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STATE PREVIEW: Five DFW area softball teams have a chance to win it all
Fans have seen preseason games and tournaments, district play, and the beginning of playoffs all come and go. After grueling matchups against tough competitors, the moment has arrived: the 2022-23 UIL Softball State Championship. VYPE DFW dives into the five Dallas-Fort Worth area teams that have a shot at bringing home the title!
Decatur Lady Eagles (33-9, 9-1)
4A Semifinal, 4 p.m., Thursday, June 1 against Liberty
Led by standout senior pitcher Macey Jones (19-4), senior Chayse Freeman, juniors Ryanne Murphree and Abby Mosley, sophomores Madi Moreland and Alexa Beeson, and more incredible athletes, the Decatur Lady Eagles are making their third state tournament appearance. With high defensive IQ and strong performances at the plate, the Lady Eagles have given it their all from the start to the finish of each game this season. Defeating teams like Iowa Park (4-3), Denison (10-0), Fort Worth Castleberry (20-1), Bridgeport (15-0), Lake Worth (12-0), and more, Decatur has outscored their opponents by a combined 173 runs so far. Finishing 9-1 in district play, the Lady Eagles jumped into playoffs ready to get the job done.
Decatur has ended the season of Wichita Falls, Sweetwater, Graham, Dumas, and Burkburnett en route to the state tournament. As the team prepares for Liberty (36-8, 10-0), fans can expect them to do everything it takes to put up a strong fight during the semifinals matchup. Ready to advance to the state title game, Decatur will play smart on the field and can be expected to never give up their fight!
Aubrey Lady Chaparrals (34-7, 8-0)
4A Semifinal, 7 p.m., Thursday, June 1 against Corpus Christi Calallen
Led by freshman Abby Buxton, sophomores Tamia and Mya Cherry, Molly Reid, and Keeli Fuller, juniors Brooklyn Weier and Brynlie Dunkin, seniors Bree Jones and Abby Hammett, and more, the Aubrey Lady Chaparrals have put in the effort necessary to lead them to their fourth appearance in the state tournament. The team opened their season with a six-game win streak-- having several double-digit victories over their opponents. Shutting out 18 opponents so far this season-- including huge victories over Frisco Centennial (17-0), Richardson (18-0), Sanger (17-0), Dallas Wilmer-Hutchins (16-0), and more-- the Lady Chaparrals have allowed only 74 runs against them so far this season; scoring 341 of their own. The team finished first in their district with an undefeated 8-0 record before nearly flawlessly working through their playoff opponents.
Aubrey has ended the seasons of Wilmer-Hutchins, Kennedale, Venus, Sulphur Springs, and Van Alstyne while allowing only five runs throughout the playoffs. As the team gears up to face Corpus Christi Calallan (29-6-2, 8-2), fans can expect the same tenacity that has powered them thus far. Expect a strong outing from this incredible team as they look to advance to the state championship game against the winner of Liberty vs. Decatur.
Frisco Heritage Lady Coyotes (35-3, 12-0)
5A Semifinal, 7 p.m., Friday, June 2 against Montgomery Lake Creek
In their first-ever state tournament appearance, Frisco Heritage's softball program is looking to make waves. Led by senior pitcher Jensin Hall, seniors Kailey Sweezey, Amari Simmons, Madelyn Garza, juniors Allie Crow, Allie Lazar, Maddison Young, Ahna Van Meter, sophomore Kaira Netzel, freshman Samantha Riley, and more, the team has had an outstanding season already. Finishing 12-0 in district play, the team took the first place spot in their district with victories over the likes of Frisco Liberty (14-0), Frisco Independence (10-0), Frisco Memorial (10-1), Emerson (10-0), and more. With incredible defensive strategy, the Lady Coyotes have allowed only 41 runs all season-- only four in district play.
Frisco Heritage has ended the seasons of The Colony, Mesquite Poteet, Frisco Wakeland, Melissa, and Frisco Lone Star. The team is prepared to take on a tough squad in the defending 5A State Champions- Montgomery Lake Creek (42-1, 14-0). Fans can expect the Lady Coyotes to put up a tough battle for the Lady lions with high hopes of advancing to the state championship game.
Colleyville Heritage Lady Panthers (36-7, 11-3)
5A Semifinal, 1 p.m., Friday, June 2 against Comal Canyon
Finishing second in their district standings- just behind a tough Argyle squad- the Lady Panthers posted an 11-3 district record en route to playofs this season. With fantastic pitching depth and strong batters, the Panthers have outscored their opponents this season by a combined 252 runs. From the start of the season, Colleyville Heritage took off without looking back; posting a 12-0 start against their preseason opponents. The team went on to defeat the likes of Denton (21-3), Argyle (8-4), Richland (5-0), Birdville (10-2), Denton Ryan (19-7), and more throughout district play. As the team headed into playoffs, they never slowed down.
Throughout the playoffs, Colleyville Heritage has ended the seasons of Joshua, Fort Worth Brewer, Richland, El Paso Hanks, and Justin Northwest. With impressive victories already in the playoffs-- including a 23-0 victory over Richland, the Lady Panthers have never been more prepared for the next set. Facing a semifinal matchup against Comal Canyon (32-0, 14-0) isn't going to be an easy feat, but the Lady Panthers have what it takes to put up a fight against this undefeated team. Fans can expect to see a great game as Colleyville Heritage looks to punch their ticket to the state championship game. If they win, they will face the winner of Frisco Heritage and Montgomery Lake Creek.
Denton Guyer Lady Wildcats (37-1, 14-0)
6A Semifinal, 7 p.m., Friday, June 2 against Bridgeland
Making their second state tournament appearance, the Lady Wildcats are back at the biggest stage in high school softball for the first time in 13 years. A strong lineup made up of seniors Avery Jefferson, Paige Luzader, Tehya Pitts, juniors Jordan Osborne, Kaylynn and Lauryn Jones, sophomore Briana Willaims, and more, the offense has been causing a ruckus from the start of the season. A strong defense led by freshman pitcher Finley Montgomery (with a 21-0 pitching record on the season) has helped guide the Lady Wildcats to many victories this season. The Lady Wildcats went undefeated through preseason and district play- posting 35 consecutive wins before their first loss came in a playoff battle against Keller just last week. Denton Guyer has defeated the likes of Coppell (15-5), Grapevine (3-2), Wylie (15-6), Denton Braswell (11-0), and more throughout their season.
So far, the Lady Wildcats have already eliminated Flower Mound Marcus, Plano West, Southlake Carroll, and Keller from playofs. The team will be looking to do the same on Friday as they take on Bridgeland (36-7, 13-1) in the state semifinals matchup. Bridgeland, a tough team to matchup with, will work hard to throw Guyer off their track, but the Lady Wildcats definitely have wht it takes to bring the whole thing home this season. Fans can expect nothing short of excellence from this Denton Guyer squad.
Three DFW boys teams compete in the UIL State Tournament
Winter sports are still slowly coming to an end as soccer teams across the state gear up to play in the state tournament this week. Three of the teams still in the running for the state title include the Dallas-Fort Worth area Sachse Mustangs, Allen Eagles, and Frisco Lone Star Rangers. VYPE DFW dives into the remarkable seasons for these three teams and lays out just what fans can expect heading into the games this week!
Frisco Lone Star Rangers (21-1-2, 11-1-2)
Frisco ISD Athletics
Be sure to catch all the UIL State Tournament events!