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Whataburger Team of the Week: Barbers Hill SB punches ticket to State Final in a dominant display
Barbers Hill Sr. RHP Hailey Nutter delivers a master-class performance, with a total of 18 strikeouts against Smithson ValleyMatthew Ogle (VYPE)
The University of Kentucky-signee struck out 18 batters and recorded a no-hitter — albeit an unconventional one — in a statement outing that propelled Barbers Hill into the State Final for the first time since 2021.
“To stay locked into the goal I make sure that I don’t let anything on the outside get in my head, and focus on what I can accomplish with my catcher,” Nutter said. “When you get out in front of all of this it can be easy to get distracted. So, keeping the concentration with her helps to block it all out.”
Nutter and sophomore catcher Zoey Hood have a conversation on the pitcher's moundMatthew Ogle (VYPE)
The Eagles’ offense came alive in the third inning, where they did all of their scoring.
Junior AshLynn Cooper sparked the surge with an RBI double, followed by a sacrifice fly from Nutter. Sophomore Aybrie Corona then delivered the knockout blow — a two-run homer that gave Barbers Hill a comfortable cushion and sealed the game’s momentum.
With the win, Barbers Hill improved to 35-3 on the season and secured its place in the championship game — a feat they last accomplished in 2021, when they captured the program’s first state title with a 4-1 victory over Aledo.
Head coach Aaron Fuller reflected on how this senior class has come full circle.
HC Aaron Fuller speaks with his team after their 4-0 win against Smithson Valley Thursday.Matthew Ogle (VYPE)
“This group of seniors were eighth graders, in the stands watching, when we won it the last time around,” Fuller said. “They saw that and they know it’s a possibility. Ever since their freshman year, that’s all they’ve wanted — the opportunity to dog-pile in Austin.
“We’ve had the talent each year, but we’ve run into great teams and have just fallen short. But we’ve inched closer each season. Our seniors have been determined to lead us to this point and get us over the hump, and it showed in this game.”
Barbers Hill will now face defending state champion Melissa (37-1) in what promises to be one of the most anticipated matchups of the spring. First pitch is scheduled for 7:00 PM this Friday at UT-Austin’s Red & Charline McCombs Field.
Aybrie Corona
Matthew Ogle (VYPE)
2022-23 Barbers Hill High School Softball
THE WIND UP: VYPE Softball Rankings, No. 8 Barbers Hill Eagles
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.
They have been to the State Tournament four times in program history and after exiting in the Area Round last year, the Eagles are looking to fly again in 2023.
The Eagles bring back TGCA All-State selection Hailey Nutter who quickly became the ace in the circle for Barbers Hill as a freshman in 2022. Nutter exploded onto the scene and was named the District MVP with a 19-4 record and 187 strikeouts in 119 innings pitched.
Peyton Helmly is back after being named the district’s Newcomer of the Year in 2022 hitting .378 at the dish.
Other key returners include Reagan Duty (LSU-Eunice), Katelynn Cooper (Navarro JC), Sophie Naivar (Boston University), Kaydey Rawlinson (Kilgore College), Brookelyn Livanec, Harper Gonzalez, and Emma Hargrave.
The motto for Aaron Fuller’s squad, which he is leading for a ninth season and who has 337 career wins in 12 years as a head coach, is “Take it Back."
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Hailey Nutter
