No. 9 -- Tomball Cougars
One of the more welcome surprises to emerge last spring, Tomball (29–5) pieced together its strongest outing in over a decade. The Cougars not only stormed through district play en route to an undefeated championship, but also reached the Regional Finals for the first time since their run to the 5A State Semifinals in 2010.
There’s little reason to believe that momentum will fade in 2026. Third-year head coach Alyssa Thompson and her staff bring back virtually the entire roster that powered last year’s breakthrough, positioning Tomball as a legitimate contender once again.
Leading a notably deep Cougars bullpen, reigning 15-6A Pitcher of the Year Regina “Regi” Amaya continues to flourish in a starring role and shows no signs of slowing down. Versatility remains another defining strength, embodied by senior Kaylea Wall, a Blinn commit and first-team all-district selection who batted .426 while pacing the team with 35 RBIs and six home runs — all while logging significant innings in the circle and across the infield.
Senior shortstop Aubrey Murillo (Abilene Christian) also returns after registering a team-high 96 hits and setting a new program record with 34 stolen bases, earning District 15-6A Defensive Player of the Year recognition. Trinity-bound catcher Leila Guerra and infielder Macey Frank (Nicholls State), both senior first-team selections, further solidify Tomball’s balanced lineup as the Cougars aim to build on their rapid ascension.
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