GAMES
RANKINGS
TOP OF THE LINE: Midway triumphs over Atascocita to claim 6A-D1 crown, first title since 2003
“From day one, this group believed they could do something special,” said Midway head coach Eddie Cornblum. “They’ve worked for every bit of this. I couldn’t be prouder.”
Matthew Ogle (VYPE)
Midway wasted no time setting the tone.
In the bottom of the first inning, Tyler Seith laced a 2-RBI single to open the scoring, and Canyon Martin followed with an RBI double to make it 3-0. Atascocita responded in the top of the second with a pair of runs — an RBI double by Kaleb Thomas and a run-scoring groundout from Nick Dykes — but that would be the last offense the Eagles would muster.
Enter Potts.
The junior was called in for relief during the second inning and silenced the Atascocita lineup the rest of the way. Potts notched four strikeouts en route to being named the 6A-Division I State Championship MVP.
Jr. RHP Brody Potts accepts the 6A-D1 State MVP AwardMatthew Ogle
And extend it they did.
Martin, who finished 2-for-2 with an RBI and two runs scored, crossed home in the third inning on a wild pitch to stretch the lead to 4-2. Midway added insurance in the sixth as Jack Goldstrich and TJ Woodson delivered back-to-back RBI singles, pushing the score to its final 6-2 margin.
Offensively, the Panthers showed depth throughout the lineup. Woodson went 2-for-4 with an RBI, Seith added a hit and two RBIs, and Dru Ohmstede collected two hits and a run scored. Goldstrich and senior second baseman David Litle each contributed with timely hits as well.
Matthew Ogle (VYPE)
The win caps off an impressive postseason run for Midway in what was their fifth overall trip to the UIL State Tournament. The 2025 squad now joins the 2003 team in the Panthers’ championship lore.
“It’s surreal,” said Martin, who was one of four Panthers — along with Woodson, Ohmstede, and Goldstrich — named to the State All-Tournament Team. “We knew what was at stake, and we just trusted each other to get it done.”
From the opening pitch to the final out, Midway played with the poise of a championship team. And now, with another trophy in hand and a roster full of returning talent, the Panthers are poised to make sure this title run isn’t just a one-time affair.
“This is for everyone who believed in us,” Cornblum added. “But more importantly, it’s for these kids. They earned every bit of this moment.”
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.