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Kristyn Whitlock of Pearland Softball
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Here are the UTMB Athletes of the Week.
Gabbie Roundtree, Pearland Softball
Roundtree celebrates her game-tying 3-run HR with her teammates
Photo by Lloyd Hendricks (Hendricks Rockography)
In the bottom of the seventh inning of the Class 6A Regional Finals, Pearland was down 5-8 against Deer Park.
With their hopes of reaching the State Tourney hanging in the balance, pinch-hitter Gabbie Roundtree (Sr. OF) came in the clutch with a 3-run homer to tie the game. Soon after, the Lady Oilers would emerge victorious by a score of 9-8 to punch their ticket to Austin.
Brandon Schirck, Friendswood Track & Field
Friendswood's Brandon Schrick (Left) & Albert Archundia (Right)
Photo acquired via Twitter: @FWoodBoysTrack
Friendswood’s Brandon Schirck had a remarkable showing throughout his team’s Spring campaign. The junior Mustang further evidenced this by taking gold in the Shot Put at the UIL Regional Meet, followed by a second-place finish (59-09.75) at the State Meet. With another year left in his career, expect him to improve upon those stats in 2024.
Albert Archundia, Friendswood Track & Field
Similarly to Schirck, senior Albert Archundia led another outstanding year on Friendswood’s Track & Field team. After finishing second at Regionals, Archundia took bronze at State in the Shot Put event (58-10.00), to cap off an exceptional high school career.
Kristyn Whitlock, Pearland Softball
Whitlock rounds the bases after hitting a solo-homer against Deer Park
Photo by Lloyd Hendricks (Hendricks Rockography)
Pearland’s senior infielder Kristyn Whitlock played an instrumental role in the Lady Oilers’ victory in the Region III Final. The SHSU-signee had a solo homer in the contest, on top of three RBIs--one of which was the walk-off sac-fly to send her team to the State Semifinals. Whitlock will undoubtedly be a key figure in Pearland’s push for a title this weekend.
Friendswood Girls Golf
Photo acquired via Twitter: @FwoodGolf
After winning yet another district championship, the Mustangs Girls Golf team would go on to place third at Regionals--earning them a spot in the UIL State Tournament at Legacy Hills Golf Club in Georgetown. Friendswood ultimately finished ninth-overall against some tough competition, with a composite score of 674, which has set the standard for the young program.
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.