Still standing: 7 Centex softball, baseball diamond squads shine bright in May playoff push

So to the seven Central Texas squads still standing — take a bow. You’ve earned it.

While most of their classmates are focused on prom, graduation, or which river to float once school wraps up, these athletes have other priorities. Four local softball teams are bound for the state tournament, and three baseball teams are chasing regional titles. Their mindsets are in a different place, and there’s nothing better than still playing at this point in the year, with a shot at bringing home some hardware.

SOFTBALL

Jonesboro Lady Eagles

From rookie magic to seasoned contenders, Jonesboro knows both sides of the coin.

The Lady Eagles (11-7), Central Texas’ only returning UIL state champion, captured the Class 1A crown last year in their first-ever trip to the state tournament. Now, they’re back — battle-tested, confident and eyeing a repeat.

It’s no surprise inside the Jonesboro dugout that the Lady Eagles are once again knocking on the door of a title. They lost just one player from last year’s championship roster, returning a core that knows exactly what it takes to win in late May.

Even with the departure of head coach Amanda LeCroy and assistant coach Cody LeCroy, the wife-husband duo who took over at Cisco College after the 2024 season, the Lady Eagles have not lost their identity. If anything, they’ve leaned harder into it.

Catcher Emily Turner, last year’s 1A State Tournament MVP, is back behind the plate and at the heart of it all. Her leadership and clutch play have once again propelled Jonesboro deep into the playoffs.

The Lady Eagles’ road to the state semifinals has included a bi-district series win over Strawn, an area round victory against Abbott, a dominant 21-2 regional semifinal over Blum and a tight 8-7 win against Dodd City in the Region II final.

Awaiting them in the semifinals is Hermleigh (22-3), a high-octane squad that’s outscored its playoff opponents 93-25 over seven games. The Lady Cardinals are aggressive at the plate and built to put up runs in bunches.

Jonesboro and Hermleigh will open the series at 6 p.m. Wednesday. Game 2 between the Lady Eagles and Lady Cardinals will take place at 5 p.m. Saturday, with a tie-breaking third game directly after, if necessary.

All games will be played at Tarleton State University in Stephenville. The winner will face either Brookeland or Leakey in the state championship game.

Riesel Lady Indians

The Lady Indians (26-4-1) are blazing a historic trail, reaching the Class 2A Div. I state semifinals for the first time in program history.

After falling one win shy of state last year, Riesel punched its ticket with a 2-0 regional final sweep over Moody, capped by a pair of home runs from Italian exchange student Sveva Mariotti. The bats have been red-hot throughout the postseason, with Landri Pick, Kyleigh Benton and Lauren Summers all delivering clutch hits, while Benton continues to dominate in the circle.

The playoff road includes sweeps over Itasca, Bosqueville, Whitewright and Moody. Now, Riesel faces Clarendon (29-6-1) in the semifinals at Abilene Christian University, with Game 1 set for 5 p.m. Tuesday. Game 2 is Thursday at 2:30 p.m., with a decisive Game 3 to follow if needed.

The Lady Indians are fueled by a powerful lineup, a gutsy ace and a season-long mission to win it all for head coach Don Johnson, who returned to the dugout in recent weeks after a serious brain injury earlier this season.

The winner of the Riesel-Clarendon series will play the victor of the Corrigan-Camden and Ganado series in the Class 2A Div. I state championship.

Midway Pantherettes

The heartbreak still lingers, but Midway’s hunger is louder than ever.

A year removed from one of the most gut-wrenching losses in Texas high school softball history — surrendering an 11-9 walk-off defeat in the 6A state final after leading Weslaco 9-3 in the seventh — the Pantherettes (29-2) are back with unfinished business.

Midway stormed through its Region II bracket, gutting out back-to-back 1-0 wins over Conroe in the regional final. Although under a different playoff format, the Pantherettes have now punched a return ticket to the Class 6A Div. I state semifinals, determined to rewrite the ending.

Sophomore pitcher Peyton Philipp has emerged as the postseason ace. After helping Crawford reach the 2A state final last season, she’s now carrying Midway on a similar ride. Her back-to-back gems against Conroe, including a complete-game shutout in Game 2, showed poise well beyond her years.

Midway’s offense, while not as explosive as last season’s, remains efficient and clutch. Baylor signee Harper Haas and MCC-bound slugger Jayden Sadler bring power and leadership, while contributors such as Amaya Locke and Kallei Alvarado have delivered in key moments. Locke’s sixth-inning RBI single in Game 2 of the regional final was the difference-maker that sent Midway through.

Head coach Jordan Williams says the sting of last year’s loss still fuels this group — none more than senior Lanee Brown, who has taken that defeat personally and helped rally the team through extra-inning thrillers and tight wins this postseason.

Midway will face Flower Mound (24-7-1) in their series opener at 6 p.m. Thursday. Game 2 is set for 2:30 p.m. Friday, with a decisive Game 3 scheduled for 4 p.m. Saturday, if needed.

All games will be played at Midlothian High School

The winner will advance to the state final against either Clear Springs or East Central.

Robinson Rockets

Ranked as high as No. 2 in Class 4A this season, Robinson has rocketed through the playoffs behind a relentless lineup and a battle-tested arm in Raelynn Van Zee.

The Rockets (33-2) opened the year at No. 10 but have looked like title contenders ever since, improving on last season’s 32-9 record behind heavy hitters Lexi Rosillo and Kaygen Marshall. Marshall, who tied the Central Texas single-season home run record last year with 22 bombs, helped power Robinson to the Region III crown once again — but not before Rosillo broke that very record in thrilling fashion.

In a jaw-dropping 13-12 walk-off win over Salado in Game 1 of the Region III final, Robinson rallied for five runs in the bottom of the seventh inning, punctuated by back-to-back home runs from Rosillo and Marshall and a daring dash to the plate by pinch-runner Abigail Sepluveda to seal the comeback.

Rosillo’s two-run shot was her 23rd of the year, eclipsing the record previously shared by Marshall and former Midway slugger Tristian Thompson. Van Zee also delivered a grand slam in the second inning and pitched a 162-pitch complete game in the circle.

Head coach Jimmy Eby summed it up simply, saying the motto all year is that “Rockets never quit.”

Robinson has swept every playoff round so far, including bi-district wins over Georgetown Gateway, a dominant offensive display against Sealy and a tightly contested series with Shepherd.

Against Salado, the Rockets stayed composed under pressure to punch their ticket to the state tournament with a 4-2 road win in Game 2.

Robinson will face Ingleside (29-10) in a Class 4A Div. II state semifinal series at the Northside ISD complex in San Antonio. Game 1 is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, with Game 2 set for 6:30 p.m. Thursday. If necessary, Game 3 will be played at 1 p.m. Saturday.

The winner of the Robinson-Ingleside series will face Snyder or Aubrey in the Class 4A Div. II state championship game.

BASEBALL

China Spring Cougars

The China Spring Cougars (33-4) know the feel of late May, early June baseball.

They’ve played under the lights of Round Rock, hoisted a state championship trophy just two years ago, and carried the weight of defending that title throughout a 32-win campaign in 2024.

But don’t mistake familiarity for complacency — this team is hungry to return to the top.

One year removed from a stinging regional final exit, the Cougars are back in the same round, wiser from the experience and ready for redemption.

“When we won the state championship two years ago, and we knew last year we had the team to do it again and we didn’t in the regional finals,” head coach Cory Beckham said. “We were beat by a team that was really good, but in our minds we were a little better than them. When you feel like you dropped the ball and you didn’t get the job done, the amount of ‘want to’ and ‘we can’t wait to get back to the same point’ — that’s where we are today. The opportunity to make up for that last year, it’s a driving force for all of us. We want more.”

Few teams in Central Texas play with the dual identity China Spring has perfected of part power, part precision. The Cougars can overwhelm you with barrels and big flies, then turn around and manufacture runs with drag bunts, double steals and first-and-third pressure. They’ve averaged nearly 10 runs per game over the past 25 games, adapting their style to whatever the game demands.

Senior first baseman Dean Hannah is the engine behind much of that offensive versatility. The school’s new all-time leader in doubles has been seeing beach balls at the plate lately, and he pounded two home runs and a double with six RBIs in Game 1 of their regional semifinal series against Bullard, then drawing walks and delivering timely knocks in the clincher.

But Hannah’s not alone. China Spring’s depth and discipline have proven just as valuable. Hudson Brown, Jacob Klement and Garrett Maddox have wreaked havoc with their legs, while Dillon Bowers and Greyson Brooks have quietly turned into RBI machines in key spots. Meanwhile, sophomore ace Jackson Fetters continues to pitch with a maturity beyond his years, navigating trouble and trusting his stuff.

“We have five starters that are seniors that played on the state championship team in 2023, they were sophomores,” Beckham said. “Four of them were pretty much full-time starters. One of them got some playing time but was a big part of the team. So, for those guys to help lead our team right now, and the things that they went through, it makes life easier for us.”

Next up for the Cougars is Lumberton (27-9-1) in the Region III final, with a trip to the state tournament on the line. China Spring and Lumberton will meet at 6 p.m. Thursday and 4:30 p.m. Friday.

A tiebreaker would follow Friday’s contest, should the teams split the first two outings.

Midway Panthers

Midway has surged into the Region II finals on the backs of a deep senior core and a pitching staff that’s answered the call every step of the way. The Panthers have pieced together a 26-7 record with statement wins over Duncanville, Rockwall-Heath and Conroe, pushing head coach Eddie Cornblum’s squad to new postseason heights in his ninth season at the helm.

While Midway graduated ace Cam Johnson to McLennan Community College, the Panthers haven’t missed a beat. There are studs all over the field, from senior Louisiana-Monroe signee Garrett Wiethorn, Odessa College signee David Little, MCC signee Brady Quinn and McMurry signee Dru Ohmstede to Baylor signee TJ Woodson.

The Panthers swept Duncanville and Rockwall-Heath to open the playoffs. Then they took care of Conroe. Now comes another test.

Midway will face Klein Cain (21-7-3) in a Class 6A Div. I Region II final series beginning at 6 p.m. Thursday at Texas A&M’s Blue Bell Park. Game 2 will be at 1 p.m. Friday at Baylor Ballpark, with a potential Game 3 scheduled for 1 p.m. Saturday at Jersey Village.

The winner advances to face either Prosper or Keller in the state semifinals.

Whitney Wildcats

The Whitney Wildcats (16-10) are in uncharted territory, advancing to the Region III finals for the first time in program history.

After getting past Maypearl in the bi-district round and Fairfield in the area round, the Wildcats outlasted Orangefield in a three-game regional semifinal. Mason Seely, Mason Pelham and a balanced offense helped punch Whitney’s historic ticket to the regional final, where they’ll face Huntington (28-7-1) in a best-of-three series starting at 7 p.m. Thursday in Athens.

Game 2 is scheduled for 6 p.m. Saturday, with the third game, if necessary, set to follow. The winner of the Whitney-Huntington series will face Falfurrias or Corpus Christi London in the state semifinals.