HOUSTON HIGH SCHOOL SOFTBALL

It was only a matter of time before one of Crosby’s premier competitors on the diamond, Ally Mooneyham, would secure her spot on a college team.

After spending nine years with a Class 5A powerhouse, the Friendswood Mustangs, coach Christa Williams-Yates will be taking her talents to the Mustangs of Kingwood High, heading into next season.

The 2022-23 school year has further proven what a juggernaut the Houston Episcopal athletics program is in the Southwest Preparatory Conference.

The bi-district round of the 2023 UIL playoffs did not disappoint. In the process of various must-watch Bi-District matchups, the number of teams in the UIL tournament has been cut in half. Fortunately for the Houston area, dozens of local ball clubs still remain.

The opening round of the UIL Softball playoffs has come and gone. After an exhilarating series of Bi-District matchups, several big names showcased the talent that the Houston area has come to expect throughout the year.

Over the years, the State Title for Texas High School Softball has come through Houston. Some of the best in H-Town lace them up vying for their respective Regional title. Region III will be a bloodbath with Katy, Pearland and Ridge Point are the favorites for a State run, while The Woodlands, Klein Collins and Bridgeland will be names to watch in Region II.

At long last, the UIL Softball postseason has arrived. Can anyone take down Lake Creek High School? Barbers Hill, Foster and Friendswood will give it their best shot as other Class 5A favorites. Following a volatile regular season which showcased the best in H-Town as well as some surprise clubs advancing to playoff contention, the road to the State Title starts now.

THE MACARTHUR GENERALS HAVE REACHED THE POSTSEASON FOR 16 YEARS IN A ROW AND ARE THE UNDISPUTED QUEENS OF ALDINE ISD SOFTBALL.

The St. John XXIII softball team plays a fun brand of softball. VYPE caught up with the Lions as they faced Frassati in the Lions' Den.

The Eisenhower senior has created quite a resume. She was named first-team, all-district for her play on the volleyball court this Fall. During the Spring, she puts on her spikes for the Eagles’ softball.

FOLLOWING GEORGE RANCH SOFTBALL’S IMPRESSIVE PERFORMANCE LAST SEASON, IN WHICH THEY FINISHED SECOND IN THE DISTRICT EN ROUTE TO AN APPEARANCE IN THE UIL 6A REGIONAL QUARTERFINALS, THE LONGHORNS ARE RETURNING TO THE DIAMOND TO PUSH THEIR PROGRAM FURTHER INTO THE PLAYOFF RACE.

Never count out The Woodlands Highlander softball. After starting off district play with an 0-4 record, the Highlanders defied expectations and flipped the script to win 11 consecutive district games, clinching a playoff spot in the process.

With the sound of the final buzzer echoing across the pitch, tears began to fill the eyes of numerous Ridge Point’s players. Fort Bend Ridge Point (23-0-5) faced the Flower Mound Marcus (24-1-1) on Saturday afternoon, and it was a true game of possession.

The softball regular season is rounding third and heading for home as the playoff picture is coming into focus. Everyone is playing for second in the VYPE Public School Top 20 as Lake Creek has won 71 straight games – the UIL State record. The Lions will be the favorites in Class 5A, but the classification is loaded with talent.

GOOSE CREEK MEMORIAL SOFTBALL RETURNS TO THE DIAMOND THIS SPRING WITH THE INTENTION OF RECLAIMING ITS STATUS AS A CONTENDER IN A CHALLENGING DISTRICT THAT FEATURES THE LIKES OF PERENNIAL POWERHOUSES BARBERS HILL, PORT NECHES GROVES AND CROSBY.

The seven-time State Champions, FBCA Softball is entering the second half of the Spring season with one mission in mind. Bring back the title. After the 2022 season, which saw the Eagles finish as a TAPPS-II State Finalist (fell to Legacy Christian), second-year coach Kelli Jacoby’s group has returned to the diamond with the ambition to go back to Arlington. Only this time they don’t intend to leave empty-handed.

VYPE caught up with Erika Scott Head Coach of MacArthur Softball at the VYPE Aldine ISD Spring Media Day about the new season and more!

The Lions won the program’s first-ever State Title and Ava Brown was named the Gatorade Texas Player of the Year. She signed with Florida after registering an immaculate 0.46 ERA and 335 strikeouts last season.

Deer Park has been one of the strongest softball programs in the Greater Houston Area for the past few years. In 2021, the Deer won the program’s third State title and returned to Austin again in 2022.

The Katy Tigers have made the Regional Semifinals in back-to-back seasons heading into 2023. Led by legendary coach Kalum Haack, who enters his 25th season at Katy and his 36th overall as a head coach, the Tigers could make another deep run in 2023.

Following last year’s dominant season in which the Cardinals were undefeated district champs, there is no reason why a repeat isn’t in order. Throw in the fact that the majority of the previous roster remains, Bridge City is a Regional favorite.

The Woodlands was just one series victory away from punching their ticket to Austin a year ago. This was the Highlanders' first trip to the Regional Finals since 2017 and now they will try and punch through and reach the State Tournament for the first time since 2015.

Barbers Hill entered the 2022 season as the defending Class 5A State Champions after winning the program’s first-ever crown in 2021 and was even crowned the National Champions by MaxPreps.

THE WIND UP: VYPE Softball Rankings, No. 12 Jersey Village Falcons

Houston Christian softball returns to the diamond this spring, fresh off the heels of finishing in the No. 4 spot of the SPC Conference a year ago.

THE WIND UP: VYPE Softball Rankings, No. 15 Atascocita Eagles

THE WIND UP: VYPE Softball Rankings, No. 16 Langham Creek Lobos

THE WIND UP: VYPE Softball Rankings, No. 17 Kingwood Park Panthers

THE WIND UP: VYPE Softball Rankings, No. 18 Alvin Yellowjackets

THE WIND UP: VYPE Softball Rankings, No. 20 Grand Oaks Grizzlies

THE LAKE CREEK LIONS WENT 38-0 IN 2021, BEFORE RUNNING INTO THE BARBERS HILL BUZZ-SAW IN THE REGIONAL FINALS. THE EAGLES SWEPT THE LIONS IN AN INSTANT CLASSIC SERIES AND EVENTUALLY WON THE CLASS 5A STATE TITLE.

The Prospectus

No. 5 Lutheran South Academy Pioneers

Lutheran South Academy Pioneers softball returns to action this Thursday with high expectations for their new season.

Second Baptist School softball is returning to the diamond with the intention of maintaining its state title-threatening reputation.

HOUSTON - When Michelle Rochinski fills out her lineup card for Lake Creek softball in the spring for the first time, she will have the luxury of penciling in not just one but multiple college-level caliber players into it.

HOUSTON - Evany Gonzalez can't even count how many nights and days she went out and got reps on the diamond. It was "non-stop" work in hopes of one day achieving her goal.

HOUSTON - Since Kasidi Pickering was four years old she has put the work in on the softball diamond.

The Softball season is over, and the championships have been won! Now it's time for the fans to speak!

AUSTIN - Amy Vidal-Bush likes an underdog.

AUSTIN - They just knew that this was their year.

AUSTIN – After sitting in a dugout for two hours watching the rain drizzle onto the tarp covering Red & Charline McCombs Field, Liberty could have let that kill their momentum.

HOUSTON – Every team is taking it one pitch and one game at a time.

HOUSTON – As Brandy Mardis stood on the field, watching her team run together and celebrate on the infield, the Second Baptist School softball coach was finally able to take a deep breath.

Lake Creek can pitch, hit, run and has a lot of fun

HOUSTON - It is a bit of a superstitious rule of thumb that while a no-hitter is happening, you don't mention that a no-hitter is happening, especially to the pitcher.

In the circle, Kennedy is 8-0 with 111 strikeouts and just seven walks with no runs in 55 innings. Sophomore Ava Brown has also been crushing it, hitting .609 with 29 RBIs, 10 doubles, and seven home runs. Ad1)Lake Creek Lions (24-0, 7-0) (Prev. 7)2)Barbers Hill Eagles (25-2, 7-0) (Prev. 4)8)Magnolia West (18-4, 7-0) (Prev.

There is a photo that hangs in the Fort Bend Christian Academy field house that includes Sarah Stubbs. In it, Stubbs is standing at the end of the line of players during the National Anthem before a game. In that photo, Stubbs was in the third grade as a ball girl for the softball team. Now, in 2021, Stubbs is a senior on that very team looking to bring another state championship back to FBCA. VYPE caught up with the former ball girl and current senior at the Spring Media day to learn more about what it meant to her to be a ball girl and what she tells the current ball girls today.

It will be a Hodge family affair at Fort Bend Christian Academy softball games this and even next spring. Hadley Hodge has arrived at the high school level. Due to their age difference, coming up through select softball the Hodge sisters never found themselves on the same team. Now, in 2021, that is all changed with them both in high school at Fort Bend Christian Academy. Learn more about the Hodge sisters in this VYPE Campus feature.

THE INFLUENCER: Barbers Hill's Landry beast on the mound; famous on Tik TokSamantha Landry single-handedly pulled VYPE (@vype_texas001) into the Tik Tok World. She's pretty chill, honestly, and reluctantly posted a Tik Tok a while back. Everyone is into Tik Tok and it's just something everyone has in common. AdShe likes Tik Tok star Charli D'Amilio, of course, and finds inspiration sometimes from a guy "Nate in the Army". "Charli has a great presence on Tik Tok and Nate has helped me get through some personal stuff and is just inspiring," she said.

Lutheran South Academy has confidence and why shouldn't they? The Pioneers haven't soon forgotten about the magical 2019 season, which gave them their second title in five years. As Nicole Andrade eyes her fourth year as head coach at LSA with seven starters back, the confidence is there. Coach Andrade believes the lessons they learned from the 2020 season being taken away have made them stronger together as a unit heading into 2021. AdCLICK HERE TO PURCHASE 2021 VYPE BASEBALL/SOFTBALL MAGAZINECLICK HERE TO PURCHASE 2021 VYPE BASEBALL/SOFTBALL PHOTOSCLICK HERE TO VIEW FULL DIGITAL MAGAZINE

Richard Perez's squad was in the big dance two years ago, playing for the TAPPS Division III State title. TWCA fell short but would have been a solid contender to get back in 2020, after suffering only one loss in '19. Ashley Darilek returns for her junior season but will make the move from shortstop to catcher. Other players to watch include Mackenzie Morris, who brings a big bat to the lineup and will play shortstop, and Aubrey Hollas, who returns after taking a year off. CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE 2021 VYPE BASEBALL/SOFTBALL MAGAZINECLICK HERE TO PURCHASE 2021 VYPE BASEBALL/SOFTBALL PHOTOSCLICK HERE TO VIEW FULL DIGITAL MAGAZINE

Heading into the 2021 season, VYPE decided to rank its Top 21 prospects in both baseball and softball in the Greater Houston area. Here are the Top 21 softball players as ranked by VYPE heading into the spring. 1 Sophia Simpson, Barbers Hill (Texas)2 Turiya Coleman, C.E. King (Oklahoma)3 Koko Wooley, La Porte (Texas A&M)4 Mya Holmes, Texas City (Texas)5 Samantha Landry, Barbers Hill (UL at Lafayette)6 Katie Cimusz, Atascocita (Texas)7 Kennedy Powell, Conroe (UCLA)8 Olivia Johnson, Pearland Dawson (Washington)9 Mia Scott, Angleton (Texas)10 Kayden Henry, Dickinson11 Ja'Naiya Thomas, Cypress Creek (Houston)12 Demi Elder, Clear Springs (Texas Tech)13 Emiley Kennedy, Lake Creek (Texas A&M)14 Kasidi Pickering, Atascocita15 Sa'Mya Jones, Pearland Dawson16 Emma Strood, Clear Springs (LSU)17 Avery Hodge, Fort Bend Christian Academy (Oklahoma)18 Gabby Leach, The Woodlands19 Alannah Leach, The Woodlands20 Brianna Ellis, Memorial (Auburn)21 Cameryn Harrison, KatyAdCLICK HERE TO PURCHASE 2021 VYPE BASEBALL/SOFTBALL MAGAZINECLICK HERE TO PURCHASE 2021 VYPE BASEBALL/SOFTBALL PHOTOSCLICK HERE TO VIEW FULL DIGITAL MAGAZINE

Second Baptist School enters this season with six starters returning for Brandy Mardis' team. Once basketball season is over, Leyla Ertan will make her way over to the field. The Lady Broncos are young as juniors Amanda Pollock (P), Annelise Shaw (Utility), and sophomore catcher Alyson Griffith will star for the team. He will have some star power as rising recruit Victoria Hunter and UTSA-signee Emily Dear return for the Panthers in 2021. CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE 2021 VYPE BASEBALL/SOFTBALL MAGAZINECLICK HERE TO PURCHASE 2021 VYPE BASEBALL/SOFTBALL PHOTOSCLICK HERE TO VIEW FULL DIGITAL MAGAZINE

No, we are not asking if you want cheese on your No. 1 from Whataburger. Instead, saying to smile for the camera. Houston softball stars got to experience the bright lights at the recent VYPE Houston Softball Photoshoot presented by Whataburger. Click here to visit your local Whataburger and make sure to check out #WhataSnap.

What a night it was as the VYPE Awards presented by Houston Methodist Orthopedics & Sports Medicine were held virtually on Sunday. VYPE caught up with recent Hall of Fame inductee Deer Park softball coach Carrie Austgen just before the award show. While she is well-known for winning two state titles at Deer Park in 2012 and 2014, there's much more to the story. She reached state three times at Deer Park and once at Brazoswood. Houston Methodist serves as the official health care provider for the Houston Texans, Houston Astros, Rice Athletics, Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, Houston Ballet, Houston Symphony and Houston Grand Opera.

There are so many great athletes in Pasadena ISD. VYPE highlights five athletes from the Padadena ISD softball diamond in this edition of The Stars of Pasadena ISD powered by Texas Citizens Bank. Anabella Valadez, Pasadena MemorialWhile the season was just getting started, Pasadena Memorial was trying to again dominate the district. This content is brought to you by Texas Citizens BankTexas Citizens Bank is a Houston community bank dedicated to concierge banking for owner-managed businesses. Learn how Texas Citizens Bank can help you grow your business at TexasCitizensBank.com.