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Clear Springs' Makenzie Thomas
THE PLAYMAKERS: Prime Time, powered by UTMB Health
Here are the UTMB Athletes of the Week, as we're now in the thick of the postseason!
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Iowa Colony Track & Field
My boss, Matt Malatesta, recently dubbed Iowa Colony “the new Fort Bend Marshall”—a nod to how quickly the Pioneers have become a dominant force in Texas high school track & field.
Under the leadership of Rachel Easley (Girls) and Aundra Long (Boys), Iowa Colony has made an immediate impact since opening in 2022.
The program burst onto the scene at last year’s UIL State Meet in Austin, with standout performances across the board.
Individually, Ashtyn Lewis claimed gold in the 400m and silver in the 200m, while Jayden Warren earned bronze in both the 100m and 200m. Ian Hill added a third-place finish in the 800m.
The relay teams were just as electric—Girls (1st in 4x400, 2nd in 4x200) and Boys (2nd in 4x100, 2nd in 4x400, 3rd in 4x200)—culminating in dual team titles at the 4A level. The boys shared the championship with Gilmer.
Now competing in Class 5A, the Pioneers haven’t missed a step.
Lewis, Warren, and Hill continue to excel, joined by emerging names like Xavier Bellard and Daniel Swiney. Their dominance was on full display at the recent Regional meet, setting the stage for another strong showing in Austin.
Normally, our PLAYMAKERS section highlights individual athletes. But this time, the spotlight belongs to the entire Iowa Colony program—a powerhouse that has earned every bit of recognition heading into the State Meet.
Grant Shepherd -- Pearland Baseball
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
The Oilers head into the 2025 postseason with a strong 21-7 record, following a second-place finish in the District 22-6A standings (13-3).
With the updated playoff structure, they enter as the district’s No. 1 seed in Division I—armed with momentum and experience.
Though Texas A&M-commit Nico Partida continues to be the focal point on offense and defense, he’s not alone in the effort.
Junior left-hander Grant Shepherd has quietly established himself as one of Pearland’s most reliable two-way players.
When Partida isn’t on the mound, Shepherd often gets the call from head coach David Rogers—and with good reason. He’s kept his ERA under 2.00 throughout the season, using a versatile arsenal to keep hitters off balance.
But his contributions don’t stop there. Shepherd also sees time in the outfield and at the plate, where he’s posted a .275 batting average with seven RBIs and a home run to his name.
Pearland is set to open the playoffs against Fort Bend Travis later this week as they look to punch their ticket to the UIL State Tournament for the third straight year—with Shepherd playing an increasingly pivotal role in that pursuit.
Makenzie Thomas -- Clear Springs Softball
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
Despite finishing as the runner-up in District 24-6A, Clear Springs opened the 2025 postseason with authority.
The Chargers swept 23-6A powerhouse Summer Creek in convincing fashion—posting back-to-back wins (9-4 and 12-5), which improved their record to 19-6 – and sent a clear message to Houston-area contenders: they’re here to compete.
At the center of it all was freshman standout Makenzie Thomas.
In just her first playoff series, Thomas went 3-for-7 at the plate, launching three home runs, driving in five RBIs, and scoring four runs. Her performance not only helped propel Clear Springs into the next round but also introduced her as a rising force in the South Texas softball scene.
Alongside fellow impact player Erianna Garcia, Thomas represents the next generation of talent for a program looking to make a deep run.
Attention now turns to the upcoming series against Dobie, with Game 1 set for Wednesday night at 6:30 PM at La Porte High School. With their momentum growing, don’t be surprised if Thomas and the Chargers keep their hot streak rolling.
Jaylen Walker -- Lutheran South Academy Baseball
Justin Hartojo (VYPE)
Lutheran South Academy enters the postseason not only as the No. 1 team in TAPPS Division II, but also as the top-ranked team in Texas, according to MaxPreps.
With a near-flawless 30-3-1 record, the Pioneers appear well-positioned for a deep championship run.
Much of the attention naturally goes to high-profile names like LSU-commit Omar Serna and Texas-bound Marcus Cantu. But junior Jaylen Walker continues to prove he's just as vital to LSA’s success.
The versatile outfielder and right-handed pitcher has been a steady presence in the lineup all season, and his recent home run—his sixth of the year—only underscores his growing impact.
Whether at the plate, on the mound, or in the field, Walker’s all-around contributions give the Pioneers an added edge.
He’s a reminder that Lutheran South’s depth extends far beyond its star power—and that could be the difference as the postseason heats up.
Leslie Sarduy -- Dobie Softball
Doug Brown (VYPE)
After finishing second in District 22-6A, Dobie entered the first round of the 2025 playoffs as underdogs against 21-6A champion Ridge Point.
But the Longhorns, led by head coach Robin Rackley, defied expectations—sweeping the Panthers with back-to-back wins (10-5, 10-7) to advance to the Area Round.
At the heart of that upset was senior Leslie Sarduy. The Midland College commit went 4-for-6 over the two-game stretch, tallying two RBIs, five runs, and a triple. Her impact was felt not only at the plate, but across the field—anchoring Dobie’s defense with veteran presence and composure.
Sarduy’s leadership has brought stability to a team looking to make a deep postseason run, and her recent performance suggests she’s far from done.
As the Longhorns prepare to face Clear Springs in the Area Round, all eyes will be on Sarduy to continue setting the tone for a team that's gaining momentum at just the right time.
Clear Springs' Erianna Garcia
THE PLAYMAKERS: Dominators of the Diamond powered by UTMB Health
Here are the UTMB Softball Athletes of the Week, as we enter the district portion of the Spring season.
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Kaylee Schweitzer -- Pearland Softball
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
The Oilers have wasted no time proving themselves as contenders once again.
Under second-year head coach Michelle Hyden, Pearland has stormed to a 18-6 record this spring, including a definitive 8-0 start in District 22-6A play. Their latest statement came in a commanding 17-1 victory over Sam Rayburn on .
While the team’s success has been a collective effort, senior outfielder Kaylee Schweitzer has been a driving force behind their resurgence.
A UT-Arlington-commit, Schweitzer was part of Pearland’s 2023 state championship team and played a key role in last year’s playoff run to the Regional Quarterfinals.
With standout teammates like Payton Shugart (Texas State), Layla Bennett (Central Florida), and Laila Nobles (North Texas), the Oilers have all the tools to make another deep postseason push—and perhaps, another run at a state title.
Erianna Garcia -- Clear Springs Softball
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
With head coach Jennifer Knight at the helm, Clear Springs has powered its way to an impressive 11-2 start, earning recognition from MaxPreps, which currently ranks them No. 9 in Texas.
Winners of 6-straight, the Chargers have dominated early district play, securing decisive victories over Clear Brook (19-7), Clear Lake (7-6), Brazoswood (13-2), and most recently, Clear Falls (17-3).
A high-powered offense has been the driving force behind the team’s success, headlined by standout senior catcher Erianna Garcia, an Abilene Christian-commit.
Garcia leads the Chargers with a .543 batting average, 24 RBIs, and five home runs, making her one of the most dangerous hitters in the district.
While she’s complemented by strong performances from Makenzie Thomas (.463 BA, 16 RBI, 5 HR), Alana Strever (.449 BA, 14 RBI, 1 HR), and Eryn Polite (.370 BA, 12 RBI, 2 HR), Garcia remains the undisputed alpha of a lineup poised to make a deep postseason run in the coming months.
Braelynn Jones -- Deer Park Softball
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
Riding a nine-game winning streak, Deer Park improved to 15-4 on the season with a thrilling 7-5 victory over Clear Lake, sealed by freshman Journey Calderon's walk-off home run on Friday.
The win also marked a 4-0 start in District 24-6A play, an encouraging sign for a program eager to bounce back after last year’s Area Round exit.
With tough district competition ahead, the Deer have already proven they can handle top-tier opponents, securing key wins over defending 6A state champion Weslaco, Keller (13-5-1), and Pearland (17-6) earlier this season.
Leading the charge is ace pitcher Braelynn Jones, a Texas Tech commit, who has shown poise in high-pressure moments—most notably during the Barbers Hill Tournament in early March, where she delivered numerous clutch performances with senior Madi Alvarado (Temple) providing relief.
Offensively, Deer Park boasts plenty of firepower, with standout contributions from Mia Montemayor (Texas Southern), Aleena Carrizales (Texas Southern), Camryn Plocheck (Texas State), Zoie Powell (San Jacinto CC), and the rising star Calderon.
This should keep some of the pressure off of Jones, when the Deer eventually turn their attention towards the postseason.
Charleigh Esparza -- Friendswood Softball
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
Friendswood is off to one of its hottest starts in years, boasting a near-perfect 19-1 record as they enter the first half of district play (4-0).
Their lone setback came in a tightly contested 5-3 loss to 6A powerhouse Clear Springs in late February. However, the Mustangs remain focused as they navigate a competitive District 20-5A, which features strong opponents like Angleton and La Porte.
Among the key contributors for coach Jarrod Hunter’s squad, senior Charleigh Esparza has been the steady force at the heart of the lineup.
The Baylor-commit has not only provided offensive firepower but also anchors the team defensively as the catcher, guiding the Mustangs with her leadership and experience.
With a playoff berth all but certain, Friendswood has its sights set on a deeper run, and with Esparza leading the charge, they’ll be a tough team to stop.
Persephone Soria -- Dobie Softball
Doug Brown (VYPE)
Though the first half of the season has been filled with ups and downs, a strong 6-2 start to district play has Dobie (10-8) firmly in the playoff conversation.
Offense hasn’t been a concern for coach Robin Rackley’s squad, as the Longhorns have lit up the scoreboard against tough opponents such as Dawson (19-3), O’Connor (9-1), and Manvel (14-1) this season.
That production has been fueled by a well-balanced lineup featuring Chloe Nunez (.515 BA, 8 RBI), Amaya Corona (.367 BA, 15 RBI, 1 HR), and Lili Sepulveda (.302 BA, 19 RBI, 1 HR), among others.
However, the emergence of sophomore Persephone Soria has been a difference-maker. Soria is hitting for a .386 average, while having contributed 18 RBIs, including three doubles, two triples, and a home run.
Dobie hasn’t missed the playoffs in over a decade, and if Soria and company continue their strong play, that streak isn’t ending anytime soon.