6A DI State Champs: Katy Tigers

AUSTIN — From the moment Katy arrived in Austin, the Lady Tigers looked like a team on a mission.

On Saturday evening, that mission was accomplished as Katy defeated Forney 7-2 to secure the program’s third UIL state championship and first since 2019.

Behind a championship performance from freshman pitcher Haley Schmitt and a balanced offensive attack that produced 10 hits, the Lady Tigers captured the UIL Class 6A Division II State Championship at Red & Charline McCombs Field and added another trophy to one of Texas high school softball’s most accomplished traditions.

The title marked Katy’s fourth trip to the UIL State Tournament. The Lady Tigers previously reached Austin in 2007 before capturing state championships in both 2015 and 2019. Now, seven years after their last state tournament appearance, Katy has once again climbed to the top of Class 6A softball.

Standing across the field was a Forney team making its first appearance in a state championship game. The Lady Jackrabbits entered the contest with a 37-4 record and one of the state’s top pitchers in Avery Pitts, but Katy wasted little time establishing control.

The Lady Tigers struck first in the opening inning.

After Kassidy Minnick and EllaKate Smith reached base, junior first baseman Evie Willemssen lined a two-out double into the left-center field gap, driving home both runners and giving Katy an early 2-0 advantage. The clutch hit immediately swung momentum toward the Lady Tigers and showcased an offensive approach that would continue throughout the evening.

Forney responded in the bottom of the third inning, taking advantage of a Katy error to trim the lead to 2-1. But every time the Lady Jackrabbits threatened, Katy answered.

In the fourth inning, Abby Eldridge drove home a run with a groundout before Alexis Waugh followed with an RBI single to center field, extending the lead to 4-1.

Two innings later, Eldridge delivered the biggest swing of the night.

With Addi Fail aboard, the sophomore outfielder crushed a two-run home run to deep left field, pushing the Katy lead to 6-1 and sending the Lady Tiger faithful into celebration mode. The blast capped a tremendous night for Eldridge, who finished 2-for-3 with a home run and three RBIs.

Katy added another insurance run in the seventh inning and never allowed Forney to mount a serious comeback.

While the offense delivered throughout the lineup, the story of the championship belonged to freshman pitcher Haley Schmitt.

Making the biggest start of her young career, Schmitt showed poise beyond her years.

The freshman right-hander threw a complete game, allowing just five hits and two runs while striking out eight and walking only two. Even more impressive, neither run allowed by Schmitt was earned. Facing one of the state’s best offenses on the biggest stage in Texas softball, she consistently worked out of trouble and delivered pitch after pitch when Katy needed it most.

Her performance earned her State Championship Game MVP honors and capped a remarkable freshman season that concluded with a 17-1 record.

Offensively, Katy received contributions from throughout the lineup.

Eldridge’s three RBIs led the way, while Willemssen added a double and two RBIs. Maddie Smith collected two hits, and Addi Fail finished 2-for-3 while scoring twice. EllaKate Smith added a double and scored a run as the Lady Tigers continually put pressure on the Forney defense.

One of the biggest differences in the game came in clutch situations.

Katy recorded five two-out RBIs and hit .429 with two outs, repeatedly delivering when opportunities presented themselves. The Lady Tigers finished with 10 hits and turned nearly every scoring chance into momentum.

Forney battled throughout the contest and was led by Alexis Blanton, who finished 2-for-3. Kambree Wilson, Carlee Rabal, and Kylah Price each added hits for the Lady Jackrabbits. Pitts fought through seven innings in the circle, but Katy’s offense proved too much to overcome.

Forney’s historic season ended just one win shy of a championship, but the Lady Jackrabbits established themselves among the state’s elite and gave their fans a season to remember.

For Katy, however, this night belonged to the Lady Tigers.

A freshman MVP. A veteran lineup. Another championship trophy.

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7		R	H	E
Katy	2	0	0	2	0	2	1		7	10	4
Forney	0	0	1	0	0	0	1		2	5	2

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Top Performers

Katy
• Haley Schmitt (State Championship Game MVP): 7 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 8 K
• Abby Eldridge: 2-for-3, HR, 3 RBI
• Evie Willemssen: 1-for-4, 2B, 2 RBI
• Maddie Smith: 2-for-4
• Addi Fail: 2-for-3, 2 runs scored

Forney
• Alexis Blanton: 2-for-3
• Carlee Rabal: 1-for-4
• Kambree Wilson: 1-for-2
• Kylah Price: 1-for-2