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2023 Texas high school softball playoffs: Class 1A UIL State Softball Tournament preview

SBLive takes a closer look at the state title picture heading into the Class 1A UIL State Softball Tournament (May 30-June 3)

Andrew McCulloch

2023 Texas high school softball playoffs: Class 1A UIL State Softball Tournament preview
2023 Texas high school softball playoffs: Class 1A UIL State Softball Tournament preview /

After a rollercoaster of a regular season and five wild weeks of postseason action across the Lone Star State, the top teams in the 2023 Texas high school softball playoffs have reached the end of the road on their quest to capture a state title: the 2023 UIL Softball State Tournament.

For five days at the University of Texas’ Red & Charline McCombs Field in Austin, the state’s best players and most elite Class 1A-6A squads will compete for an elusive UIL state championship during the sixth and seventh rounds of the 2023 Texas high school softball playoffs.

After starting state tournament competition on Tuesday, May 30th, the Lone Star State’s top teams in Class 1A will collide in the UIL state title game at 4 p.m. on Wednesday, May 31st, to crown a state champion.

Here’s a closer look at all four teams — the D’Hanis Cowgirls, Dodd City Hornets, Hermleigh Cardinals and Neches Tigers — that will be vying for the 1A state championship during the 2023 UIL Softball State Tournament (May 30-June 3).

2023 TEXAS HIGH SCHOOL SOFTBALL PLAYOFFS — CLASS 1A UIL STATE TOURNAMENT PREVIEW

Editor’s Note: Click on individual matchups to access SBLive's 'Pick 'Em' feature and vote for the teams that you think will win their UIL state tournament matchups in the 2023 Texas high school softball playoffs.

Class 1A state semifinals:

D’Hanis 3, Neches 2 (Tuesday, May 30th)

Hermleigh 9, Dodd City 3 (Tuesday, May 30th)

Class 1A state title game:

W30 D'Hanis Cowgirls (14-6-1) vs. W7 Hermleigh Cardinals (21-6), 4 p.m. on Wednesday, May 31st, at Red & Charline McCombs Stadium at the University of Texas in Austin

HERMLEIGH CARDINALS

Record: 20-6 overall, 4-0 in District 7-1A

How They Got Here: 8-1 postseason record, Region I-1A champs

  • Bi-district round — W 9-2, W 13-0 vs. Cross Plains
  • Regional quarterfinals — W 28-3, W 17-1 vs. Van Horn
  • Regional semifinals — W 9-5, W 12-5 vs. Clyde Eula
  • Regional finals — W 4-1, L 7-3, W 8-3 vs. Gail Borden County

Offense: 11.0 runs scored per game

Defense: 4.3 runs allowed per game

Head Coach: Sammy Winters (2nd season)

Players to Watch: Senior 2B Juli Munoz (.388 AVG), Junior C Sydney Hancock (.315 AVG), Junior P Summer Smith (20-6 record; .500 AVG), Freshman SS Syreah Callaway (.439 AVG), Junior CF Destiney Hopkins (.292 AVG)

UIL State Tournament Appearances (Most Recent): Three (2022)

UIL Softball State Championships (Most Recent): Seeking first UIL state title in program history

Distance to Red & Charline McCombs Field: 285 miles

DODD CITY HORNETS

Record: 9-10-1 overall, 5-7 in District 15-1A

How They Got Here: 4-0 postseason record, Region II-1A champs

  • Bi-district round — BYE
  • Regional quarterfinals — W 10-0 vs. Avalon
  • Regional semifinals — W 10-3, W 18-1 vs. Abbott
  • Regional finals — W 6-3 vs. Blum

Offense: 5.6 runs scored per game

Defense: 5.2 runs allowed per game

Head Coach: Chad Crossland (2nd season)

Players to Watch: Senior P/SS Lindsey Mauppin (7-5 record; .531 AVG), Senior 1B Lindsey Skipper (.340 AVG), Junior SS/P Hannah Burney (.373 AVG, 2-5 record), Junior C Addyson Chaney (.310 AVG)

UIL State Tournament Appearances (Most Recent): Six (2022)

UIL Softball State Championships (Most Recent): One (2021)

Distance to Red & Charline McCombs Field: 271 miles

NECHES TIGERS

Record: 15-3 overall, 10-2 in District 20-1A

How They Got Here: 4-0 postseason record, Region III-1A champs

  • Bi-district round — BYE
  • Regional quarterfinals — W 18-0 vs. Bloomburg
  • Regional semifinals — W 11-0 vs. Saltillo
  • Regional finals — W 6-0, 8-1 vs. Chester

Offense: 7.4 runs scored per game

Defense: 2.2 runs allowed per game

Head Coach: Jenna Jenkins (th season)

Players to Watch: Sophomore 1B Kacie Trimble (.464 AVG), Junior P Jessi Sumpter (15-3 record; .462 AVG), Sophomore SS Joely Jenkins (.458 AVG), Senior RF Abigail Fletcher (.340 AVG), Sophomore C Rylee Jowell (.354 AVG)

UIL State Tournament Appearances (Most Recent): Making first UIL Softball State Tournament appearance in school history

UIL Softball State Championships (Most Recent): None

Distance to Red & Charline McCombs Field: 209 miles

D’HANIS COWGIRLS

Record: 13-6-1 overall, 3-1 in District 30-1A

How They Got Here: 5-0 postseason record, Region IV-1A champs

  • Bi-district round — BYE
  • Regional quarterfinals — W 10-0 vs. San Perlita
  • Regional semifinals — W 11-0, W 14-0 vs. Pettus
  • Regional finals — W 10-0, W 23-6 vs. Slocum

Offense: 11.9 runs scored per game

Defense: 5.5 runs allowed per game

Head Coach: Jose Martinez (5th season)

Players to Watch: Junior P/C Kayla Looper (10-3 record; .727 AVG), Sophomore OF Ryan Magers (.490 AVG), Senior 2B Jolie Frosch (.467 AVG), Junior 3B/P Peyton Burell (.426 AVG; 3-3 record), Sophomore OF Jenna Frosch (.442 AVG), Junior OF Alysha Garcia (.413 AVG), Senior 1B Brighton Beard (.363 AVG)

UIL State Tournament Appearances (Most Recent): Six (2022)

UIL Softball State Championships (Most Recent): Two (2022)

Distance to Red & Charline McCombs Field: 128 miles

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Andrew McCulloch
ANDREW MCCULLOCH

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