GAMES
RANKINGS
Cypress Ranch is one of four Houston area softball teams that booked its ticket to next week's regional semifinals.
Houston area 6A/5A softball/baseball playoff roundup
Four Houston-area Class 6A and Class 5A softball regional quarterfinals matchups and 11 6A/5A baseball area playoff matchups are in the books.
The softball and baseball teams at Pearland, Katy and Lake Creek have already punched their tickets to continue their respective seasons next week.
Here’s a look at scores through Friday’s action, with a lot of series to be decided on Saturday and potentially Monday.
SOFTBALL
Class 6A
REGION II
Cypress Ranch 2, Bridgeland 1
Game 1: Cypress Ranch 5, Bridgeland 1
Game 2: Bridgeland 11, Cypress Ranch 2
Game 3: Cypress Ranch 5, Bridgeland 2
The Woodlands vs. Grand Oaks
Game 1: The Woodlands 5, Grand Oaks 2
Game 2: Grand Oaks 17, The Woodlands 13
Game 3: Noon, Saturday, at Magnolia High
REGION III
Katy 2, Cinco Ranch 0
Game 1: Katy 7, Cinco Ranch 2
Game 2: Katy 10, Cinco Ranch 0 (6)
Pearland 2, Clear Springs 0
Game 1: Pearland 3, Clear Springs 2 (8)
Game 2: Pearland 4, Clear Springs 0
George Ranch vs. Seven Lakes
Game 1: Seven Lakes 2, George Ranch 1
Game 2: George Ranch 3, Seven Lakes 2
Game 3: 10 a.m. Saturday, at George Ranch High
Deer Park vs. Brazoswood
Game 1: Brazoswood 8, Deer Park 0
Game 2: Deer Park 9, Brazoswood 4
Game 3: 6:30 p.m. Saturday, at Alvin High
Class 5A
REGION III
Lake Creek 2, Waller 0
Game 1: Lake Creek 5, Waller 3
Game 2: Lake Creek 7, Waller 3 (9)
Friendswood vs. Crosby
Game 1: Friendswood 7, Crosby 3
Game 2: Crosby 6, Friendswood 1
Game 3: 6:30 p.m., Saturday, at Clear Lake High
Kingwood Park vs. Brenham
Game 1: Kingwood Park 4, Brenham 3
Game 2: 4 p.m. Saturday, Jordan HS
Game 3 (if needed): After Game 2
Santa Fe vs. Foster
Game 1: Santa Fe 1, Foster 0
Game 2: 11 a.m., Saturday, at Shadow Creek High
Game 3 (if needed): 7 p.m., Monday, at Shadow Creek High
BASEBALL
Class 6A
REGION II
Oak Ridge 2, Klein Oak 0
Game 1: Oak Ridge 11, Klein Oak 8
Game 2: Oak Ridge 6, Klein Oak 5
Tomball 2, Willis 0
Game 1: Tomball 8, Willis 6
Game 2: Tomball 7, Willis 1
Cypress Ranch vs. The Woodlands
Game 1: The Woodlands 8, Cy Ranch 3
Game 2: Cy Ranch 3, The Woodlands 0
Game 3: 2 p.m. Saturday, at Cypress Falls High
Tomball Memorial vs. Grand Oaks
Game 1: Grand Oaks 4, Tomball Memorial 3
Game 2: Tomball Memorial 3, Grand Oaks 2
Game 3: 1 p.m., Saturday, at Tomball Memorial High
REGION III
Ridge Point 2, Westside 0
Game 1: Ridge Point 2, Westside 1 (8)
Game 2: Ridge Point 5, Westside 1
Clear Creek 2, North Shore 0
Game 1: Clear Creek 7, North Shore 4
Game 2: Clear Creek 3, North Shore 1
Pearland 2, West Brook 0
Game 1: Pearland 5, West Brook 2
Game 2: Pearland 2, West Brook 0
Katy 2, Jersey Village 1
Game 1: Katy 7, Jersey Village 0
Game 2: Katy 7, Jersey Village 4
Katy Taylor 2, Cy-Fair 1
Game 1: Katy Taylor 4, Cy-Fair 3 (8)
Game 2: Cy-Fair 3, Katy Taylor 2
Game 3: Katy Taylor 1, Cy-Fair 0
Tompkins vs. Lamar
Game 1: Tompkins 3, Lamar 0
Game 2: Lamar 5, Tompkins 4
Game 3: 7 p.m., Saturday, at Stratford High
Strake Jesuit vs. Deer Park
Game 1: Strake Jesuit 3, Deer Park 1 (8)
Game 2: Deer Park 5, Strake Jesuit 2
Game 3: 7 p.m. Saturday, at Strake Jesuit High
Clear Falls vs. Summer Creek
Game 1: Summer Creek 7, Clear Falls 2
Game 2: Clear Falls 10, Summer Creek 0 (6)
Game 3: Noon, Saturday, at Baytown Lee High
Class 5A
REGION III
Lake Creek def. Austin McCallum
Lake Creek 6, McCallum 1
Magnolia def. Pflugerville Weiss
Magnolia 10, Pflugerville Weiss 0 (5)
Friendswood 2, Waltrip 0
Game 1: Friendswood 8, Waltrip 0
Game 2: Friendswood 12, Waltrip 0 (5)
Crosby 2, Fulshear 1
Game 1: Crosby 11, Fulshear 2
Game 2: Fulshear 8, Crosby 0
Game 3: Crosby 1, Fulshear 0
Foster vs. La Porte
Game 1: Foster 8, La Porte 6
Game 2: La Porte 10, Foster 2
Game 3: 8 p.m. Saturday, at Manvel High
Milby vs. Santa Fe
Game 1: Milby 2, Santa Fe 1
Game 2: 4 p.m., Saturday, at Santa Fe High
Game 3 (if needed): After Game 2
Lake Creek is 30-0 this season, ranked No. 1 in Class 5A in the state and No. 2 nationally.
Undefeated Lions ready for playoffs
Now it’s war for Lake Creek.
With bitter memories lingering from last season’s loss to Barbers Hill in the Class 5A regional final, the Lions are laser-focused as the playoffs start up Thursday.
Lake Creek entered that Barbers Hill series 38-0 before it was shockingly swept by the eventual state champions.
“We’re going to war, and we’re going to war together,” junior ace and Florida commit Ava Brown said. “I think everybody in the dugout knows their roles, from the first game to the last game. We only have three seniors, but we’re trying to go all the way.
“If something stops us, it stops us, but we’re not going to beat ourselves. If we get beat, it’s with us playing to the best of our ability.”
.@LakeCreek_SB junior and @GatorsSB commit Ava Brown (@avajbrownn) discusses the 30-0 Lions ranked No. 1 in state and No. 2 nationally. Lake Creek beat 6A power Katy, 1-0, in playoff tuneup tonight. Brown is 20-0 w/ 0.37 ERA and hitting .378 w/ 8 HRs. @TXPrepSoftball @LakeCreekHSpic.twitter.com/Pj60DoTQ71— VYPE Houston (@VYPE Houston) 1651023350
Only Barbers Hill has survived Lake Creek’s best over the last two seasons.
This year, the Lions, a fourth-year varsity program, are 30-0. They are ranked No. 1 in Class 5A in the state, according to the Texas Girls Coaches Association, and No. 2 nationally, according to MaxPreps.
Lake Creek has scored 258 runs. It has surrendered only 28.
“We’ve grown a year,” coach Michelle Rochinski said. “Last year was the first time we’d been that far, and for a lot of them that was some of the first playoff ball they had seen. Our motto this year was ‘Unfinished business,’ so they have a goal. We talk every day about taking it one pitch, one game at a time. We can’t look too far ahead. But they want it, and it shows every day.”
The Lions quickly went from an upstart, wide-eyed playoff team last year to one with a huge target on their backs. Lake Creek has six players committed to play college ball, including four NCAA Division I commits.
“They’ve done a pretty good job of keeping a level head,” Rochinski said. “We have to stay confident, but we also know we have a bull’s-eye on our back.”
Lake Creek rolled through District 20-5A, allowing only seven runs. With the playoffs looming, Rochinski scheduled a playoff tune-up game against 6A power Katy on Tuesday.
The Lions prevailed, 1-0. But more than that, they took away some lessons.
Katy sophomore ace Cameryn Harrison was brilliant with 10 strikeouts, three walks (one intentional to Brown) and four hits allowed over seven innings. Afterward, Rochinski stressed to her girls how important doing the little things would be, such as executing small-ball whenever hits are hard to come by like they were against Katy.
Rochinski said it was vital for her girls to see some “top softball” before gearing up for the playoff run.
“This is what we needed,” Brown said. “Going into the playoffs, this is a step in the right direction. Cameryn Harrison pitched her butt off. She’s definitely the type of pitcher we needed to see. With a not-so-strong district, we need to see arms like that, so we know what to look forward to in the playoffs. The girls who aren’t used to seeing that can get some work getting their timing down.”
The Lions boast a plethora of premier talent.
Junior LSU commit Maddie McKee is hitting .569 with 43 RBIs, seven home runs and 58 stolen bases. Senior Syracuse commit Madelyn Lopez is hitting .506 with 30 RBIs. Sophomore Carmen Uribe is hitting .477. Junior UTSA commit Kalee Rochinski, the coach’s daughter, has 2o RBIs and eight doubles. Junior Payton Bauer (.396 average) has emerged as a consistent contributor in the bottom of the lineup at the designated hitter spot.
But Brown is the anchor. She is the ace and bats cleanup.
Brown is hitting .369 with 29 RBIs and eight home runs, with almost as many walks (12) as strikeouts (13). In the circle, she is 20-0 with an 0.35 ERA and 261 strikeouts to 17 walks.
Ava Brown gets Katy slugger Cameryn Harrison to strikeout looking to strand a runner at third and end the fourth. 1-0 @LakeCreek_SB into the fifth.pic.twitter.com/WKVS2Y9H3L— Dennis Silva II (@Dennis Silva II) 1651018123
“She’s matured and she’s confident,” Rochinski said. “She knows her defense has her back. She knows she doesn’t have to strike everybody out. Teams putting the ball in play is just a part of the game. She knows she doesn’t have to do too much.”
More than anything having to do with her skill, Brown is most proud of the leadership growth she’s shown this season.
“Last year, it was me and Emiley Kennedy together, and this year I feel it was my job to take her role and fill in her shoes,” Brown said. “I’ve been trying to pitch to the best of my ability, but also pitch to the best ability of my team. I’m here for these girls and I’ll do anything for them. I know they’ll do the same for me.”
Yes, talent like Brown and Co. might be enough to push Lake Creek above and beyond this season. But coaches and players believe that if they are to accomplish what they set out to do—and make no mistake, that’s to win a state championship—it will be because of something much greater, deeper.
“It’s our grit. Our determination,” Brown said. “We work so hard in practice and in the weight room. Coach Rochinski pushes us hard, pushes us to the next level, and makes sure we’re playing our best when we need to.”