2023 Texas high school softball playoffs: Class 3A 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.

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After continuing state tournament competition early on Wednesday, May 31st, the Lone Star State’s top teams in Class 3A will collide in the UIL state title game at 1 p.m. on Thursday, June 1st, to crown a state champion.

Here’s a closer look at all four teams — the Coahoma Bulldogs, Emory Rains Wildcats, Grandview Zebras and Santa Gertrudis Academy Lions — that will be vying for the 3A state championship during the 2023 UIL Softball State Tournament (May 30-June 3).

2023 TEXAS HIGH SCHOOL SOFTBALL PLAYOFFS — CLASS 3A 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 3A state semifinals:

Santa Gertrudis Academy 6, Grandview 3 (Wednesday, May 31st)

W6 Coahoma Bulldogs (34-3) vs. W12 Emory Rains Wildcats (33-7), 1 p.m. on Wednesday, May 31st, at Red & Charline McCombs Stadium at the University of Texas in Austin

Class 3A state title game:

W30 Santa Gertrudis Academy Lions (40-5) vs. TBD, 1 p.m. on Thursday, June 1st, at Red & Charline McCombs Stadium at the University of Texas in Austin

COAHOMA BULLDOGS

Record: 34-3 overall, 14-0 in District 6-3A

How They Got Here: 7-0 postseason record, Region I-3A champs

• Bi-district round — W 12-0 vs. Florence

• Area round — W 4-0 vs. Holliday

• Regional quarterfinals — W 11-0, W 5-0 vs. Henrietta

• Regional semifinals — W 8-3 vs. Bushland

• Regional finals — W 10-0, W 14-1 vs. Lamesa

Offense: 10.5 runs scored per game

Defense: 1.1 runs allowed per game

Head Coach: Alexander Orosco (7th season)

Players to Watch: Sophomore P/1B Hannah Wells (18-1 record; .594 AVG), Freshman C Mia Clemmer (.614 AVG), Sophomore DH Avery Rodriguez (.462 AVG), Junior P/1B Makayla Calvio (14-2 record), Senior SS Christian Everett (.393 AVG), Sophomore RF Kaedyn Lee (.407 AVG), Senior CF Shae Lang (.326 AVG), Sophomore LF Baylor Wright (.323 AVG), Junior 3B Karleigh Burt (.316 AVG)

UIL State Tournament Appearances (Most Recent): 12 (2022)

UIL Softball State Championships (Most Recent): One (1998)

Distance to Red & Charline McCombs Field: 306 miles

EMORY RAINS WILDCATS

Record: 33-7 overall, 11-1 in District 12-3A

How They Got Here: 10-0 postseason record, Region II-3A champs

• Bi-district round — W 3-0, W 12-2 vs. Pottsboro

• Area round — W 17-0, W 7-2 vs. Pilot Point

• Regional quarterfinals — W 6-2, W 9-0 vs. Grand Saline

• Regional semifinals — W 9-3, W 10-3 vs. Hooks

• Regional finals — W 5-1, W 2-1 vs. Whitesboro

Offense: 8.8 runs scored per game

Defense: 2.2 runs allowed per game

Head Coach: Scott Delozier (6th season)

Players to Watch: Sophomore C Emma Knight (.510 AVG), Junior SS Lynzee Hague (.429 AVG), Junior P Cambree Oakes (33-7 record; .509 AVG), Senior CF Avery Songer (.487 AVG), Freshman 3B Presley Kilgore (.429 AVG), Sophomore DH Izzy Stroman (.353 AVG), Sophomore 1B Addi Fuller (.304 AVG)

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

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

Distance to Red & Charline McCombs Field: 242 miles

GRANDVIEW ZEBRAS

Record: 39-3 overall, 10-0 in District 17-3A

How They Got Here: 8-2 postseason record, Region III-3A champs

• Bi-district round — W 10-0, W 18-0 vs. Eustace

• Area round — W 12-4 vs. Rogers

• Regional quarterfinals — L 7-4, W 11-5, W 5-2 vs. Lexington

• Regional semifinals — W 5-0 vs. Orangefield

• Regional finals — W 6-1, L 5-3, W 10-8 vs. Franklin

Offense: 10.2 runs scored per game

Defense: 1.4 runs allowed per game

Head Coach: Leigh Ebner (2nd season)

Players to Watch: Sophomore SS/C Jaley James (.538 AVG), Freshman P/OF Madi Doty (17-1 record; .412 AVG), Junior 1B/3B Bella Jeter (.508 AVG), Senior P/OF Caydin Blackmon (18-1 record; .313 AVG), Senior 3B Olivia Bauerschlag (.448 AVG), Sophomore C/3B Kylie Grafa (.454 AVG), Freshman OF Wren Smith (.367 AVG)

UIL State Tournament Appearances (Most Recent): Two (2018)

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

Distance to Red & Charline McCombs Field: 153 miles

SANTA GERTRUDIS ACADEMY LIONS

Record: 39-5 overall, 10-0 in District 30-3A

How They Got Here: 9-0 postseason record, Region IV-3A champs

• Bi-district round — W 10-0, W 15-0 vs. Goliad

• Area round — W 16-0, W 14-0 vs. Santa Rosa

• Regional quarterfinals — W 23-1, W 12-0 vs. Hebbronville

• Regional semifinals — W 5-4, W 14-12 vs. Hallettsville

• Regional finals — W 5-2 vs. Jourdanton

Offense: 10.6 runs scored per game

Defense: 3.3 runs allowed per game

Head Coach: Thomas De Los Santos (11th season)

Players to Watch: Junior SS Adi Mireles (.523 AVG), Freshman P D’Andra Fernandez (24-4 record), Sophomore 1B Izzy De Los Santos (.496 AVG), Freshman P Lexi Ruiz (15-1 record), Sophomore C Kieana Cruz (.463 AVG), Junior DH/3B Trinity Silguero (.458 AVG), Junior 2B Taylor Reyes (.467 AVG), Junior LF Carina Palacios (.414 AVG), Junior CF Alexxis Moreno (.404 AVG)

UIL State Tournament Appearances (Most Recent): Five (2018)

UIL Softball State Championships (Most Recent): One (2018)

Distance to Red & Charline McCombs Field: 227 miles