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THE TIGERS: Katy Geared Up For Deep Playoff Run
As usual, Katy will be a force to be reckoned with heading into the 2025 campaign. After advancing to the third round of last year’s postseason, the Tigers will likely be poised for a similar run in May, if not better.
However, first, they’ll need to navigate a competitive district featuring Cinco Ranch, Tompkins, Taylor, and Seven Lakes. Third-year head coach Wes Hearne will rely on an exceptionally deep bullpen to keep the district title within reach. Senior right-hander Connor Udland (Houston commit) will continue to be the ace on the mound, following a standout 10-2 season with a 1.61 ERA.
In addition to his pitching, Udland was just as effective at the plate (.306 BA), earning himself District 19-6A MVP honors. Senior RHP/1B Cade Nelson (TCU) is another key arm (5-1, 0.94 ERA), while fellow TCU-commit Aiden Barrientes and junior Jayden Stewart (Houston) round out one of the most formidable units in the Houston area.
On the offensive side, junior shortstop Ashten Ballew is expected to play a starring role. After posting a .364 batting average and earning District Newcomer of the Year honors in 2024, Ballew will be crucial to Katy’s success this season.
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THE RANKINGS: No. 2 - Katy Tigers
A new era dawns on the west side of Houston as the Katy Tigers softball team will be under a new head coach for the first time in 26 years. But it is not an unfamiliar face.
Longtime-assistant Meghan Burrell takes over the program as she enters her 12th year on campus. Burrell takes over a group that went 38-3 a year ago and rose to be the No. 1-ranked team in the nation and reached the Class 6A Region III Final.
This team returns plenty of talent, headlined by Oklahoma-commit Ella Kate “EK” Smith (.465, 1.16 ERA, honorable mention, all-state), LSU-commit Lauryn Soken (.313, 0.93 ERA, first-team, all-district) and University of Houstoncommit Hailey Gore (.509, 1st-team, all-district).
Other players to watch include Oklahoma State-commit Montgomery “MG” Henderson (.486, third-team, all-state), NC State-commit Maddie Smith (.391, first-team, all-district), McClennan-commit Brooke Fechner (.473, first-team, alldistrict) and Missouri-commit Avery Porter (first-team, all-district). Also, be on the lookout for Lexie Waugh (UT-Arlington-commit) and Paige Stall (Cisco-commit).