RANKINGS
EARNED, NOT GIVEN: Lake Creek SB takes home the 5A-D2 State Title, marking their 3rd in 4 years
Under second-year head coach Candyce Carter, the Lions added yet another chapter to a storybook run that continues to shape the landscape of Texas high school softball.
“This is a whole different team,” said junior pitcher and Wichita State-commit Sara Wiggins, who earned MVP honors after striking out 11 batters and allowing just two hits and one earned run.
Jr. RHP Sara Wiggins (Wichita State-commit) is named the UIL 5A-D2 State MVPMatthew Ogle (VYPE)
“The fact that we were able to do it again with this combination is just a crazy feeling.”
From the first pitch to the final out, Lake Creek left no doubt.
The Lions wasted no time jumping out in front. Wiggins opened the scoring with a sacrifice fly in the first inning, and senior first baseman Chesney Davis (Texas State) added another run by reaching on an error, giving Lake Creek an early 2-0 edge.
Hallsville managed to push across a run in the third, briefly narrowing the deficit to 2-1. But that would be the last time the Bobcats threatened.
What followed was a sixth-inning eruption—six runs that put the game out of reach and emphasized just how deep and dangerous Lake Creek’s lineup remains.
Junior outfielders Madalyn Davis and Miranda Orso both went 3-for-4, combining for three RBIs, a triple, and two doubles. Gracee Brewer added a 3-for-5 performance with one RBI, and Chesney Davis knocked in a total of two. Wiggins helped her own cause at the plate as well, finishing 1-for-3 with two RBIs.
“We’ve done pretty well throughout the whole season,” Wiggins said of the team’s mindset heading into the final. “Today was just about going out there and playing our best softball, after defeating the teams before us. That’s how we came out on top.”
New Coach, Same Standard
Lake Creek’s rise to prominence began under longtime head coach Michelle Rochinski. But since taking over in 2023, Carter has maintained the high standard—while also bringing a unique perspective and legacy of her own.
Lake Creek Head Coach Candyce Carter celebrates with her team moments after their win in the 5A-D2 FinalMatthew Ogle (VYPE)
“Nothing changed, from the first game that we played this year to the 37th game we played,” Carter said. “The message was, ‘Be present. Be intentional. Understand that we’re going to have to earn it and work hard to achieve it.’ We stuck to that plan and executed it.”
This title marks Carter’s first state championship in Texas, but not her first overall.
In 2021, she guided Barbe High School to a Louisiana state title before transitioning to Texas high school ball. With this win, she joins her father, longtime coach Scott Carter (formerly the HC at Port Neches-Groves), in the rare company of coaches who have won state championships in multiple states.
“My entire family has been so supportive of me throughout my coaching career,” Carter said. “They’re there for every single moment, every win, every loss, every struggle, and every triumph. Of course, my Dad has been a big mentor in my life. He’s the reason that I decided to choose coaching as my profession, and the reason that I intend to continue doing so.”
Carter’s approach clearly resonates with her players.
“Whenever she first took the role of head coach, she made it clear that she wanted to establish a sense of chemistry with the entire team,” said junior outfielder Madalyn Davis. “It was really clear that her goal was to establish a personal relationship with all of us.”
Lake Creek's Madalyn DavisMatthew Ogle (VYPE)
Wiggins echoed that sentiment, calling the transition to Carter’s leadership “smooth” due to her pre-existing involvement with the program. “That really helped us to maintain our focus and continue to uphold our standard,” she said.
A Championship That Felt Different
While titles may be becoming the norm in Montgomery county, this one felt distinct for the players who’ve grown up together in the Lake Creek system.
“I feel like this time around was a new experience—at least for me—because I actually played with girls who were closer to my age,” said Davis, a North Carolina-commit. “Before, I was a freshman and I was along for the ride with teammates who were older than me. This time, I got to win it with the girls that I’ve grown up with since I was seven.”
And the community support didn’t go unnoticed.
“It just shows that the chemistry was always there,” said Wiggins of the fan and alumni turnout. “Their support has served as motivation for us.”
Davis added, “It’s really nice to know that the girls who played here before us still go out of their way to cheer us on. It shows that they want what’s best for us and that they continue to wish for us to be successful.”
That continuity and tradition have become hallmarks of the program. Even as new names take the field each year, the culture remains strong—rooted in effort, accountability, and a belief that excellence is the expectation.
A Dynasty Solidified
Matthew Ogle (VYPE)
Three state championships in four seasons. A perfect record. And a roster filled with juniors and underclassmen poised to return next year.
It’s hard not to look ahead at what’s still possible for Lake Creek. But for Carter and her team, the focus remains on appreciating the present and honoring the journey.
“I think that they’re all special,” Carter said of the championships. “You’ve got to be grateful for every opportunity that you get. Not a lot of coaches or players get to be in this position, so I’ve just been blessed with the chance to see this all unfold.”
If this season was any indication, the story of Lake Creek softball is far from finished.
Sara Wiggins (Jr. RHP -- Lake Creek)
Matthew Ogle (VYPE)
Clear Springs' Brynley & Brooke Colianni
SISTER, SISTER: Clear Springs Softball is home to rare trifecta of siblings in starting lineup
But what’s even more rare than their deep postseason run is the makeup of their starting lineup — it features three sets of sisters, each duo bringing an unspoken connection to the diamond that can’t be coached.
Senior catcher Erianna “Nana” Garcia and her freshman utility player sister Elisa “Esa” Garcia, twin junior outfielders Alana and Emily Strever, and the underclassman tandem of sophomore infielder Brooke Colianni and freshman outfielder Brynley Colianni are more than just teammates — they are family, literally and figuratively, helping anchor a team that has become one of the most resilient stories in Texas high school softball.
Built on Bonds
Elisa & Erianna GarciaPhoto provided by Erianna Garcia
“It’s an amazing feeling to have my sister with me through this run,” said Erianna Garcia. “We’ve played together for years, so knowing that I get to spend this last stretch of my high school career with her has just been a crazy experience for me.”
While the Garcias are used to practicing together, this is their first time suiting up together in high school ball — a moment neither of them takes for granted.
“I’ve been going up and down with each age level that comes my way, so this has been one of the only years that we’ve been on the same team,” said Elisa. “Since I’m a freshman, this is my first time playing high school ball. Being with her (Erianna) has been great. We know each other. We know how to lift each other up.”
That kind of chemistry shows up in clutch moments. It’s no coincidence that Clear Springs continues to defy expectations, delivering upset after upset throughout the postseason.
From Eryn Polite’s walk-off homer against Katy, to a gritty comeback in the State Semifinals versus East Central, the Chargers have embraced the underdog role — and leaned on their internal support systems along the way.
“We know each other’s struggles,” added Erianna. “I think that comes with practicing together for so long. But just like any other teammate, the connection is there. It’s real.”
Double the Talent, Double the Trust
Emily & Alana StreverPhoto provided by Emily Strever
In the outfield, it’s not uncommon to see seamless coverage and no-look communication between juniors Alana and Emily Strever — the kind that looks almost choreographed. That’s because it sort of is.
“In my experience, I feel like it’s been easier for us in the outfield,” said Alana. “We’ve been together our whole lives and we understand each other better than most can say.”
That connection has become a stabilizing force, especially as the games have gotten bigger and the moments more intense.
“We always have someone to talk to and we can help each other through any problem that we face,” Emily added. “That kind of connection is special.”
But what truly sets Clear Springs apart isn't just talent — it’s tenacity. As the season stretched deep into May, the team repeatedly found ways to come back when others might fold.
“Most teams give up when they’re down late,” Emily said. “But that’s when we start. We push the hardest when it gets to that point, and that’s why we’re in the situation we are now. That’s how we win.”
It’s not just poetic — it’s factual. The Chargers have turned late-inning pressure into a calling card, and each time they’re counted out, they respond like a family with something to prove.
Sibling Rivalry? Try Sisterly Resilience
Brynley & Brooke ColianniPhoto provided by Brynley Colianni
While some sisters grow up competing against each other, Brooke and Brynley Colianni say that sharing the same dugout has only strengthened their bond — and their understanding of each other’s drive.
“We’ve gotten to see each other grow, even before this year,” said Brooke. “It’s such a fun experience to be side by side in all of this. Not many people can have the opportunity that we do.”
That closeness has created a shared sense of purpose between them, especially on a stage as big as the state tournament.
“Because we’re so close in age, it helps us understand why we’re so competitive,” Brynley explained. “We work together rather than working against each other, especially since we’re on the same team in high school.”
Together, the Coliannis provide depth, leadership, and spark to a roster that’s relied on more than just physical skills to outmatch bigger, more experienced programs.
Playing with Purpose
Next up for Clear Springs is powerhouse Midway, a program that’s been here before. But don’t expect the Chargers to shy away from the moment. If anything, they’re running toward it — and they’re doing so hand in hand, or sister in sister.
“Midway has been there before. Nobody expected us to go this far, so we’re used to it at this point,” said Erianna Garcia. “We know what’s at stake, and we have that motivation. We love to prove people wrong, and that’s been the standard we’ve held ourselves to in the playoffs.”
And that standard — gritty, fearless, unbreakable — mirrors the bonds that these sisters share both on and off the field.
In a season filled with improbable wins and unforgettable moments, the most enduring image might just be that of six sisters, lacing up the same cleats, donning the same jersey, and chasing the same dream — together.
Because while most teams are built on depth charts and stats, Clear Springs is built on something even stronger: sisterhood.