GAMES
RANKINGS
The Hyde Park Softball program wins its first-ever TAPPS State Championship with 11-10 win over St. Joseph
THE WRAP: 2025 TAPPS State Softball Tournament Results; Hyde Park, John Paul II secure titles
John Paul II caps off the D1 Tournament with a dominant showing against Antonian Prep
Photo acquired via Twitter (@JPIIHSSports)
The Cardinals have once again proven themselves a powerhouse in Texas private school softball, capturing the TAPPS Division I State Championship with a commanding 12-2 win over Antonian Prep.
The victory, secured by run-rule at Arlington’s Allan Saxe Field, capped off a dominant postseason stretch and solidified the Cardinals’ place among the elite programs in the state.
This marks the team’s third state title in five seasons under the leadership of head coach Jayme Baker, and their third in as many years—each coming at the expense of Antonian Prep. The Cardinals’ path to the crown included lopsided victories over Liberty Christian (11-1) and Prestonwood Christian (12-2), showcasing their consistency and firepower throughout the playoffs.
Finishing with an impressive 28-2 record, JPII’s championship run was fueled by a mix of veteran leadership and young talent.
Senior pitcher and UT-Dallas commit Carly Holman anchored the team from the circle, while fellow seniors Allie Kloeber, Abby McGraw, and Rider University-bound catcher Abby Van Volkenburgh played pivotal roles in the infield and behind the plate. All four were named to the State All-Tournament Team.
Yet, the Cardinals’ success was a true team effort.
Underclassmen like Bridget Mulligan (So. 3B/C), Reagan McGraw (So. OF), and Sadie Zipser (So. IF), alongside senior outfielder Grace James, stepped up with key contributions throughout the season and playoffs.
As accolades continue to roll in, the Cardinals can take pride in not just their title, but the legacy they’ve built.
With four consecutive state tournament appearances and a culture of excellence, John Paul II has once again brought the championship back to Plano—and left no doubt about who rules TAPPS Division I softball.
Hyde Park wins the close battles to eventually hoist first-ever TAPPS State banner
Photo acquired via Instagram (@hydepark_athletics)
Hyde Park made school history Tuesday afternoon, capturing their first-ever TAPPS Division II State Championship in dramatic fashion, with a walk-off 11-10 victory over St. Joseph High at UT Arlington’s Allan Saxe Field.
The title win came with extra significance, as it served as a revenge game for Hyde Park—who fell to St. Joseph in last year’s State Final.
This time around, it was the Panthers who had the final say, thanks to a gutsy suicide squeeze bunt by freshman Kylie Yeager that allowed sophomore Alexa Stout to cross home plate for the game-winning run in the bottom of the seventh.
The championship not only capped off a 21-4 season, but also marked a perfect finish to head coach Julia Crofut’s first year at the helm. Her leadership helped guide a balanced squad that blended seasoned contributors with emerging underclassmen talent.
While the title was a true team effort, several players stood out throughout the Panthers’ memorable run. The Stout sisters—sophomore Alexa and USC Upstate-commit Cariana—were instrumental, alongside Grace Parscal, Ellis Fellin, and freshman Alexandra Akins. And with her game-deciding bunt, Yeager etched her name into Hyde Park lore.
For a program that’s come close in recent years, the 2024 championship represents more than just a trophy—it’s a breakthrough moment that could mark the beginning of a new era for Hyde Park softball.
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The stars of 2024-25 Episcopal High School Softball
THE FINAL CURTAIN: Previewing the 2025 SPC Spring Championships
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EPISCOPAL HIGH SCHOOL
2024-25 Episcopal Baseball
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
When it comes to the Southwest Preparatory Conference, few schools match the consistency and excellence of Episcopal High School across multiple sports.
The Knights softball program, in particular, has set the standard—winning seven consecutive SPC titles (excluding the COVID year).
Under head coach Caitlyn Cain, Episcopal enters this postseason as the No. 1 seed with a 19-3 record. The team features a veteran core, including Gianna Lewis and Reagan Moriarty, along with standout sophomore Hayleigh Hubbard—all of whom earned All-SPC honors last season.
If things go to plan, the Knights will compete for their eighth straight title in the championship game this Saturday at 12:30 PM at St. John’s School.
On the baseball diamond, head coach Matt Fox has his team poised for a title run of their own.
After falling just short to St. John’s, 6-4, in last year’s SPC-4A final, Episcopal is hungry to reclaim the crown.
Despite battling injuries this spring, the Knights remain a contender. A win over St. Mark’s today could set up a highly anticipated semifinal rematch against SJS, pending their result against St. Stephen’s Episcopal.
The SPC championship game is scheduled for Saturday at 1:30 PM on Episcopal’s home field.
Episcopal’s Track & Field team, led by coach Isaiah Coleman, is also primed for a strong showing. After a competitive spring season, the Knights bring a deep and talented roster to the SPC Championships, which run Friday through Saturday at the Awty Sports Complex.
Athletes to watch include Emilia Sanchez, Nico Curtin, Cecilia Bass, Walker Vaden, Sophia Cormier, Jasmine Jones, Ryder Linebarger, Ashley Conoscenti, Marshal Garza, Isabella DeGrange, DeVonte Taylor, and Addison Cassens—all of whom are expected to make an impact across various events.
With championship ambitions across multiple programs, Episcopal once again proves why it’s one of the most respected athletic institutions in the SPC.
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
2024-25 Episcopal Girls Track & Field
HOUSTON CHRISTIAN HIGH SCHOOL
Some of the stars of 2024-25 Houston Christian Softball w/ Head Coach Kyle Pickett
Jamey Wright (VYPE)
Houston Christian is once again well-represented in the Southwest Preparatory Conference Championships, with multiple teams poised to compete at a high level across softball, baseball, track & field, and tennis.
The Lady Mustangs softball program has put together another strong season, entering the SPC playoffs as the No. 5 seed with a 16-10 record. Led by head coach Kyle Pickett, the team is powered by a dynamic lineup that includes standout freshman Yazmine Johnson, along with key contributors MC Been, Quincy Zoretic, Maddie Pickett, Lily Herveat, Emmy Koehler, and pitcher Millie Metz.
They open their playoff campaign Friday morning at 10:00 AM against Greenhill at St. John’s School. A win would send them into a challenging second-round matchup later that day against the winner of the Episcopal-TBD contest.
On the baseball side, head coach Terry Pirtle has guided the Mustangs to a solid 16-12 mark heading into the postseason. Houston Christian faces Greenhill in Thursday’s opening round, with top players like Kaden Worley, Hudson Davenport, Thomas Frank, Kirby Orth, and Jeb Burkhart all expected to play key roles. A win would earn them a spot against No. 1 seed Kinkaid on Friday at 5:30 PM, hosted at Episcopal High School.
The Mustangs track & field team, under the leadership of coach CJay Brown, also carries high expectations into the SPC Championships. A well-rounded roster of top athletes—including Eloise du Vigneaud, Sam CdeBaca, McKayla Childs, Lea Garcia, Greg Guidry, Sophia Lusk, Alexander Bartholomew, Bekah Gerard, and Joel Ortiz—will look to make their presence known in a variety of events. The competition runs Friday and Saturday at Awty International School.
Rounding out the weekend, Houston Christian’s tennis program—coached by Di Akina—aims to leave its mark in the SPC Tournament, which culminates with the finals held at Rice University on Saturday.
With talent, preparation, and postseason experience across the board, Houston Christian continues to set a high standard among Houston-area private schools.
Jamey Wright (VYPE)
Some of the stars of 2024-25 Houston Christian Baseball
THE KINKAID SCHOOL
Kinkaid's Jack Paris
Jamey Wright (VYPE)
The Kinkaid School is primed to make a strong showing at the SPC Championships this weekend, with top-tier representation across all walks of spring competition.
On the diamond, the Falcons baseball program enters the postseason as the No. 1 seed with an impressive 25-8 record under head coach Steve Maas.
With a deep, balanced roster featuring Texas-signee Jack Paris, along with LJ Layhew (Rice), Marcus Harris (Texas Southern), Isaac Ly, Max Roeder, and Thomas Smith, Kinkaid has its sights set on reclaiming the SPC title for the first time since 2022.
They will face the winner of Houston Christian vs. Greenhill in Friday’s semifinal at 5:30 PM, with the championship game slated for Saturday—both hosted at Episcopal High School.
The softball program, coached by Haley Outon, is also poised for a competitive run, as they enter the brackets as the No. 3 seed with a 9-8-1 record and a promising young core.
Sophomores Lindley Bowman and Lauren Gibson—both 2024 All-SPC selections—are joined by junior Audrey Jones and a standout freshman class that includes Lucy Burke, Ramsey Landry, Sydney Reichman, and Lillian Slania.
The Falcons begin their title pursuit Friday at 12:30 PM against the winner of the St. John’s vs. Duchesne Academy game at St. John’s School, looking to unseat an Episcopal team that has dominated the championship for the past seven seasons.
On the track, Kinkaid will be a team to watch. The boys’ squad is led by coach John Beckwith, while the girls compete under Ken Conner.
Key athletes include Maddy Billipp, Ethan Williams, Caroline Raynes, Rob Satcher, Sydney Marshall, Darnell Joseph, Maya Bernal, William Donnelly, and Kamdyn Flora. Events begin Friday morning at the Awty Sports Complex and conclude Saturday afternoon.
Kinkaid Tennis also enters the weekend with high expectations.
Head coach Stacey Marshall leads a program that saw the girls claim last year’s SPC title and the boys reach the semifinals. Junior Jasmine Nguyen and senior Gabriel Xu headline the roster, as both teams aim for a spot in Saturday’s finals at Rice University, following Friday’s semifinals at St. John’s.
Jamey Wright (VYPE)
Some of the stars of 2024-25 Kinkaid Softball
ST. JOHN'S SCHOOL
Doug Brown (VYPE)
St. John’s School heads into SPC Championship weekend with momentum across several sports, aiming to build on its strong tradition of excellence.
Beginning with the baseball portion of the weekend, the Mavericks look to defend their 2024 SPC-4A title. Under the leadership of head coach Clint Everts, St. John’s enters the postseason as the No. 2 seed, boasting a 10-11 overall record but an impressive 3-1 mark in district play.
Their opening-round matchup is set for Thursday night at 6:30 PM against St. Stephen’s Episcopal, hosted at The Kinkaid School. Should they advance, the championship game will be held Saturday at 1:30 PM at Episcopal High School.
The SJS softball team is also poised for a competitive run. After reaching the semifinals last year, the Mavericks are looking to go even further this season.
Head coach Isis Amao has guided her team to an 8-5-1 record, with key contributions from All-SPC honorees Avery Peakes and Ally Hong, along with standouts Yutia Li, Melanie Chen, Gabby Sherrill, and Sophie Phillpott.
Their playoff journey begins Thursday night at 6:30 PM against Duchesne Academy. A win would send them into a Friday showdown with Kinkaid at 12:30 PM, with the championship set for Saturday on their home field.
On the track, St. John’s brings a deep and talented squad to this year’s SPC Meet, held Friday and Saturday at the Awty Sports Complex. Head coach Richie Mercado will lead a balanced group, with standout athletes such as Taylor Synnott, Thea Popovic, Bianca Sieler, Valentina Doss, and Dylan Davis on the girls’ side, and Andrew Wasserman, Marshall Dunahoe, Jay Woodhouse, Akash McCracken, Maxwell Martin, and Tony Thomas leading the boys.
In tennis, both the boys’ and girls’ teams are well-positioned for success.
The boys, coached by Sam Chambers, enter as the tournament’s No. 1 seed, while the girls, under coach Zeze De Moura, are seeded second. Both squads will aim to reach the finals at Rice University and challenge perennial contenders St. Stephen’s and Kinkaid, respectively.
Alex Hinson (VYPE)
