THE BIG TICKET: VYPE’s Top-5 can't-miss Class 6A playoff series

No. 1 -- Conroe Tigers v. Bridgeland Bears

No. 1--Conroe Tigers v. Bridgeland Bears

Conroe Tigers

2022-23 Regular Season: 21-8/Tri-District 13-6A Champions

Head Coach: Danna Rice

2022-23 Playoffs:

• Bi-District: 23-0 win v. Dekaney

Bridgeland Bears

2022-23 Regular Season: 27-5-1/Co-District 16-6A Champions

Head Coach: Candi Weige

2022-23 Playoffs:

• Bi-District: 4-1 win v. Klein

This series should be on the top of your must-watch list in H-Town softball.

Conroe has experienced a meteoric rise this year, after finishing 6th in 2021-22 to become the Tri-District Champs (first District Title in school history) this Spring.

It all comes down to the performance of their stars -- Alisa Sneed (So. OF), Skylar Green (Fr. 2B), and their ace on the mound freshman RHP Eva Lantagne (.400 Season BA, 200 career Ks) -- who each continue to power the Tigers’ surge.

Bridgeland is carrying similar momentum and playoff experience, having advanced to the Regional Quarterfinals in 2022.

The Bears handled Klein with class in the first round as several key pieces -- senior UTL Trinity Allen (2-3, 3 RBI, R, HR), junior OF Chayne Allen (2-4, R, 2B) and senior LHP/OF Haylie Stum (1-3, RBI) -- led the way.

In addition, junior RHP Sydney Jackson had herself a game on the mound with a 0.00 ERA with 9 Ks, surpassing her 300th career strikeout in the process.

This is the game to watch folks.

No. 2  -- The Woodlands Highlanders v. Klein Collins Tigers

The Woodlands Highlanders

2022-23 Regular Season: 22-10/Tri-District 13-6A Champions

Head Coach: Tim Borths

2022-23 Playoffs:

• Bi-District: Series Sweep (Game 1: W 13-0, Game 2: W 17-0) v. MacArthur

Klein Collins Tigers

2022-23 Regular Season: 26-7/District 15-6A Champions

Head Coach: Meghan Fisher

2022-23 Playoffs:

• Bi-District: Series Sweep (Game 1: W 3-1, Game 2: W 6-0) v. Cy Ranch

On the Klein Collins' side, they’re as dangerous as it comes.

It all starts with their pitching, headlined by junior RHP Savannah Carter who had a tremendous Bi-District weekend. She had at 0.093 with 23 Ks (passed the 250 season milestone), with five hits on offense to boot.

Furthermore, look for Devyn Davenport (So. C/3B) and Za’Riya Bell-Morris (So. OF) to keep the pressure on The Woodlands' defense.

No. 3 -- Deer Park Deer v. Alvin Yellowjackets

Deer Park Deer

2022-23 Regular Season: 21-8/District 22-6A Champions

Head Coach: Amy Vidal-Bush

2022-23 Playoffs:

• Bi-District: Series Sweep (Game 1: W 10-0, Game 2: W 19-1) v. C.E. King

Alvin Yellowjackets

2022-23 Regular Season: 20-8/Finished 2nd in District 23-6A

Head Coach: Kelly Bembry

2022-23 Playoffs:

• Bi-District Matchup: 11-0 Win v. Dickinson

Deer Park is on a mission to surpass their 2022 form, advacing to the State Semifinals.

Considering they have numerous returning starters with playoff experience -- Erin Perez (Sr. C), Aubrey Graham (Sr. P), Bryanna Fuentes (Sr. IF) and Angelina Morales (Sr. IF) to name a few -- they know what to expect.

The first-round routing they handed to C.E. King is indicative of the star-power Deer Park brings to the diamond.

However, don’t count out Alvin just yet.

The Jackets counter with SS Reagan Jones, Veronica Harrison (Sr. 1B), Matti Matthews (Jr. P), Kiley Huffman (Jr. OF) and junior 2B Kamryn De Leon.

Similarly to Deer Park, they established their dominance in Round No. 1 (11-0 win v. Dickinson) and they don’t plan on slowing down.

No. 4 -- Pearland Oilers v. Summer Creek Bulldogs

Pearland Oilers

2022-23 Regular Season: 28-3/District 23-6A Champions

Head Coach: Laneigh Clark

2022-23 Playoffs:

• Bi-District: 13-0 Win v. Clear Brook

Summer Creek Bulldogs

2022-23 Regular Season: 23-10-1/Finished 3rd in District 21-6A

Head Coach: Gabe Castillo

2022-23 Playoffs:

• Bi-District: 2-1 (Game 1: L 8-13, Game 2: W 9-3, Game 3: W 5-2) v. Dobie

Pearland entered the UIL playoffs as one of the top-ranked teams in Texas, and after their 13-0 win against Clear Brook, nothing has changed.

Coach Laneigh Clark has top-to-bottom premier talent on her roster, from senior OF Hailey Golden, to their ace Abigail Gutierrez (Sr. P/IF), and her experience in the postseason speaks for itself.

The Lady Oilers were Regional Finalists in 2022, but they anticipate to reach even further this Spring.

Summer Creek is coming off a thrilling two-win comeback after dropping the first game against a formidable opponent in Dobie.

In the final game which sealed the series for the Bulldogs, the key contributors to the offensive effort were senior CF Hailey Akers (1-3, 3 RBI, 2 R, 2B), sophomore OF/RHP Cali Chapman (3-3, RBI, 2B) and senior Hilary Akers (2-4, R).

Another player to look out for will be Summer Creek’s Miranda Peña, who secured a 1.00 ERA with 16 strikeouts in Game No. 3 against Dobie.

No. 5 -- Cinco Ranch Cougars v. Heights Bulldogs

Cinco Ranch Bulldogs

2022-23 Regular Season: 18-9/Finished 2nd in District 19-6A

Head Coach: Suzanne Reeve

2022-23 Playoffs:

• Bi-District: Series Sweep (Game 1: W 2-0, Game 2: W 11-2) v. Fort Bend Travis

Heights Bulldogs

2022-23 Regular Season: 25-2-1/District 18-6A Champions

Head Coach: Lamont Robins

2022-23 Playoffs:

• Bi-District: Series Sweep (Game 1: W 12-2, Game 2: W 14-3) v. Stratford

Cinco Ranch knocked off Fort Bend ISD power FB Travis. Junior SS Faith Piper set the tone for the Cougs, going 4-for-5 with 2 RBIs, 3 runs scored and a triple.

On the mound, senior RHP/1B Chela Kovar delivered a stellar showing with a 1.00 ERA with 11 strikeouts in the two-game sweep. Look for those two, along with Savannah Henningson (Jr. IF) and freshman C/IF Madison Royce, to keep making noise.

After winning their district (18-6A) in undefeated (12-0) fashion, the Bulldogs outclassed Stratford in the Bi-District round. Throughout their series sweep, Heights’ bats were on fire with senior 3B/IF Sydney Palomo (5-7, 7 RBI, 4 R, HR), senior C Angelina del Pozo (4-7, 5 RBI, R, 2B, HR), and sophomore OF Helen Maddux (3-7, 4 RBI, 3 R, 2B, HR) padding their stats.

The Bulldogs’ bullpen was just as effective as junior RHP Haylie Jaime (2.80 ERA, 10 Ks) and sophomore right-hander Sara Paniagua (0.00 ERA, 4 Ks) make up a deadly pitching combo.

OTHER GAMES TO WATCH

Atascocita Eagles (25-6/District 21-6A Champions) v. Dawson Eagles(25-7/Finished 3rd in District 23-6A)

Katy Tigers (28-4/District 19-6A Champions) v. Bellaire Cardinals (14-12/Finished 2nd in District 18-6A)

Brazoswood Buccaneers (25-5/District 24-6A Champions) v. Kingwood Mustangs (26-6/Finished 2nd in District 21-6A)

Ridge Point Panthers (21-7/Co-District 20-6A Champions) v. Cy-Fair Bobcats (19-13/District 17-6A Champions)

Langham Creek Lobos (25-7/Co-District 16-6A Champions) v. New Caney Eagles (21-12/Tri-District 13-6A Champions)

Jersey Village Falcons (16-14-1/Fin. 2nd in District 17-6A) v. George Ranch Longhorns (19-8-1/Co-District 20-6A Champs)