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PACKED HOUSE: Melissa softball continues strong in the playoffs
At Frisco Emerson's softball field on Wednesday evening, you might have thought you made the trek to Melissa instead. With a packed crowd, the team fought for a 2-0 victory over Frisco Wakeland in game one of the regional semifinal round of 5A softball playoffs. VYPE DFW takes a look at the team so far:
With only two losses on the season-- one in non-district play and one in district play-- the Melissa Lady Cardinals have put on a show for their fans this year. Posting several dominant victories in non-district play over the likes of Waxahachie (18-0), Aledo (11-2), Crandall (21-0), Plano East (16-0), Frisco Lone Star (10-0), and more, it was obvious that the Lady Cardinals were bringing something special to the diamond this season.
As the team entered district play, they continued to power over their opponents. Led by Caigan Crabtree, Kennedy Bradley, Lulu Adrian, Amariee Bradford, Emily Johnson, Eloisa Maes, Alex Starr, and other talented athletes, the team showed impressive poise through each game as they secured a first-place finish in their district standings with an 11-1 district record. Melissa's demanding presence on the field and at the plate powered the team to impressive shutout victories including those over Bullard (6-0), Greenville (11-0), Sherman (9-0), Denison (17-0), McKinney North (15-0), and more en route to the playoffs.
Once in the playoffs, Melissa sent home Ennis (15-0) and Huntsville (5-1) before defeating Kingwood Park (7-6, 3-2) in a two-game series last week. This week, their regional semifinal round against Frisco Wakeland began with a bang and a packed house as the team posted a 2-0 victory on Wednesday night:
Standing room only for the @SoftballMelissa vs. @WHSoftball Regional Semi-Final Game. pic.twitter.com/tIJaoKLmBn
— Dr. M•A•C (@iyhiamac) May 15, 2024
With resilience and a tenacity to continue driving forward, fans can expect this Melissa squad to continue on their mission to secure their spot in the next round of the playoffs. Be sure you head out to Frisco Emerson to catch these ladies in action as they take on Frisco Wakeland at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 16th!
DISTRICT PREVIEW: Melissa Football continues domination
As teams across the state begin or continue into district play, VYPE DFW is taking a look at some of the top teams in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. The Melissa Cardinals have been at the top of the list as far as domination on the field goes. Let's take a look at their season so far and what fans can expect as they progress through district play:
So Far
After opening a brand-new stadium, the Melissa Cardinals began their season at home against a tough Argyle squad. Posting a 50-14 week one victory, Melissa set the tone early on. Week two saw the Cardinals go on the road to face off against China Spring. The team came out strong early and pulled away for a 63-33 victory. In their final non-district game of the season, Melissa hosted Royse City for a 39-7 victory in front of their home fans.
Last week, the team opened district play by traveling to Crandall. Facing off against a determined Crandall squad, the Cardinals knew that they could shut down any advances from the Pirates. Putting hard work to the test and showcasing tremendous talent on the field, Melissa opened district play with a 67-28 victory on the road.
What To Expect
Athletes like Landen Brandow, Lincoln Dunn, Nathan Adejokun, Khristian Turner, Jackson Ford, Trever Ham, Gunnar Wilson, Jake Potucek, and others can be expected to continue putting in the work that it takes off the field in order to be successful on the field. Looking at strong leaders who have fire in their hearts, this team is made up of athletes who have big goals for themselves, each other, and the team as a whole.
Next up in district play, Melissa will host Terrell. As the team powers through their district schedule, some of their toughest opponents will include Princeton, Denison, and Lucas Lovejoy. Keeping a watchful eye on this squad, fans can expect a deep playoff run this season.