Twice is nice: Keller captures 2nd consecutive Texas Class 6A state title

Softball pitcher strikes out all 21 in perfect game 9,686 views 1:33

The difficulty of winning one UIL state softball title is mind-boggling enough. Weeks of survival in win-or-go-home series are required just to make it to the final four.
That makes Keller's successful title defense even more impressive.
The Indians defeated Bowie (Austin) 5-1 in Saturday's title game at Red and Charline McCombs Field  at the University of Texas to complete back-to-back championship seasons in the UIL's largest classification of 6A.
Going back to last season, coach Bryan Poehler's team has bested 14 consecutive opponents in either best-of-3 series or in one-game playoffs.
Aside from Keller's accomplishment, this year's state tournament was very good for first-time state qualifiers. Four classification titles were won by schools that previously never made it to the final four.
Here is a recap of the state tournament.

Class 6A

Keller 5, Bowie (Austin) 1
Camryn Woodall went 2-for-4 with two RBIs to lead Keller (36-6-1) to its second consecutive state crown. Sophomore pitcher Dylann Kaderka (30-5) allowed six hits, no walks and struck out five. Brooke Davis had a home run for the Indians.
Senior Sarah Williamson had two hits for Bowie (31-5) and pitcher Alex McLennan drove in the only run for the Bulldawgs. All six runs were scored in the first three innings.
All-tournament team: MVP: Camryn Woodall, Sr., Keller; P-Dylann Kaderka, So., Keller; 1B-Sierra Schottler, Fr., Brennan (San Antonio); 2B-Nikki Gil, Sr., Bowie; 3B-Meagan Ramos, Sr., Bowie; SS-Kasey Simpson, Jr., Keller; OF-Amanda Desario, So., Keller; OF-Caraline Woodall, So., Keller; OF-Jacqueline Ramos, Sr., Bowie.

Class 5A

The Colony 5, Willis 2
Sophomore pitcher Karlie Charles slowed the Willis attack to lead The Colony (33-7) to the title in its first state tournament appearance. Charles (26-3) allowed seven hits and walked one. Offensively, freshman Jaycee Hamlin contributed two hits and three RBIs. Morgan Olson had two hits (including a triple) and drove in one.
For Willis (41-8), Samara Lagway had a home run and Lizzie Zwall chipped in with a hit and an RBI.
All-tournament team: MVP: P-Karlie Charles, So., The Colony; C-Jacee Hamlin, Fr., The Colony; 1B-Suzy Lopez, Jr., Willis; 2B-Camille Corona, So., Dripping Springs; 3B-Samara Lagway, Jr., Willis; SS-Jayda Coleman, Fr., The Colony; OF-Haley Ramsey, Sr., The Colony; OF-Morgan Olson, Sr., The Colony; OF-Hannah Earls, Fr., Willis; Util.-Casey Dixon, Sr., Willis.

The Colony, shown after beating Forney in the region final, handled Willis in the state title game.

Photo by Mike Augustin

Krum 4, Liberty Hill 3
Tristan Bridges allowed five hits and struck out eight to lead Krum (39-4) to a state title in its first final four appearance. The junior (35-4) walked four and allowed only one earned run. Madison Goin (3-for-4) and Avery Williams (2-for-2) each drove in a run for the Lady Cats.
Kinsey Kuhlmann had a triple and drove in a run for Liberty Hill (39-3-1).
All-tournament team: MVP-Tristan Bridges, Jr., Krum; C-Morgan Sebastian, Jr., Krum; 1B-Sam Barnett, Sr., Liberty Hill; 2B-Jessalyn Burkett, So., Jones (Beeville); 3B-Regan Smith, Jr., Krum; SS-Joely Williamson, Sr., Liberty Hill; OF-Maddie Goin, Jr., Krum; OF-McKenna Bruce, Sr., Krum; OF-Carissa Garza, So., Liberty Hill; Util.-Avery Williams, Sr., Krum.

Class 3A

Little River Academy 5, Santa Gertrudis Academy (Kingsville) 3
Gaby Hay was outstanding at the plate and in the circle to lead Little River Academy (37-8) to a state title in its first appearance. On the way to MVP honors, Hay went 2-for-3 and drove in three runs while as a pitcher allowed six hits and no earned runs. Little River Academy scored three runs in the final inning to overcome a 3-2 deficit.
Yadira Lopez led Santa Gertrudis (39-3) with two hits and two RBIs.
All-tournament team: MVP-Gabby Hay, Sr., Little River Academy; C-Destini Hulsey, Sr., Little River Academy; 1B-Bailey Wagner, Jr., Brock; 2B-Ali Salinas, So., Santa Gertrudis; 3B-Jackie De Los Santos, Jr., Santa Gertrudis; SS-Alyssa Gonzalez, Jr., Santa Gertrudis; OF-Lenzi Stewart, Sr., Little River Academy; OF-Makayla Henry, Jr., Little River Academy; OF-Kylah Hulsey, So., Little River Academy; Util.-Saidi Castillo, Jr., Santa Gertrudis.

Class 2A

Bells 7, Shiner 6
Trailing by three runs in the final inning, a dramatic five-run rally carried Bells (32-3) to a state title in its first appearance. Bella Smith homered and winning pitcher Cheyenne Floyd had a two-run double on the way to MVP honors. Floyd had three hits and improved her pitching record to 22-3.
Kassidy Bishop and Kailey Williams contributed two hits and two RBIs for Shiner (25-3-2), trying for a state title three-peat.
All-tournament team: MVP-Cheyenne Floyd, Fr., Bells; C-Ashley Sloan, Jr., Bells; 1B-Claire Patek, Sr., Shiner; 2B-Lauren Schutte, Sr., Shiner; 3B-C.J. Crane, Sr., Bells; SS-Kailey Williams, Jr., Shiner; OF-Mackinly Pilat, Sr., Shiner; OF-Kassidy Bishop, Sr., Shiner; OF-Bella Smith, Fr., Bells; Util.-Kylie Stubbs, Sr., Bells.

Class 1A

Slocum (Elkhart) 10, Hermleigh 0
Jalyn Fletcher pitched a six-hit shutout (the game was halted after five innings by the 10-run mercy rule) to cement a first state title for Slocum (19-14). Fletcher improved her record to 12-0. Taylor Clark and Courtney January had two hits and drove in a run. 
Kami Smith and Kelsey Digby had two hits for Hermleigh (20-2).