GAMES
RANKINGS
Emma King of Clear Springs Softball
THE OPENING STAGE: Must-see matchups in Round 1 of Softball Playoffs
Here are just some of the more pivotal clashes in store for audiences, as the playoffs begin this week.
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Alvin Yellowjackets vs. Clear Brook Wolverines
Doug Brown (VYPE)
The Yellowjackets enter the postseason as one of the top clubs in H-Town.
After finishing right behind Pearland in the District 23-6A standings, Alvin currently maintains a record of 25-4 and seems poised for a deep run in the playoffs.
Coach Kelly Bembry certainly has plenty of talent to work with on her roster.
Senior pitcher Matti Matthews (North Texas-signee) has performed brilliantly from the mound, having eclipsed 300 career strikeouts a month ago and has an uncanny repertoire alongside her catcher Abby Ptak (Boston College).
Their lineup is just as effective, with Kamryn De Leon, Kiley Huffman, and Rebekah Cavazos leading the way.
Don't count out Clear Brook just yet, though. They have some have heavy-hitters of their own.
Texas-signee Lien Brister is as elite as they come, with an exceptional stat-line (0.466 BA, 32 RBIs, 38 R, 9 HR) to back that claim.
She's complemented efficiently by Miranda Carroll, Estrella Rowe, and Ahiza Garcia.
Following their third-place finish in District 24-6A, coach Katy Cave and the Wolverines will look to keep their season alive when their series against Alvin begins this Thursday.
GAME 1: Thursday (6:30 pm) @ Clear Brook HS
GAME 2: Friday (6:30 pm) @ Alvin HS
GAME 3 (If needed): Saturday (6:30 pm) @ Santa Fe HS
Doug Brown (VYPE)
Clear Springs Chargers vs. Dawson Eagles
Justin Hartojo (VYPE)
After claiming silver in District 24-6A, Clear Springs (19-8) looks to keep their hot-streak intact when they take to their home field against Dawson on Thursday.
Under the direction of head coach Jennifer Knight, the Chargers' base-hitting has been outstanding, with the offense scoring over 200 runs on the season, thus far.
Erianna Garcia and Emma King (Wisconsin-signee) have been the center-pieces of the team's talented lineup, as they are currently batting for 0.488 and 0.439, respectively.
Additionally, the bull-pen -- headlined by Jenna Hashaw (2.10 ERA, 65 Ks) and Beth Ann Johnston (2.62 ERA, 50 Ks) -- has been equally essential to Clear Springs' success.
On the Dawson side, the Eagles (19-7-1) are coming off a third-place finish in a district that features fellow contenders Pearland and Alvin.
Their defense has been clicking on all cylinders, thanks in large part to senior pitcher Cara Pitman (Houston Christian-signee), who surpassed 300 career strikeouts a week ago.
Batting-wise, Dawson's features the talents of Emily Mullen, Caroline Roth, and Evey Dieudonne, among others.
Both of these teams were well-within our top-20 6A teams entering the playoffs, so it will be interesting to see how this matchup plays out.
GAME 1: Thursday (6:30 pm) @ Clear Springs HS
GAME 2: Friday (6:30 pm) @ Dawson HS
GAME 3 (If needed): Saturday (6:30 pm) @ Dawson HS
Doug Brown (VYPE)
Crosby Cougars vs. Manvel Mavericks
Justin Hartojo (VYPE)
Crosby (27-6; 11-2 in district) returns to the postseason on the heels of placing second in a district that features the likes of softball heavy-weights, Barbers Hill and Port Neches-Groves, which also makes them one of the top teams in all of Class 5A.
The Troy Fox-led Cougars are propelled by the talents of Ally Mooneyham (Nicholls State-signee), Morgan Lloyd (Wichita State), Kaelin Hicks (San Jacinto), Bell Land (Bossier Parish CC), and Brylee Holmes (Oklahoma Wesleyan).
After reaching the Area Round in 2023, Crosby will look to repeat that effort and more when they face off against an equally-talented Manvel team.
Speaking of which, the Mavs (20-10-1; 8-4 in district) are in the midst of an exemplary turn-around season, as they narrowly missed out on the playoffs a year ago.
Coach Alex Meng has an arsenal of weapons to utilize, beginning with senior pitcher Ryley Nihart.
The Northwestern State-signee has been phenomenal from the mound, with a record of 18-5, an ERA of 1.06, and a ridiculous 238 strikeouts to boot.
On the batting side, Manvel is bolstered by junior catcher Jaylie Miller (0.446 BA, 35 RBIs, 11 HR), Skylar Frederick (0.393 BA, 19 RBIs, 5 HR), and Carley Williams (0.379 BA, 10 RBIs, 1 HR).
This could be the most vital series in the Bi-District round, so it's one you won't want to miss.
GAME 1: Friday (5:30 pm) @ Manvel HS
GAME 2: Saturday (11:00 am) @ Crosby HS
GAME 3 (If needed): Saturday (After Game 2) @ Crosby HS
CLICK HERE TO KEEP UP WITH THE UIL SOFTBALL PLAYOFF BRACKETS
LSA's Roland Aguillon
THE PLAYMAKERS: Eclipsing the competition powered by UTMB Health
Here are the UTMB Athletes of the Month, as the Winter season wraps up, and we move forward into Spring.
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Jaylie Miller, Manvel Softball
Photo provided by Jaylie Miller (@JaylieMiller)
As they begin to wrap up the second half of their schedule, the Mavericks are one currently of the hottest teams in Class 5A.
Under the direction of coach Alex Meng, Manvel currently boasts a record of 18-8-1, with six of those wins coming from key district matchups.
While they look to close out the regular season with a bang, and prepare for an imminent playoff appearance, Jaylie Miller will be the spark who ignites it.
The junior catcher has been instrumental at the plate, as she currently maintains a 0.476 average, with 33 RBIs, 10 home runs, and 11 runs scored on the year, thus far.
Her defensive play has proven to be just as vital for the Mavs, which will undoubtedly come into play once the postseason comes around.
Tony Barcelona, Pearland Baseball
Photo provided by Tony Barcelona (@TonyBarcelona7)
After reaching the state tournament a year ago, Pearland has not skipped a beat in reloading their championship-caliber roster.
While the likes of Nico Partida, Jordan Hernandez, Damian Landry, and Isaiah Castañeda headline a star-studded Oilers lineup, the team's pitching has played lights out all Spring.
Speaking of which, senior RHP Tony Barcelona has been one of coach David Rogers' key pieces from the bullpen.
In nine games, Barcelona has allowed just one earned run, bringing his his ERA to a ridiculous 0.42 in 2024.
With Alief Hastings, Strake Jesuit, and Alief Taylor remaining in their district schedule, Pearland appears to be the favorite to claim the District 23-6A title once again, prior to a likely deep run in the playoffs.
Emma King, Clear Springs Softball
Justin Hartojo (VYPE)
The Chargers (18-7; 7-2 in district) has gradually climbed the ranks on the Texas high school softball scene, thanks to their clutch performances against some tough district opponents.
As it stands, Clear Springs is second, only to Brazoswood (8-0) in District 24-6A. But, as any softball fan knows, the playoffs are where it really counts, and that stage is certainly within the team's reach.
Coach Jennifer Knight has an arsenal of weapons to work with on the diamond -- primarily Erianna Garcia, Jalise Martinez, and Eryn Polite.
However, the distinction of being one of the program's main-stays has to go to senior outfielder Emma King.
The Wisconsin-signee is currently hitting for 0.427, with 32 hits, 13 RBIs, and a team-high 35 runs scored, which has proven to be a genuine difference-maker throughout the Spring.
With the playoffs quickly approaching, King is certainly one to keep an eye on.
Roland Aguillon, Lutheran South Academy Baseball
Justin Hartojo (VYPE)
With the regular season wrapping up, LSA is looking nearly unstoppable.
The Pioneers (21-5) currently sit at the top of our rankings list, and for good reason. Their bats have been on fire, which makes them a nightmare for any opposing pitcher.
However, the same can be said for the team's pitching, and none have been more effective on the mound than Roland Aguillon (San Jacinto-signee).
The senior right-hander has been throwing the ball in the high-80s to low-90s, which includes an array of off-speed pitches that makes him that much more unpredictable against the opponents' lineup.
Lutheran South has their sights set on reclaiming their 2021 TAPPS state championship form, and if Aguillon's performance has been any indication thus far, the Pioneers have the arms capable of doing so.
Mayson Garrett, Angleton Softball
Photo acquired via Twitter (@GarrettMayson)
Considering they narrowly fell to Barbers Hill in the opening round of last year's postseason, Angleton has been on something of a "revenge tour" throughout 2024.
Suffice it to say, coach Cindy Rubio and company have made a statement throughout their district campaign, as they currently hold a record of 21-7 and seems poised to claim the District 18-5A title, despite contending with formidable opponents such as Friendswood and Manvel.
The chief weapon for the Wildcats is, without a doubt, senior Mayson Garrett, who has already put up some MVP-caliber numbers (0.443 BA, 34 RBIs, 10 HRs, and 27 runs scored).
The Texas State-signee should provide Angleton with the extra fire-power needed to surpass last year's mark and beyond.