Barbers Hill advances to first state softball title game.
Barbers Hill’s Katelynn Cooper (00) leads the charge in celebrating a victory over Hallsville and place in the Class 5A championship game.
LEANDER — No matter when or where the game was going to be played, Barbers Hill was ready.
The Eagles clinched their first state championship game appearance with a 6-0 victory over Hallsville in the Class 5A semifinals Friday afternoon at Glenn High School.
The matchup was originally scheduled for McCombs Field at the University of Texas, but inclement weather in the forecast prompted a shift to the turf playing surface in Leander.
“This group is locked in and focused,” Barbers Hill coach Aaron Fuller said. “We preach and preach and preach not to let the moment overcome you – it’s just another ballgame. Yes, there’s more riding on it, and it is the state tournament, but you’ve got to treat every game like it’s another ballgame. This is what we’ve been preparing for all year, so now that we’re here, I’m glad they’re using and applying that.”
Barbers Hill (41-2) received a dominant performance from starting pitcher and Louisiana-Lafayette signee Samantha Landry (17-1). The senior tossed a one-hit, complete-game shutout and struck out 12 of the 25 batters she faced. Landry allowed four walks, but Hallsville (27-7-1) was never able to apply much pressure.
“Honestly, I just felt like my team had my back the whole time, knowing that this win today made school history,” Landry said. “Teams have made it to state before, but we’ve never won at state. And then being on turf – our home field is turf, and I love it, so it was just easy going.”
Barbers Hill, which has won 36 consecutive games, took a commanding lead early in the contest.
Delaney Dunham reached with a single in the first inning and later scored on a groundout by Estela Garza. Reagan Duty followed with a two-run home run to center field in the second, and Kaylee Hornberger delivered a two-out, two-run single to give the Eagles a 5-0 lead.
That was more than enough for Landry, who retired 10 consecutive batters to finish the game.
Amber Thibodeaux scored on an error in the fourth to give the Eagles a little more cushion.
“Sam settled in nicely and did exactly what we expected her to do,” Fuller said. “That’s what she’s been doing all year – shutting down our opponents. Scoring a run there in the first inning was huge. It kind of takes a little pressure off Sam to be perfect. And then Duty coming up with a big, two-run bomb and putting a four-spot up there in the fourth really broke it open and allowed Sam to pitch her game.”
Barbers Hill will take on Aledo (29-7) in the state title game at 2 p.m. Saturday at McCombs Field. Aledo defeated Georgetown 8-5 in the second semifinal game Friday afternoon.
Texas signee Sophia Simpson will start in the circle for the Eagles.
“Sophia is going to have to throw like she’s been throwing,” Fuller said. “Our bats are going to have to swing, and we’re going to have to execute when we have opportunities.”