Texas Gatorade Softball Player of the Year after posting a 30-0 record with a 0.46 ERA and 335 strikeouts in just over 180 innings as a junior. She pitched four no-hitters and batted .405 with 10 home runs and 43 RBIs. She’ll be joined by senior hitter and LSU signee Maddie McKee who slashed .511/.554/.851 with 72 hits, 15 doubles, six triples, seven home runs, 47 RBIs, 77 steals and 70 runs scored last year.
Deer Park
Deer Park is two years removed from winning its third state championship in shutout fashion over Converse Judson (1-0). Last year’s squad secured the program’s sixth unbeaten district championship in the last seven seasons but fell one win shy of reaching its second consecutive title game under coach Amy Vidal. The Deer suffered more losses in last year’s playoffs than the regular season. The biggest one came against Lake Ridge, which scored six runs in the top of the fourth inning of the 6A state semifinals to escape with an 8-4 victory. To make its third consecutive state appearance and sixth overall, Deer Park will rely on hitters Kaitlyn Zaid, Angelina Morales and Kylie Wilson who all batted over .400 last year. On the mound, senior Aubrey Graham returns from a staff that limited opponents to about 1.6 runs per game.
Liberty
Liberty’s last three teams to record 30 or more victories all finished as state champions. The past two teams won over 70 games and repeated as state champs under coach Karen Slack. The 2018 Panthers set the tone by taking down Vernon 3-1 in the 4A state championship game, the 2021 Panthers bested Calallen 10-3 in the title game and last year’s Panthers shut out Sweeny 5-0 to capture the program’s third state title in five seasons. The 2022 Panthers also won the most games in program history by going 38-6. The Panthers will be counting on a bunch that features senior Reese Evans, juniors Bailee Black and Hollie Thomas and sophomore Bryana Pantalion. The pitching staff returns the other All-Tournament team selection in junior Kamdyn Chandler, who pitched a four-hit shutout with three strikeouts and six walks in the championship game.
Pearland
Pearland is coming off its first Region 3-6A championship series since 2016 when the Oilers fell to Keller in the 6A state final. The Oilers went 32-10 overall last year under coach Laneigh Lark and started the playoffs by sweeping its first three opponents and took down Katy 2-1 in a best-of-three series before falling to Deer Park, the reigning champs at the time, in back-to-back games. The top three players with the highest batting average from that team all return starting with senior outfielder and Texas A&M signee Hailey Golden who slashed .625/.674/.741 with 75 hits, 24 RBI, 61 runs and 37 stolen bases. Senior infielder Kristyn Whitlock batted .457 with 53 hits, 51 RBI, 32 runs and six home runs (team leader) and outfielder Kennedy Drafton hit .547 with 41 hits, 37 RBI, 31 runs and 15 stolen bases. On the mound, senior Abigail Gutierrez returns after posting a 14-1 record with an .096 ERA and 119 strikeouts, while Isela Flores went 12-3 with a 3.98 ERA and 64 strikeouts as a freshman.
The Woodlands
The Woodlands returns all but three players from a team that went 25-18 overall a year ago and reached the Region 2-6A championship series under coach Tim Borths. The Highlanders won four Game 3s before falling to Lake Ridge in straight games. Five players from that squad, who all batted over .350 in 43 games and combined for 25 home runs, return as seniors. Leading the way is outfielder and Tennessee signee Alannah Leach, who slashed .478/ .513/.724 with 66 hits, 45 RBI, 42 runs and 42 stolen bases. Her sister outfielder Gabby, also a Tennessee signee, batted .396 with 57 hits and 54 runs. First baseman Kaelyn Zusi batted .411 with 46 hits, 39 RBI, and a team high 11 home runs, the next highest was Gabby with five. Catcher Kiara Wiedenhaupt batted .375 with 45 runs and 29 RBI, and third baseman Emma Landauer hit .354 with 29 hits and 24 runs. On the mound, the Highlanders are led by another pair of sisters in senior and Oklahoma State signee Saylor Davis and sophomore Chesney Davis.
Other teams to watch
Sweeny, Santa Fe, East Bernard, Brazoswood, Clear Springs, Katy, Barbers Hill, Friendswood, Bridgeland, Foster