High School

2023 Texas high school softball playoffs: Class 4A UIL State Softball Tournament preview

SBLive takes a closer look at the state title picture heading into the Class 4A UIL State Softball Tournament (May 30-June 3)

Andrew McCulloch

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 continuing state tournament competition late on Thursday, June 1st, the Lone Star State’s top teams in Class 4A will collide in the UIL state title game at 10 a.m. on Saturday, June 3rd, to crown a state champion.

Here’s a closer look at all four teams — the Aubrey Chaparrals, Corpus Christi Calallen Wildcats, Decatur Eagles and Liberty Panthers — that will be vying for the 4A state championship during the 2023 UIL Softball State Tournament (May 30-June 3).

2023 TEXAS HIGH SCHOOL SOFTBALL PLAYOFFS — CLASS 4A 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 4A state semifinals:

W20 Liberty Panthers (36-8) vs. W8 Decatur Eagles (30-8-1), 4 p.m. on Thursday, June 1st, at Red & Charline McCombs Stadium at the University of Texas in Austin

W11 Aubrey Chaparrals (34-7) vs. R31 Corpus Christi Calallen Wildcats (28-6-2), 7 p.m. on Thursday, June 1st, at Red & Charline McCombs Stadium at the University of Texas in Austin

Class 4A state title game:

TBD vs. TBD, 10 a.m. on Saturday, June 3rd, at Red & Charline McCombs Stadium at the University of Texas in Austin

DECATUR EAGLES

Record: 30-8-1 overall, 9-1 in District 8-4A

How They Got Here: 9-2 postseason record, Region I-4A champs

  • Bi-district round — W 8-2 vs. Wichita Falls
  • Area round — W 13-0, W 3-1 vs. Sweetwater
  • Regional quarterfinals — W 8-1, W 11-5 vs. Graham
  • Regional semifinals — L 10-0, W 3-0, W 6-5 vs. Dumas
  • Regional finals — L 4-0, W 7-0, W 6-0 vs. Burkburnett

Offense: 7.3 runs scored per game

Defense: 3.0 runs allowed per game

Head Coach: Bryan Chaney (4th season)

Players to Watch: Senior CF Chayse Freeman (.464 AVG), Junior 1B Abby Mosley (.419 AVG), Senior P Macey Jones (19-4 record), Senior SS Kenna Chaney (.389 AVG), Junior 2B Ryanne Murphree (.360 AVG), Sophomore C Madi Moreland (.400 AVG)

UIL State Tournament Appearances (Most Recent): Three (2019)

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

Distance to Red & Charline McCombs Field: 226 miles

AUBREY CHAPARRALS

Record: 34-7 overall, 8-0 in District 11-4A

How They Got Here: 8-1 postseason record, Region II-4A champs

  • Bi-district round — W 16-0 vs. Wilmer-Hutchins
  • Area round — W 10-0, W 16-0 vs. Kennedale
  • Regional quarterfinals — W 12-0, W 13-0 vs. Venus
  • Regional semifinals — L 3-0, W 1-0, W 1-0 vs. Sulphur Springs
  • Regional finals — W 7-2 vs. Van Alstyne

Offense: 8.3 runs scored per game

Defense: 1.8 runs allowed per game

Head Coach: James Ramsey (1st season)

Players to Watch: Sophomore SS Tamia Cherry (.421 AVG), Junior RF Brooklyn Weier (.407 AVG), Junior P/3B Brynlie Dunkin (15-5 record; .398 AVG), Senior 1B/LF Abby Hammett (.287 AVG), Senior CF Bree Jones (.314 AVG), Sophomore 2B Keeli Fuller (.402 AVG), Sophomore P/LF Mya Cherry (16-2 record; .243 AVG)

UIL State Tournament Appearances (Most Recent): Four (2007)

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

Distance to Red & Charline McCombs Field: 238 miles

LIBERTY PANTHERS

Record: 36-8 overall, 10-0 in District 20-4A

How They Got Here: 10-1 postseason record, Region III-4A champs

  • Bi-district round — W 16-1, W 10-0 vs. Lumberton
  • Area round — W 13-1, W 12-0 vs. Gilmer
  • Regional quarterfinals — W 4-2, W 6-2 vs. Little Cypress-Mauriceville
  • Regional semifinals — W 6-4, W 3-1 vs. Burnet
  • Regional finals — L 5-4 in 8 innings, W 7-1, W 2-1 in 8 innings vs. Bullard

Offense: 7.7 runs scored per game

Defense: 2.3 runs allowed per game

Head Coach: Karen Slack (18th season)

Players to Watch: Junior OF Bailee Slack (.483 AVG), Junior C Hollie Thomas (.435 AVG), Senior 3B/SS Reese Evans (.342 AVG), Sophomore OF Abby Vickers (.367 AVG), Sophomore P/2B Brookelyn Taylor (25-4 record; .305 AVG), Senior 1B/DH Alex Wiley (.328 AVG), Sophomore OF Bryana Pantalion (.351 AVG)

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

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

Distance to Red & Charline McCombs Field: 205 miles

CORPUS CHRISTI CALALLEN WILDCATS

Record: 28-6-2 overall, 8-2 in District 31-4A

How They Got Here: 8-0 postseason record, Region IV-4A champs

  • Bi-district round — W 12-0 vs. Port Isabel
  • Area round — W 17-3, W 11-1 vs. Sinton
  • Regional quarterfinals — W 19-1, W 13-3 vs. Corpus Christi Tuloso-Midway
  • Regional semifinals — W 2-1, W 5-3 vs. Needville
  • Regional finals — W 8-1 vs. Boerne

Offense: 8.7 runs scored per game

Defense: 2.3 runs allowed per game

Head Coach: Teresa Flores Lentz (9th season)

Players to Watch: Junior SS Megan Geyer (.534 AVG), Junior 3B Alaunah Almaraz (.532 AVG), Senior DH Gabbi Carrion (.429 AVG), Sophomore C Brookelynn Meador (.472 AVG), Senior OF/C Kaitlin Tagle (.375 AVG), Junior 2B Makenzie Mounts (.362 AVG), Senior P/DH Ryanna Rodela (10-4 record; .351 AVG), Freshman P Jordyn Thibodeaux (19-2 record; .307 AVG)

UIL State Tournament Appearances (Most Recent): Three (2021)

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

Distance to Red & Charline McCombs Field: 185 miles

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Andrew McCulloch
ANDREW MCCULLOCH

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