6A DI State Champs: Pearland Lady Oilers
admin | May 30th, 2026
AUSTIN — Pearland softball has officially added another chapter to one of Texas high school softball’s most accomplished traditions.
Behind a dominant performance from State Championship Game MVP Madelyn Guzman and a decisive four-run third inning, the Lady Oilers defeated defending state champion Waco Midway 6-3 Saturday afternoon at Red & Charline McCombs Field to capture the UIL Class 6A Division I State Championship. Pearland finished the season 39-6 and secured the fourth state championship in program history.
The title was the culmination of a remarkable season and another milestone for one of the state’s most successful programs. Pearland has now reached the UIL State Tournament eight times, with appearances in 1995, 1996, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2016, 2023 and 2026. The Lady Oilers previously captured state championships in 1996, 2010 and 2023, and Saturday’s victory added a fourth trophy to the school’s collection.
Standing in their way was a Waco Midway program that entered Austin as the defending 6A Division I state champion and owner of a 35-6-1 record. The Pantherettes had proven all season they were capable of making another title run, but Pearland seized control midway through the contest and never relinquished it.
After two scoreless innings, the Lady Oilers delivered the game’s defining rally in the top of the third.
Pearland loaded the bases and capitalized on a series of opportunities. Payton Powell was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded to force home the first run. Moments later, Elaina Njus reached on an error that allowed another run to score. Olivia Matejka followed with an RBI walk before Edrea Smith added a sacrifice fly, giving Pearland a commanding 4-0 advantage.
The four-run inning immediately shifted momentum to the Lady Oilers.
Pearland continued to apply pressure in the fifth inning when Mya Meza singled home Abigail Brooks to extend the lead to 5-0. An inning later, Matejka added another RBI single to make it 6-0 and provide valuable insurance against the defending champions.
While the offense produced 11 hits, the story of the afternoon was Guzman.
The senior right-hander was named the State Championship Game MVP after throwing a complete game against one of the state’s most dangerous lineups. Guzman scattered seven hits, allowed three runs, walked two, and struck out nine across seven innings to earn her 28th victory of the season.
Midway finally broke through in the sixth inning on an RBI single by Lilly Davis and added two more runs in the seventh on Kallei Alvarado’s two-run double. But every time the Pantherettes threatened, Guzman found another big pitch to keep Pearland in control.
Offensively, Pearland received contributions throughout the lineup.
Anison Lopez led the attack with a 3-for-4 performance and scored a run. Layla Bennett collected two hits, while freshman Olivia Matejka drove in two runs. Powell added an RBI double and scored twice, while Njus and Meza each contributed RBIs. Pearland finished with 11 hits and reached base consistently throughout the afternoon.
Defensively, the Lady Oilers were flawless.
Pearland committed no errors while Midway was charged with three miscues, a difference that proved significant in a championship game decided by three runs. The Lady Oilers also converted every defensive opportunity and finished with a perfect fielding percentage.
Midway was led by junior shortstop Kallei Alvarado, who finished a perfect 3-for-3 with two doubles and two RBIs. Lilly Davis added an RBI single, but the Pantherettes were unable to overcome Pearland’s early surge.
For Pearland, the championship represented more than just another trophy.
It marked the return of one of Texas softball’s traditional powers to the top of Class 6A. Three years after winning the 2023 state championship and 16 years after capturing the 2010 crown, the Lady Oilers once again finished the season as the final team standing.
Eight state tournament appearances.
Four state championships.
And now another banner will hang in Pearland.
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | R | H | E | ||
| Pearland | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 11 | 0 | |
| Midway | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 7 | 3 |
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Top Performers
Pearland
• Madelyn Guzman (State Championship Game MVP): 7 IP, 7 H, 3 R, 2 BB, 9 K
• Anison Lopez: 3-for-4, run scored
• Olivia Matejka: 2-for-3, 2 RBI
• Layla Bennett: 2-for-5
• Payton Powell: 1-for-2, double, RBI, 2 runs scored
Waco Midway
• Kallei Alvarado: 3-for-3, 2 doubles, 2 RBI
• Lilly Davis: 1-for-3, RBI
• Peyton Phillip: 1-for-3
