GAMES
RANKINGS
THE ROAD ENDS HERE: 2026 UIL Baseball State Championship Preview — Lake Creek vs. Aledo, 5A D1
WHERE: Dell Diamond -- Round Rock, TX
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LAKE CREEK LIONS
It's a historic moment for Lake Creek. Just one week after the school's softball program captured its second consecutive UIL title, the Lions' baseball team is set to make its first-ever appearance on the State stage Friday.
Dell Diamond awaits a Lake Creek (26-17) squad coming off a dramatic, series-saving rally against Rouse in the semifinal round. After dropping Game 1, 7-3, the Lions responded with a 9-6 win in Game 2 before securing a decisive 2-1 victory in the winner-take-all finale to punch their ticket to state.
Beyond embracing the underdog role throughout the postseason, Schramm's squad boasts a lineup capable of changing a game at any point in the order.
LSU-Eunice commit Peyton Trummell (Sr. OF) set a new program single-season home run record (8) less than two weeks ago and most recently delivered a pair of timely RBIs that helped swing the semifinal series against Rouse in Lake Creek's favor.
Fellow seniors Jackson Marshall (UNC Asheville commit) and Reed Newkirk (Army)—both recently selected to the GHBCA All-Star Game alongside Trummell—are hitting well above .300 while patrolling the outfield. The production continues in the infield, where juniors Jaxon Schramm and Aiden Rossano are posting similar numbers, with Schramm leading the Lions at a .374 clip this season.
Meanwhile, Lake Creek's pitching staff thrives on its depth, led by seniors Harper Heathcott (Temple College) and Gavin Nabors (Angelina College), along with junior Kale White and a host of other reliable arms.
2025-2026 Lake Creek Lions BaseballFarrah Sheeren (VYPE)
ALEDO BEARCATS
The Bearcats find themselves right where they left off a year ago, returning to Round Rock with the confidence and magnetism expected of a defending state champion.
Now, head coach Chad Barry and company have their sights set on the program's third state title. Aledo (38-3) secured its place in the season finale with a commanding sweep of McKinney North in last week's semifinal series.
Reigning 5A Division I State MVP Lucas Nawrocki was instrumental in Aledo's return to the championship stage, launching a go-ahead grand slam—his 10th home run of the season—that ultimately sealed Game 2.
The LSU-bound senior has been dominant on both sides of the ball. In addition to hitting north of .500, the left-hander owns an 11-0 record on the mound, cementing his status as one of the state's premier two-way talents.
Aledo's depth extends well beyond its headliner. Junior outfielder Luke Gladchuk (Texas commit) is hitting just under .400 this season, while senior Landon Barnes (Weatherford College), utility standout Wilson Sehnem, and future Murray State Racer Will Cayce help form the foundation of one of the state's most complete rosters.
EVERYTHING ON THE LINE: 2026 UIL Softball State Championship Preview — Barbers Hill vs. Aledo, 5A D1
WHERE: Red & Charline McCombs Field -- Austin, TX
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CLICK HERE TO STAY UPDATED ON ALL OF THE UIL SOFTBALL STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS
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BARBERS HILL EAGLES
It hardly comes as a surprise that Barbers Hill once again finds itself vying for the UIL crown in ATX, given the overflowing talent that makes up head coach Aaron Fuller’s roster. Still, the Eagles have played with something of a chip on their shoulder this spring.
After falling to Melissa (4-2) in last year’s championship game, The Hill has been eager for an opportunity to validate the hype surrounding it with the program’s first title since 2021—when it defeated none other than Aledo, 4-1—and just the second in school history.
That resolve has been evident throughout the season, as the group enters the finale with a pristine 39-5 record. Pair that with last week’s one-sided dispatching of Leander—not to mention the entirety of its postseason run—and it becomes clear why Barbers Hill is ranked among the top teams in the nation by MaxPreps.
Beyond the undeniable talent of pitcher Macie Bryant—an LSU commit with disorienting ball control and a 30-1 mark in the circle this year—and a synchronized defensive effort, it’s the lineup that makes the Eagles so dangerous.
Leadoff hitter Savannah Barrientos (Jr. OF) is a virtual guarantee to reach base, while shortstop Izzy Lawrence (North Carolina commit), third baseman JosLynn Cooper, catcher Zoey Hood, and outfielders AshLynn Cooper (Blinn) and Helena Lawrence each bring a blend of consistency and power that has defined the BH junior class.
Sophomore Madison Ray has also proven to be an invaluable addition to the batting order, finding her best form in the postseason. Barbers Hill’s depth is especially timely given that one of its key hitters, Aybrie Corona, is nursing a knee injury—though her grit could still see her available for at-bats if needed
Barbers Hill advances to the 5A Division 1 State Championship with their sweep against Leander (5/21/2026)Matthew Ogle (VYPE)
ALEDO BEARCATS
Aledo (30-10) made a statement last week, knocking off two-time defending state champion Melissa, 5-4, in a single-game semifinal that felt almost poetic. Under coach Heather Myers, the Bearcats made their third consecutive appearance in the State Tournament and, in the process, flipped the script on the Cardinals—a team that had denied them a trip to McCombs Field a year ago. As a result, Aledo now has the opportunity to capture its fourth overall UIL title and first since the program’s back-to-back championships in 2015.
Like Barbers Hill, the Bearcats have thrived behind an unrelenting offensive output. George Mason-bound senior Kyleigh Pawlak serves as the catalyst, producing MVP-caliber numbers while leading the team in batting average (.423), hits (47), and RBIs (40), along with seven home runs. Senior shortstop Delaney Rosser (Stephen F. Austin signee) consistently sets the table, while junior pitcher Rylee Marx, senior catcher Breleigh Mayer (Brandeis University), and sophomores Tempe Perry and Brooklyn Taloa provide the punch needed to drive runners home.
Perry, who was named the District 5-5A Pitcher of the Year in her freshman campaign, remains the focal point of the defense, showing impressive composure while posting a 16-4 record on the year. Additionally, junior Rylee Marx (10-2) is just as capable in the circle when called upon, while also providing a similarly steady presence in the batter’s box.
