Bridgeland Coach Candi Weige speaks with her team, following their appearance in the State Semis
Photo by: Matthew Ogle (VYPE)
Despite their unfortunate defeat (3-6) against Denton Guyer in the UIL-6A State Semis, the Bears displayed remarkable grit and class throughout this year’s postseason
From their statement win in the Region II Finals, to exchanging blows with a heavy-hitter like Guyer, the Cy-Fair ISD reps did not disappoint in the slightest.
Matthew Ogle (VYPE)
Senior OF/P Haylie Stum
“Our chemistry is uncanny,” said senior OF/P Haylie Stum. “We just trust each other, and when we go down, we’re never out. The resiliency of this team is crazy and I hope that continues after I leave. To go out like this was great–we fought to the very end.”
Even more so, the culture and mentality of the composite group is what distinguished this Bridgeland team as one of the most watchable in the Houston area, if not the state.
Matthew Ogle (VYPE)
“There’s only one word that comes to mind when I think about what it was like to coach this group: Blessed,” said Candi Weige. “We are blessed, I am blessed. These girls have fought time and time again to be able to get here [the State Semifinals]. They did, and they showed out. I could not be more proud of them.”
During their playoff run, the major players--Stum (.439 BA, 19 RBI, 3 HR), senior 3B Trinity Allen (.378 BA, 10 RBI, 3 HR), and senior catcher Lilli Piersons (.447 BA, 12 RBI, 3 HR)--helped to elevate the Bears to new heights, serving as the “big sisters” of the young group.
Senior Catcher Lilli PiersonsMatthew Ogle (VYPE)
“I loved being able to be a leader to these girls,” said Piersons. “They’ve helped me grow in so many aspects of my life–not just as an athlete, but personally as well. We’ve been through so much together and it’s such a blessing to have had a season like ours.”
Piersons’ soon-to-be teammate at McLennan, Trinity Allen, takes that one step further.
Both Trinity and her younger sister Chayne (Jr. OF) have played alongside one another for their entire softball careers. It seems only appropriate that the pair made history in their final season on the same field.
Senior 3B Trinity AllenMatthew Ogle (VYPE)
“It’s been incredible,” said Trinity. “We’ve just fed off each other’s energy and when one of us has been down, the other would pick us back up. But, playing with Chayne--I’ve learned a lot from her because she leads in her own way. Bridgeland is going to keep thriving with her in the program.”
“Playing with Trinity has been wonderful,” Chayne said. “I continue to see her set an example, on and off the field–holding people accountable. I can’t wait to see what she does at McLennan.”
Chayne and junior RHP Sydney Jackson--2.04 ERA, 82 Ks in the playoffs--will be the next in line to step up as the leaders of the program, moving forward. Both understand they’ll have some big shoes to fill.
Junior RHP Sydney JacksonMatthew Ogle (VYPE)
“The seniors were great role models, and I want to help keep that legacy going on,” said Jackson. “There’s a great group of younger classmen here, and we’ll have several of them starting next year. I think anybody on this team can stand up and become a leader moving forward.”
Count on the next generation of Bridgeland Softball making another run, a year from now, with the intention of breaking more barriers.
“This team has set something in stone that nobody will ever be able to take away from them,” said coach Weige. “The standard has been set for all these classes to come in, and now we know what it takes to make it to this point.”
Matthew Ogle (VYPE)
The Class 6A State Champions: Pearland Lady Oilers Softball
Photo by: Matthew Ogle (VYPE)
Senior left-hander Abigail Gutierrez delivered the final pitch of her high school career, which would result in a 5-4-3 double play. A period of anticipatory silence fell upon the crowd as they awaited the umpire’s gesture--out.
Mayhem erupted as the Pearland dugout raced onto McCombs Field in celebration of the one desirable outcome to the season they would accept.
Matthew Ogle (VYPE)
Pearland's Abigail Gutierrez
For the third time in school history, the Lady Oilers had become UIL-6A State Champions–capping off a season that showcased the team’s resiliency.
“[Our greatest strength is] definitely the fact that we have one common goal to win–to prove people wrong,” said Gutierrez. “We’ve been the underdogs over the past few years, and now we’re officially on top–we’re No. 1 in the state. Proving people wrong is what really puts that fire under our butts.”
Soon-to-be Texas A&M Aggie, Hailey Golden (Sr. OF), added to that sentiment.
“I’d say the trust in one another,” she said. “We trust each other, and we know that we’ve got each other’s backs. That’s what we had to do, to put up runs and play the way that we have.”
Pearland Softball Stars detail their State Championship seasonwww.youtube.com
After a 3-2 slugfest against San Benito in the State Semis, Pearland compiled ten hits to defeat Denton Guyer 4-2 in the season finale.
Golden contributed three of those, plus two RBIs, earning her the title of Class 6A’s State MVP.
Pearland's Hailey Golden admires her first UIL gold medalMatthew Ogle (VYPE)
In addition, sophomore outfielder Kaylee Schweitzer went 1-for-2, with an RBI, while UT-Arlington-signee Gutierrez compiled six strikeouts in her two-hit win on the mound.
“These kids made this one so special,” said coach Laneigh Clark. “When we lost out in the Regional Tournament, last year against Deer Park, they took it hard. They said that they wanted to be back at Regionals and be able to win it to come to State. They set a goal and that’s what they did.”
Coach Clark and Kristyn Whitlock embrace following their Title winMatthew Ogle (VYPE)
This championship marks Clark’s second as Pearland’s head coach, in her 25th season with the program.
For the seniors--Golden (OF), Gutierrez (LHP), Kristyn Whitlock (SS), Kennedy Drafton (2B), Darian De Leon (OF), just to name a few--they will cap off their final season with a record of 40-3, bringing their career total to an immaculate 108-28-2.
Whitlock, who will be extending her playing career at Sam Houston State University in the ensuing school year, began to detail what the program has meant to her.
Pearland's Kristyn WhitlockMatthew Ogle (VYPE)
“This place has been my home for the last four years,” she said. “I have loved being here–”
The emotionally bittersweet ending to her high school journey had finally kicked in. Tears filled Whitlock’s eyes as she became choked up.
Gutierrez would finish the thought for her teammate.
“We’ve all built a nest here. We’ve all gotten to the point where we have a great relationship with these coaches and with each other. To leave that and move on is such a hard thing to do. But, we all know that we’re going to be on the bus traveling to watch each other play, and rooting each other on–even when we’re seniors in college.”
Matthew Ogle (VYPE)
This team will be remembered for years to come.
Pearland’s supporters will now be traveling back to Austin this week, in hopes of watching their baseball team finish their own season in a similar fashion at the State Tournament.
Lake Creek's Kalee Rochinski & Maddie McKee
Photo by Matthew Ogle (VYPE)
Senior right-hander Ava Brown winded up for the final pitch of her high school career, and just as she had done countless times before--strikeout.
With the iconic sound of the ball slapping into the catcher’s mitt, the Lake Creek crowd and dugout were sent into a frenzy. They were state champions, yet again.
Almost immediately, tears began to stream down the face of the soon-to-be Florida Gator.
Matthew Ogle (VYPE)
“I was just so proud--so proud of all the people in the stands there for us, so proud for all the people behind me and everybody in the dugout,” Brown said. “You know, our bats came alive, our defense was great--we were solid. I had a full team effort in the game and that’s all I can ask for.”
As any fan would hope, the Lions’ bout with NB Canyon was won with style.
Brown earned her second-consecutive UIL-5A MVP award, having struck out 15 in her one-hit shutout, while tacking on an RBI at-bat.
Other key contributors included senior DH Payton Bauer, who compiled three RBIs, and Piper White (Jr. OF) who drove in two of her own, while LSU-signee Maddie McKee (Sr. SS) scored two on the bases–culminating in an 8-0 victory for the No. 1 team in the nation.
Senior SS Maddie McKeeMatthew Ogle (VYPE)
“We all just played together,” said McKee. “There’s a bunch of freshmen, a bunch of seniors. So, we all just came together as one. Playing with your best friends is something that you can never forget. It was just really fun to come out here and win.”
Lake Creek’s final record of the 2023 season was capped off at 44-1, bringing the seniors’ career total to 138-4--almost assuredly making them the most dominant high school softball club that the state, perhaps the nation, has ever seen.
BACK2BACK: Stars of Lake Creek Softball reflect on winning another UIL State Titlewww.youtube.com
Coach Michelle Rochinski has had the pleasure of directing this group of elite seniors over the past four years--one of whom is her own daughter, Kalee Rochinksi (Sr. C), who will soon be playing at UTSA.
“It’s not easy going back-to-back,” she said. “The way that this team had to fight all year with that target on their back–I’ve got to give the credit to the kids. From day one, when they walked into Lake Creek, they knew what their goal was. I’m so proud of them and I couldn’t be any happier.”
Coach Michelle Rochinski accepts the UIL Coach of the Year Award, alongside her familyMatthew Ogle (VYPE)
Tears began to well up in the now-retired Rochinski’s eyes as she discussed coaching her daughter through her career.
“Well, it’s been fun watching them all grow up, playing the game that they love. To be able to coach Kalee the last four years--I wouldn’t take anything back. I’ve enjoyed every moment of it, through the ups and downs. It hasn’t been easy for her, but I have to give her credit. She did a phenomenal job.”
Earlier in the postseason–after defeating Barbers Hill in the Regional Semis--Kalee Rochinski described that their effort throughout the year was “for the city.”
Senior Catcher Kalee RochinskiMatthew Ogle (VYPE)
She had one thing to say to the team’s mass of fans who drove to Austin to witness history being made.
“Thank you for the support throughout all four seasons in our high school career,” she said. “Thanks for all the energy you brought, and traveling with us wherever we played. Just thank you.”
To cap off her stunning career, Ava Brown summed up the Lions' heritage with perfection.
"I think we left a legacy and showed our county how awesome female sports are to watch--how awesome female athletes are," said Brown. "I hope that legacy continues across the county, and through all sports. For the girls to come, show them that you are fun to watch and people will come watch you when you put on a show. I hope that's something we can leave for the rest of high school softball."
Similar to their pre-game hype song–“Hair Up” from the movie Trolls –Lake Creek Softball’s legacy will go down as an all-time great.
Matthew Ogle (VYPE)
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