GAMES
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RANKINGS
No. 1 state-ranked Lake Creek is 37-0 and back in the Class 5A Region III finals for a second straight season after finishing off a regional semifinal sweep of Friendswood with a 10-0 win in six innings in Game 2 on Thursday at Tompkins High in Katy.
Lake Creek headed back to regional finals after sweep of Friendswood
KATY—All along this season, Lake Creek’s softball players knew what they had to do.
Last year’s regional finals loss to Barbers Hill left a bitter taste. The Lions said they had unfinished business this year. They said they had to take it one game at a time.
So, perhaps the biggest difference in this year’s Lions and last year’s is that they are doing what they say they intend to do. They spoke it into existence. And it’s because of turning words into actions that Lake Creek is laser-focused and set that this year’s regional finals trip will turn out more pleasantly.
Lake Creek took care of business Thursday evening, finishing off Friendswood, 10-0 in six innings, to sweep the regional semis at Tompkins High School. The Lions are 37-0, ranked No. 1 in the state and No. 2 in the nation.
But they were undefeated, too, when they went into last year’s fifth round. The feeling, though, is this is not that team.
“It’s very exciting,” said junior ace Ava Brown, who went 4-for-6 with four RBIs in the series, threw a complete-game shutout in Game 1 and followed with a scoreless three innings of relief in Game 2. “Obviously our goal is always one game at a time. But we know where we ended last year isn’t where we want to end it this year.
“We know what happened last year. We were a little complacent, undefeated, and this year it’s not about going to round five. It’s about playing the next game.”
Lake Creek was dominant against a tough Friendswood (30-9) team, outscoring the Mustangs 18-0. The Lions hit .451 and struck out just four times in 51 at-bats. They held the Mustangs to 10 total hits in the two games, and almost as many strikeouts (six).
“We had a game plan against Friendswood, and we executed both games,” coach Michelle Rochinski said. “They were phenomenal picking up on the defensive situations, baserunning. They executed both games perfect.”
The Lions are ridiculously talented. That much is certain with four NCAA Division I commits. But what they’ve proven is they are as rich in depth as they are in sheer ability.
Brown, junior Maddie McKee (4-for-7, RBI) and senior Madelyn Lopez (2-for-5, four RBIs) were the usual prolific producers in the series. But others have emerged, such as sophomore Carmen Uribe (5-for-6, two RBIs), junior Madison Johnson (no runs on four hits in three innings in a Game 2 start) and junior Payton Bauer (two RBIs).
“I see them picking each other up,” Rochinski said. “We’re not relying on one or two people. It’s a full team effort. Everybody is going to have an off day or an off series. We talk about being perfect, but we know in the real world we’re not going to be perfect. It’s knowing the next person is going to pick us up. That’s one thing I love about this team. They’re there for each other, battling for each other.”
Bauer has been one of those consistent battlers at the bottom of the order. She entered the series hitting .354 with a .400 on-base percentage and 11 walks to five strikeouts.
“Do my job,” Bauer said. “If there’s runners on base, get them in. If not, get it started. Do what I’ve got to do.”
Rochinski said when the team lost to Barbers Hill last season, there was a feeling that they weren’t done. There was a thought that perhaps it just wasn’t their time.
But after the way the Lions dominated this series, and with the know-how and experience lingering from last season, they are ready to punch the clock. Minds on state, but eyes on Santa Fe at a time and place to be determined next week.
“We have so much drive this year to just finish what we started last year,” Bauer said. “We’re not going to let anything get in our way. We know what we have to do. We know what has to be done. From the first inning, we have to be prepared and locked in. Focused. We have to attack and get the job done.”
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.”
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.
“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.”