GAMES
RANKINGS
Pearland Softball celebrates their 9-8 comeback win against Deer Park in the Regional Finals
TWO MORE: Clark, Pearland return to State following walk-off thriller
The Lady Oliers’s backs were against the wall, but with two runners on base, pinch-hitter Gabbie Roundtree (Sr. OF) came in the clutch with an immaculate three-run homer over left field to tie it up--much to the thrill of the Pearland crowd and dugout.
Gabbie Roundtree (Sr. OF) celebrates with her team after tying the game in the 7th
Lloyd Hendricks (Hendricks Rockography)
Shortly thereafter, SHSU-signee Kristyn Whitlock (Sr. IF) would smack a pitch deep into right field. This allowed junior Kelsey Martin to tag from third for the walk-off sac-fly that would send the Lady Oilers to the State Tournament.
“I think it was one of the greatest comebacks that I’ve ever been a part of, in my softball-coaching career,” said Laneigh Clark. “Not only because the kids never died, never quit, and had a lot of tenacity. But also because the game was just played the right way by both teams.”
Lloyd Hendricks (Hendricks Rockography)
“There was great sportsmanship, the fans were great, and there was nothing negative between the two sides. It was all very professional and that’s something you love to see as a coach.”
Whitlock (3 RBIs, HR), senior IF/UTL Kennedy Drafton (R, HR), and junior IF Raenna Liscano (RBI) were also key contributors in Pearland’s scoring effort to last year’s state finalists, Deer Park.
SHSU-signee Kristyn Whitlock (Sr. IF) rounds the bases after her solo-HR in the fifth inningLloyd Hendricks (Hendricks Rockography)
The upcoming appearance in the UIL State Tournament marks the sixth time, in coach Clark’s 25-year career at Pearland, that her team has reached this point.
Having won it all in 1996 and 2010--while finishing as the state runner-ups twice (2009, 2016) and state semi-finalists in 2011--Pearland is in pursuit of its third state title.
“Their [the team’s] mindset is that they are going to do whatever it takes to become a winner,” Clark said. “They all have great attitudes. They work hard for one another, and for us coaches. I think, overall, their selflessness is one of the team’s greatest strengths.”
Some of Pearland's senior starsJustin Hartojo (VYPE)
Given the number of seniors on the team, it goes without saying that they intend to cap off their high school careers with a championship--not to mention with a close-knit Pearland community of supporters in the stands.
“I think it would be the ultimate way to end a season--for that to happen,” said Clark. “Especially for those seniors, because they’ve worked so hard for four years to get where they are.”
“These past couple of weeks have been highlighted by celebration, which included a private graduation ceremony with all of the senior softball and baseball players. With all the people involved--the parents, students, teachers, administration, and the district--it’s a nice feeling to have that support, and we hope to keep the celebration going.”
With an 18-game winning streak under their belts, the Lady Oilers are two away from cementing themselves in history.
Pearland (39-3) will be facing off in the State Semis, against San Benito (40-5), at Red & Charline McCombs Field in Austin, TX at 4:00 pm, to get things rolling.
Haylie Stum of Bridgeland Softball
ONE STEP AWAY: Four Houston softball programs vying for two coveted spots at State
With two prime-time matchups slotted for this week --- Bridgeland v. Langham Creek in Region II, and Deer Park v. Pearland in Region III--- the postseason hype has never been greater.
Here is a look at the H-Town powerhouses aiming to punch their ticket to Austin for the State Tournament.
H-Town 6A Standouts: Kasey Simmons (Sr. C/2B)--Langham Creek
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
Deer Park Deer v. Pearland Oilers
2022-23 Deer Park Softball
Jamie Wright (VYPE)
2022-23 Regular Season: 21-8/District 22-6A Champions
2022-23 Playoffs:
- Bi-District: Series Sweep (Game 1: W 10-0, Game 2: W 19-1) v. C.E. King
- Area Round: 2-1 Series Win (Game 1: L 3-5, Game 2: W 5-4, Game 3: W 5-4) v. Alvin
- Regional Quarters: 2-1 Series Win (Game 1: W 13-9, Game 2: L 7-11, Game 3: W 10-3) v. Atascocita
- Regional Semis: Series Sweep (Game 1; W 17-3, Game 2: W 8-2) v. Ridge Point
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
- Area Round: Series Sweep (Game 1: W 1-0, Game 2: W 8-4) v. Summer Creek
- Regional Quarters: Series Sweep (Game 1: W 9-6, Game 2: W 1-0) v. Kingwood
- Regional Semis: Series Sweep (Game 1: W 10-0, Game 2: W 9-0) v. Bellaire
Both of these ball clubs have a storied history in their pursuit of a State Championship.
Deer Park won it all in 2021 and narrowly missed out on a repeat last Spring.
Pearland's most recent title was acquired in 2010, but the squad they have now is more than capable of ending the drought.
With legendary coaches on both sides not to mention an all-star cast of players facing off, this series should go down as perhaps the most pivotal of the season.
2022-23 Pearland Softball
Justin Hartojo (VYPE)
Bridgeland Bears v. Langham Creek Lobos
2022-23 Bridgeland Softball
Justin Hartojo (VYPE)
2022-23 Regular Season: 27-5-1/Co-District 16-6A Champions
2022-23 Playoffs:
- Bi-District: 4-1 win v. Klein
- Area Round: Series Sweep (Game 1: W 6-0, Game 2: W 5-4) v. Conroe
- Regional Quarters: Series Sweep (Game 1: W 18-1, Game 2: W 4-1) v. Spring
- Regional Semis: 2-1 Series Win (Game 1: L 2-5, Game 2: W 16-5, Game 3: W 10-1) v. Wylie
2022-23 Regular Season: 25-7/Co-District 16-6A Champions
2022-23 Playoffs:
- Bi-District: Series Sweep (Game 1: W 11-1, Game 2: W 8-0) v. Klein Oak
- Area Round: 2-1 Series Win (Game 1: W 7-6, Game 2: L 7-10, Game 3: 2-0) v. New Caney
- Regional Quarters: Series Sweep (Game 1: W 1-0, Game 2: W 3-2) v. Klein Collins
- Regional Semis: Series Sweep (Game 1: W 10-0, Game 2: W 1-0) v. Midway
This series will showcase an a heated rivalry between two Cy-Fair ISD powerhouses.
Bridgeland is coming off remarkable turnaround against Wylie, in which they fell in the series opener 2-5, only to respond with monster 16-5 and 10-1 victories in the subsequent matches.
The offensive onslaught in their two wins was spearheaded by senior LHP/OF Haylie Stum, who batted for just over .600, with 10 composite RBIs, three runs scored, plus a crowd-pleasing grand slam in the series clincher.
Props to senior C/SS Lilli Piersons, who hit 2-for-3 with five RBIs and a run scored, as well as juniors Chayne Allen (2-3, RBI, 5R) and Daniela Lopez (3-4, RBI, 2R), who also played major roles in the comeback effort in game two.
On the other side, Langham Creek is looking as scary as ever, especially with Emily Simmons on the mound.
The senior right-hander continues to cook through the postseason, most recently shutting out Midway in both of her starts, while racking up thirteen strikeouts with the Lobos stellar defense taking care of the rest.
Batting-wise, senior C/2B Kasey Simmons led the pack, hitting 5-for-7 in the two-game sweep, with two RBIs, three doubles, and a homer in the series opener.
This is the furthest either team has advanced in the playoffs, so expect the stands to be filled and the dugouts to be loud when they face off, starting Wednesday, at Cy Ranch High School.
2022-23 Langham Creek Softball
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)