GAMES
RANKINGS
The stars of 2025-26 Katy Tigers Softball
GRIT OVER GLAMOUR: Unmoved by the hype, No. 3 Katy aims for a third ring
Were it not for a stunning 7–5 loss in the Regional Semifinals—sealed by Clear Springs’ Eryn Polite on a three-run walk-off—the path to a 6A Division I title looked very real. Despite that abrupt ending, the Tigers have had ample time to regroup and reload for 2026.
It starts with Oklahoma pledge Ella Kate “EK” Smith (Sr. RHP/OF). A true two-way force, Smith dominated every phase of the game last season, going 11–1 out of the bullpen with a 0.58 ERA and 145 strikeouts, while also hitting .614 with 15 home runs and 45 RBIs. The District 19-6A MVP added another line to her résumé in October, earning a gold medal with the United States U-18 national team at the WSBC World Cup.
Still, it’s far from an EK-only show.
Katy Sr. C Maddie Smith (NC State signee)Farrah Sheeren (VYPE/Phlox Photography)
Behind the plate, senior catcher Maddie Smith—an NC State signee—returns after a first-team all-district campaign. Fellow first-team senior Lexie Waugh (UT Arlington) will see time in the outfield when she’s not splitting catching duties. The next wave is already in place, led by first-team infielders Evie Willemssen (Jr., Auburn-commit) and Nevaeh Phillips (So.), while freshman Haley Schmitt (RHP/IF) appears poised for a breakout season.
EK has described this group as “gritty,” and if all goes according to plan, that edge could put Katy in position to hoist its third state championship—and first since 2019.
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Whataburger Team of the Week: Clear Springs Softball stuns Katy in walk-off fashion
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.
