GAMES
RANKINGS
THE HUNGER WITHIN: Tomball Softball Eyes State in Regional Rematch
Few softball teams in Texas are as scorching as Tomball right now. The surge is hardly surprising, especially after last season’s breakthrough run that carried the Cougars four rounds deep into the postseason.
What makes their rise even more notable is how recent it’s been. After years of finishing just outside the playoff picture, the group has transformed into a bona fide contender with Alyssa Thompson now in her third season at the helm.
Once again, the Cougars find themselves in familiar territory. Sitting at 29-3, Tomball enters the Region II Final set to face Forney — the very team that ended their season last May. This time, however, the stakes come with a twist: a best-of-three series instead of a single-elimination showdown.
With a chance to secure their first State Final Four berth since 2005, we take an in-depth look at the Tomball Cougars as they prepare for a crucial series against Forney — and the journey that led them to this point.
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Check out the full spotlight feature below!
The stars of 2025-26 Tomball Baseball
CALLING THE SHOTS: Sampson, Hopkins reinforce No. 4 Tomball's imposing presence
No. 4 -- Tomball Cougars
Tomball came within a heartbeat of repeating in 2025, falling 5-4 to Kingwood in the 6A Division II State Championship to finish as the runner-up. Under 15th-year head coach Doug Rush—who has 388 wins at Tomball and 635 overall—the Cougars return four starters from a 34-7-1 squad, bringing considerable poise back to the diamond.

Leading the way is the team’s cornerstone battery: All-State pitcher CJ Sampson and catcher Hopkins, both signed with Texas A&M. Seniors Daniel O’Briant (Hill College) and Jackson Morrow (Trinity) add depth, while first-team all-district outfielder Brady Burrow and second-team third baseman Nolan Rush provide steady offensive firepower.
The roster is rounded out by versatile contributors including Jay Sralla (Jr. IF/RHP), Corbin Cook (Sr. 2B), Colton Igal (Jr. RHP), Blake Edling (Jr. LHP/IF), and Hunter Myers (Jr. IF).
For Rush, the blueprint for 2026 is simple: “Play as a team.”
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