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EVERYTHING ON THE LINE: 2026 UIL Softball State Championship Preview — Lake Creek vs. Brewer, 5A D2
WHERE: Red & Charline McCombs Field -- Austin, TX
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LAKE CREEK LIONS
Evidently, Lake Creek has come to treat McCombs Field as a figurative home away from home. Once again, as May winds down, the Lions find themselves gearing up to compete for another gold trophy.
Not even lightning delays in their recent series against Liberty Hill could slow what felt inevitable, as Lake Creek completed the sweep with an 8-7 win on Saturday after taking Game 1, 9-4, in an 11-inning thriller last Wednesday. The series not only pushed LCHS to a remarkable 39-1 record, but also showed the Lions can win in a variety of ways—not just through their usual brand of dominance.
Now, head coach Candyce Carter and her staff have Lake Creek on the brink of not only repeating, but capturing the program’s fourth state crown in just five seasons.
Lake Creek Sr. RHP Sara Wiggins prepares for a pitch against district rival Montgomery Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
Wichita State-bound pitcher Sara Wiggins is still very much her—a reality underscored by a perfect 32-0 mark in her senior campaign. Meanwhile, the Lake Creek lineup continues to overwhelm, averaging roughly 10 runs per game against opposing pitching staffs.
Between the collective threat of senior Madalyn Davis (North Carolina signee), juniors Annelise Torres and Maci Nowak, and seniors Miranda Orso (McLennan), Laney Galloway (McNeese State), Abby Estay (LSU Eunice), Gracee Brewer (McNeese State), Addie Davis (UT Tyler), and Morgan Winn (Jr. IF), there’s virtually no point at which the lineup lets up.
2025-26 Lake Creek SoftballDana Strange (VYPE)
BREWER BEARS
One of the more enthralling developments of the spring has come out of Fort Worth, where Brewer made its UIL State Tournament debut a week ago. Under head coach Josh Richards, the Lady Bears extended their unprecedented postseason run by decisively sweeping Hallsville, sending a milestone year for White Settlement ISD all the way to Austin.
Brewer (27-9) has flourished despite being underestimated by opponents, leaning on one another and limiting mistakes while staying locked in on the task at hand—traits that have made the Bears a formidable force.
Equally impressive is that this success has come with a comparatively young lineup. While junior Haylie Jimenez (.445 BA, 45 RBI) and seniors Kamren Pride (.370 BA, 36 RBI) and Samantha Aguirre (.410 BA, 34 RBI) have provided a steady veteran presence, sophomore Avery Welch leads the team with an impressive 56 RBIs, while freshman Ava Peña is almost a sure bet to reach base, hitting .531 at the plate.
Continuing the trend of youth-driven contributions and collective effort, the bullpen features sophomores Sylver Orebaugh (10-4) and Cozy Tyson (8-1)—who is equally impactful in the batter’s box—as well as freshman Ella Glover when called upon.
2025-26 Lake Creek Lions Softball
HISTORY IN MOTION: No. 1 Lake Creek needs no introduction in its second Repeat Mission
Simply put, the Lions were an unstoppable force last spring, powering their way through a perfect 37–0 campaign capped by a 12–1 victory over Hallsville in the 5A Division II State Final. The win secured the first state championship under head coach Candyce Carter and the program’s third overall, all within a four-year span.
Now entering her third season at the helm, Carter has a chance to guide Lake Creek to back-to-back titles in Austin, echoing the feat accomplished by legendary coach Michelle Rochinski in 2023. LC certainly has the pieces in place to make it 4-for-5.
Sara Wiggins (Wichita State signee)
Farrah Sheeren (VYPE/Phlox Photography)
Senior pitcher Sara Wiggins is a genuine game-changer when she’s dealing. The Wichita State signee went 21–0 en route to State Tournament MVP, District 17-5A MVP, and THSCA Super Elite Team MVP honors in 2025. With her usual relief, Chesney Davis, now at Texas State, Wiggins enters the season unflinching in the face of adversity.
North Carolina-bound Madalyn Davis (Sr. OF) returns atop Carter’s lineup after hitting roughly .580 last season, a performance that earned her the 17-5A Offensive Player of the Year designation.
She’s joined by a senior class rich in collegiate talent, including Miranda Orso (McLennan), Laney Galloway (McNeese State), Gracee Brewer (McNeese State), Addison Davis (UT-Tyler), and Abby Estay (LSU-Eunice), all of whom are signed to play at the next level. Meanwhile, juniors Maci Nowak and Annelise Torres are also primed to step into expanded roles.
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