GAMES
RANKINGS
Can Clear Springs cap off their monumental season with a title, against a loaded Midway program?
THE FINAL INNINGS: 2025 UIL State Softball Preview -- Clear Springs v. Midway (6A-D1)
Under head coach Jennifer Knight, the Chargers made their first-ever appearance in the UIL State Tournament a week ago— and now find themselves just one win away from the title.
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
Their path to the final has been defined by grit and resilience, most recently showcased in a sweep of East Central in the Semifinals. In Game 1, the Chargers rallied from a three-run deficit to pull off a dramatic 8-7 comeback victory, before clinching the series with a tight 5-4 win in Game 2.
The Chargers feature a well-rounded mix of seasoned seniors and emerging underclassmen. Senior third baseman Eryn Polite (Florida A&M-commit) and senior catcher Erianna Garcia (Abilene Christian) anchor the lineup, while freshman shortstop Makenzie Thomas has impressed throughout the entirety of 2025.
Adding depth are freshmen Elisa Garcia and Brynley Colianni, along with sophomore Brooke Colianni. In the outfield, twin juniors Alana and Emily Strever provide speed and defensive stability.
Furthermore, senior right-handers Jenna Hashaw (San Jacinto CC) and Grace Hirst (Lamar State) have formed a reliable one-two punch in the circle.
Their opponent, Midway (31-3), brings both experience and an underlying sense of redemption into Saturday’s title game.
Led by head coach Jordan Williams, the Panthers are making their 12th trip to the State Tournament and second consecutive appearance in the Final.
Still fueled by last year’s heartbreaking loss to Weslaco — in which they gave up a six-run lead in the seventh inning and lost on a walk-off grand slam — Midway is determined to finish the job this time around.
Senior standouts Jayden Sadler (McLennan) and Harper Haas (Baylor) lead a battle-tested squad, supported by junior outfielder Camryn Carter (Northwestern State) and senior utility player Lanee Brown.
Sophomore pitcher Peyton Philipp has been dominant all year, posting a 19-2 record in the circle, while junior infielder Amaya Locke adds power and consistency at the plate.
With one team chasing history and the other seeking redemption, Saturday’s final promises to deliver high drama and elite softball on the state’s biggest stage.
CLICK HERE TO STAY UPDATED ON ALL THE UIL STATE SOFTBALL BRACKETS
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!
...
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.