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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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Concordia Lutheran's Faith Keiper
THE MENTAL GAME: Keiper turning pitching into an art-form
To put her talents in perspective, this past Spring season, Keiper racked up nearly 150 strikeouts on the mound. At the plate she averaged an even .500, which included 14 RBIs and two home-runs to earn herself second-team, all-state honors.
Just how did she embark upon her prolific career?
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
“I’ve always played softball, since I was eight years old,” she said. “I started because my Dad was a baseball player, and I loved joining in on the fun with him and my brother.
Since then, my strength has always been pitching. After going to a sports psychologist, I’ve gotten into a routine on the mound. I focus on the spot that I intend for the ball to go, and I block everything else out. You have to keep checking on your mental game, otherwise you’ll go insane.”
The experience with sports psychology sparked an interest in pursuing that as a career path.
“Ideally, I want to go to a school that places emphasis on both my academics and softball,” said Keiper. “I’m really about school and I hate missing classes. I’ll get so stressed when I have to make up work.
If I can get into a program that allows me to put my studies first while also continuing my softball career would be the perfect situation for me.”
Surprisingly, Keiper’s strongest academic attribute doesn’t even come in the traditional sense.
“I don’t know if you would count this, but my favorite subject is art class,” she said. “I’m in Art IV-AP right now. I love to paint, typically depicting scenes in nature such as landscapes. It’s always been a passion of mine.”
But, back to softball. The Crusaders are coming off an impressive campaign, which saw them reach the TAPPS-D1 Regional Round, following their 10-0 thrashing over Nolan Catholic.
2023-24 Concordia Lutheran SoftballBradley C. Collier (VYPE)
While they will be under new leadership in 2025, the presence of Concordia Lutheran’s star pitcher is unlikely to falter.
“My goal this season is to be a good teammate and perform the best that I can as a role model,” Keiper said. “Statistically speaking, I hope to pass the 200-strikeout mark and help to lead this team back to the playoffs. I also want to keep up my batting average, while I’m at it.”
Next Spring will mark Keiper’s final stretch of her high school career. Hopefully, all signs should point to it being her masterpiece