National No. 1 Melissa sets national high school softball record with 106 home runs

Texas powerhouse accomplished the feat in 33 games, breaking previous record set in 39 contests.

Thumbnail image of this articles writer: Thomas Frey
By
May 8, 2025, 5:00pm
Texas powerhouse Melissa set the national record in the third inning when Paisley Needham hit the 106th home run by a Cardinals player this season.

The bomb puts Melissa ahead of the 2022 North DeSoto (Stonewall, La.), which launched 105 bombs in 39 games. The Cardinals finished the night with three home runs to bring their total to 107 on the year.

Melissa is ranked No. 1 nationally and broke the record in 33 games during the UIL Class 5A Division 1 regional semifinals tonight against Midlothian.

The Cardinals came into the game with 104 home runs. 

Sophomore Izzy Gonzales put Melissa at 105 in the third inning when she barrelled her 10th home run of the season to center.

Melissa broke the record on the very next batter when senior Paisley Needham crushed the ball to deep left field. The Melissa squad greeted her in celebration at home plate as she set the record with her 10th bomb of the year.

Texas commit Caigan Crabtree added home run 107 in the fifth inning to give Melissa an 11-1 lead.

Melissa started the season by hitting 20 home runs in the first four games. Last year the Cardinals hit a then-Texas record 92 home runs. Hutton Adrian led that squad with 22 dingers as a freshman, this year she has 15.

Crabtree and Florida pledge Kennedy Bradley also topped 20 bombs last season.

The Cardinals are now 33-0 after the 13-1 win in Game 1. The best-of-three series will continue tomorrow night on NFHS Network.
No. 1 Melissa (TX) cheers for Amariee Bradford as she runs to home plate after smacking an April 17 home run. The Cardinals are the national high school softball record holders with 106 home runs in one season. (PHOTO: Michael Horbovetz)
No. 1 Melissa (TX) cheers for Amariee Bradford as she runs to home plate after smacking an April 17 home run. The Cardinals are the national high school softball record holders with 106 home runs in one season. (PHOTO: Michael Horbovetz)
Everything is clicking for the Cardinals as they look to defend their state championship from last season. Offensively, Melissa averages 13.4 runs per game.

Defensively, the Cardinals have allowed just 30 runs all season. Sophomore pitcher Eloisa Maes is 25-0 with a 1.22 earned run average with 192 strikeouts.

Full list of Melissa home run hitters in 2025
Kennedy Bradley, 23
Finlee Williams, 16
Caigan Crabtree, 16
Hutton Adrian, 15
Izzy Gonzales, 10
Paisley Needham, 10
Rihanna Wheeler, 7
Amariee Bradford, 6
Gabby Kuerhler, 2
Emmy Mabry, 1
Hattie Winter, 1

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