GAMES
RANKINGS
The Bridgeland team sings their school alma mater after winning the Region II FInal
EXTRA INNINGS: Bridgeland is State-Bound after an instant classic; photo gallery
However, the finale between the two powerhouses was where Bridgeland had the opportunity to truly show their mettle.
Matthew Ogle (VYPE)
Haylie Stum (Sr. OF/P)
Langham Creek took an early 2-0 lead in the second inning of game three, when senior 3B Trinity Allen would respond with an RBI-double to make the score 2-1, which would remain the score until the final inning.
The Lobos gave Bridgeland a scare in the bottom of inning No. 6, with two runners on base and no outs, but junior right-hander Sydney Jackson had things under control.
Bridgeland's Sydney JacksonMatthew Ogle (VYPE)
“I have a tendency to just block out everything,” Jackson said. “I just focus on me and Lilli--pitcher and catcher relationship--and I just have to settle myself down a little bit. I have to take my time and really think about what I want to do.”
Jackson showed tremendous composure under pressure, striking out the next three batters to keep their deficit at one run, giving Bridgeland one last chance to keep their season alive in the seventh.
Bridgeland Softball is STATE-BOUNDwww.youtube.com
Senior OF Mia Landry came in the clutch with a base hit and subsequent steal to get into scoring position. With one out on the board, Rylie Marquart (So. IF) would hit a sac-fly to allow Landry to tag in from third-base to eventually bring the game into extra-innings.
Bridgeland would proceed to take the lead in the eighth, via a sac-fly hit by Haylie Stum, and ultimately secure their spot in the State Tournament by a score of 3-2--sending the team and the crowd into an uproar on the field.
Matthew Ogle (VYPE)
“It’s unbelievable to have made it this fair,” said Jackson. “We’ve been working so hard, and our team chemistry has just put us in this position to go to the next level.”
McLennan-signee Trinity Allen concurred with that sentiment
Bridgeland's Trinity Allen Matthew Ogle (VYPE)
“What makes this team special is our chemistry,” she said. “It’s also our ability to bounce back through any adversity. We trust one another, we trust our coaches, and having our fans as a support system really helps us to achieve that.”
Bridgeland did have plenty of support in the stands for the subsequent matches--with some fans even clad in fruit-themed attire. The fanbase will soon be following the team to Austin, where they will compete for a state championship.
Matthew Ogle (VYPE)
For the seniors on the team--who already graduated last week--these last few moments together are essentially the “extra-innings” of their high school career.
“It’s such a blessing and it is so exciting to still be playing with these girls,” said fellow McLennan-signee Lilli Piersons. “Beyond our extended time--we just love each other so much. It’s so exciting that we don’t really ever get tired of each other.”
Bridgeland's Lilli PiersonMatthew Ogle (VYPE)
The State Semis begin this Friday at Red & Charline McCombs Field, where Bridgeland will face Denton Guyer.
Expect the Bears to make the most of it, as they aim to cap off their historic season with some hardware.
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REGIONAL FINALS STANDOUTS
Sydney Jackson (Jr. RHP): 2.00 ERA, 26 Ks, 3 CG
Haylie Stum (Sr. OF/P): 4 RBI, R, HR
Lilli Piersons (Sr. C): .600 BA, 4 R, RBI, HR
Trinity Allen (Sr. 3B): 2-4, RBI in Game 3
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)