The Tigers had consistently ranked among the state’s top-10 programs and entered the matchup with high expectations. Early on, they looked the part, jumping out to a 2-0 lead in the second inning.
Clear Springs answered with a run of their own, only for Katy to extend the margin to 4-1 by the fourth.
But the Chargers never blinked.
By the bottom of the sixth, Clear Springs had clawed back to tie the game 4-4. Katy responded in the top of the seventh, reclaiming the lead at 5-4.
With two runners on and just one out left, Clear Springs needed a spark.
They got it — in dramatic fashion.
Senior Eryn Polite stepped to the plate and delivered a clutch three-run walk-off home run, sealing a stunning 7-5 victory and completing the team’s remarkable comeback.
“I was just looking for my pitch,” said Polite. “I trained all week for it. I was just ready at that moment — ready to swing for my team, and I’m just grateful it worked out for us in the end.”
With the win, Clear Springs improved to 22-6 and advanced to the 6A-D1 Region III Final — the deepest playoff run for the program since 2021, when they made it five rounds deep.
Head Coach Jennifer Knight was beaming after the game.
“I have no words to describe what just happened,” Knight said. “I’m just so proud of them and the fight that they had. She (Polite) has just been hitting the ball so well lately. We always have a chance when she’s at the plate — and that’s all I know.”
Next up: Clear Springs will face Atascocita later this week for a spot in the UIL State Tournament — a milestone the Chargers have never reached.
If recent performances are any indication, this next series could be another classic.
For Credit, the consistency the staff showed throughout his recruitment really helped the Jayhawks land his commitment.
“From the first day after they offered me at their camp last June they have never stopped showing me interest,” Credit said. “Coach Leipold and the whole coaching staff constantly reached out everyday and showed me love which really stuck with me. You see what they’re building in the 2026 class with the guys they’re going after and the commits they have now and it’s something I wanted to be a part of and experience.”
Credit went on his official visit to Kansas back in early April and the Jayhawks really impacted his decision further than the relationships that were built.
“When I went up on my visit I got to see the new facilities and renovations they’re doing to the stadium,” he said. “Seeing future of the program and the upgrades in their facilities really got me excited and made me feel like this is the place I want to play.”
Credit is now the third player at Pearland on the defensive side of the ball to commit and with his commitment done ahead of his senior year, the talented linebacker is ready to help Pearland have a big year in his final season as an Oiler.
“I feel like our 2026 class is one of the best classes to come out of Pearland ever,” he said. “I feel like we’ve set a good example for the younger players and I think we’re ready for a big season. I feel like we can really go undefeated during the regular season and make a deep playoff run.”
Though his commitment is over with and the focus shifts to Senior year, Credit did have a message for young recruits going through the recruiting process.
“My recruiting process at times was really overwhelming at times taking calls from coaches constantly and think about minimizing the list and making a decision,” Credit said on the recruiting process. “Having support system is important. My Dad, my Mom and my trainer Donnie Baggs really helped me throughout the process but my biggest advice to young recruits is to just take things step by step and not overthink things or try to do to much. Just go step by step and it truly will help you manage the chaos of the recruiting process.”
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