GAMES
RANKINGS
TWCA's Alexis Osterhaus
ON A MISSION: Osterhaus a central figure in TWCA Softball's stunning resurgence
With that experience under their belts, paired with the much more considerable depth the team features this time around, expectations have never been higher.
“Last year, people didn’t know what we were capable of, and we definitely made a name for ourselves,” said Osterhaus. “I feel that, heading into this season, we’ve polished off every single player that we have, and every fundamental behind what we can do. I genuinely believe that people have an idea of what could happen with us, but we have more than what they expect.”
Individually, Osterhaus was given a first-team, all-district nod for her efforts, in addition to receiving a TAPPS all-state honorable mention.
From the third base spot, she’s fine-tuned numerous recognizable attributes that’s made her the renowned player she is today.
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
“I think I’m extremely athletic and quick-witted,” she said. “So, if a ball is coming my way, my reflexes are able to kick in rapidly. Not everyone has the ‘softball mindset’ sometimes, which just means being decisive in the key moments, but I just feel that comes naturally to me from my position.”
While some athletes have been a part of The Woodlands Christian Academy school system from the beginning, Osterhaus transferred during her sophomore year, from a places he describes as a “little town” in Maine.
Though that would be a significant change for anyone, the move has made all the difference.
“The whole reason why I moved from Maine to Texas was for competitive softball,” she said. “My freshman year there, I made the newspaper cover because I like to think I was something of a ‘big fish in a small pond’. But my family and I thought it would be best for my high school experience and better collegiate opportunities to move down here.
“I definitely think that it has challenged me because I’ve played girls who are better than me, which has helped me to improve and become more competitive. I see now that it was God’s blessing and I’m also just grateful to have been part of this community."
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THE RANKINGS: VYPE's Private School Softball Top 5
No. 2 - Episcopal Knights
This is the softball dynasty in Houston. In 2024, Episcopal captured the SPC 4A Championship after going 22-10 overall. This marked the Knights’ seventh-straight SPC crown and the eighth in 10 years. Episcopal has won 22 SPC crowns in program history. Caitlin Cain enters her seventh year of leading this program and notched coaching win No. 100 last year. Episcopal is set to return eight starters including All-SPC selection Gianna Lewis, who is committed to Stephen F. Austin. Last year, Lewis hit .406 with six homers for the Knights. Other key returners include all-district pitcher Jordan Bey, and all-staters Hayleigh Hubbard (.359, 3 HR, 13 stolen bases) and Alexis Johnson (.340, 3 HR, 25 stolen bases). Keys to success for Cain’s squad this year include having strong pitching, aggressive base-running and clean defense. Their motto for 2025 is very numerical as “8-23” represents their quest for an eighth-straight SPC title and 23rd overall.
No. 3 - The Woodlands Christian Academy Warriors
Joshua Culp enters year two of leading The Woodlands Christian Academy on the diamond. Last year, the Warriors went 17-4 overall and reached the Regionals Round of the TAPPS Division II playoffs. Seven starters return for Culp including Clemson-commit Keira Crosby (.725, 11 HR, 32 RBIs; 13-1, 85.2 IP, 194 Ks, 1.39 ERA). Crosby was named first-team, all-state. Texas A&M-commit Reagan Rohrlich (.690, 1 HR, 49 runs scored) is also back after being named second-team, all-state in 2024. Another player to watch is Army-commit Alexis Osterhaus, who was honorable mention, all-state after hitting .500 with five homers and swiping 10 bases. Other players to watch include second-team, alldistrict pick Ashlyn Culp (.364, 17 RBIs), honorable mention, all-district selection Marissa Clarke (.286, 17 RBIs; 4-2, 33 IP, 45K, 4.50 ERA), Kate Rouswell and Alison Chandler. Keys to success for Culp’s crew include staying healthy, having quality at-bats and “limiting physical errors while eliminating mental errors”.
No. 4 - Fort Bend Christian Academy Eagles
Fort Bend Christian Academy went 14-6 a year ago and look to build off that with a relatively young squad. FBCA reached the Regionals Round of the Division II TAPPS playoffs. The Eagles return an impressive 10 starters, including second-team, all-state selection Reese Heflin (.390 batting average; 2.80 ERA, 108 Ks). Also returning for the Eagles are first-team, all-district pick Ariel Yee (.462) and second teamers Fallon Gerke (.370) and Jaleigh Bullard (.385). Other players to watch include Allie Guillot and Ella Romo. Kelli Jacoby enters her fourth year of leading the FBCA program but it is her 18th year on campus. Keys to success for her squad this year include having dedication, outworking everyone and “playing for something greater than yourself”. This FBCA team is loaded with talent and ready for another run at a state crown.
No. 5 - Lutheran South Academy Pioneers
The Pioneers are coming off a 20-win campaign in 2024 that saw them reach the Regional Round of the TAPPS Division II Playoffs. Eighth-year coach Nicole Andrade, who got her 100th career coaching victory in 2024, returns six starters as the Pioneers seek a 10th-straight year of making the playoffs. Wichita State-commit Addi Smith will lead the way after batting .448 with 12 homers and 45 RBIs last season. Smith was named second-team, all-state. Fellow second-team, all-state pick Bri Collazo returns after hitting .402 with nine homers and 39 RBIs. Other key returners include second-team, all-district picks Emily Bankson (.317, 28 RBIs) and Jill Whitehead (.386) and honorable mention, alldistrict selections Jadyn Maldonado (.333, 16 RBIs) and Ava Zamora (.366). Keys to success for the Pioneers this year include having great team chemistry, a strong team bond, winning mentality as a team culture and a strong offense, according to Andrade.