Harlingen South punches ticket to UIL 5A state softball championship game

Story and photo by Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2024 All Rights Reserved

GEORGETOW, TEXAS (May 31, 2024)  For the first time in school history, the Harlingen South Lady Hawks have advanced to the 5A UIL State Championship title game in softball. 

The Lady Hawks competed against the Aledo Ladycats at East View High School in Georgetown. The game was thrilling and intense, with the Lady Hawks winning by a narrow margin of 1-0. This victory was particularly impressive given the tough competition they faced.

The playoffs were originally supposed to be held at Red & Charline McCombs Field in Austin. However, due to bad weather, the location was changed to East View High School. Despite this change, the Lady Hawks stayed focused and played their best game.

Now, the Lady Hawks are gearing up for their next big challenge. They will compete against the Melissa Cardinals in the championship round. The Melissa Cardinals earned their spot in the championship by defeating Lake Belton with a score of 4-0 on Friday morning.

The state championship game is set to take place at Red & Charline McCombs Field in Austin. The first pitch will be at 1 p.m. on Saturday, June 1. 

Melissa softball downs Lake Belton in UIL state semifinal

Photo by Darla S Tamulitis, La Vita Loca Photography        Copyright 2024 All Rights Reserved

By Robert H. Kelly
Copyright 2024 All Rights Reserved

AUSTIN, TEXAS (May 31, 2024) The Melissa Cardinals (shown above) added another impressive win to their record on Friday as they defeated Lake Belton 4-0 in the Class 5A state semifinal, played at the University of Texas' Red & Charline McCombs Field.

Caigan CrabtreeCaigan Crabtree, a standout player whom has committed to Texas, had a fantastic game. She went 3-for-3 at the plate, hitting RBI doubles in the first and third innings. She also made a spectacular leaping catch at shortstop in the fourth inning. Thanks to Crabtree’s stellar performance, Melissa secured their spot in the state title game, which will take place on Saturday at 1 p.m. against Harlingen SouthHarlingen South.

Melissa is hoping to become the first Dallas-area team to win a UIL softball state title since Forney did in 2018. Freshman second baseman Amariee Bradford hit her seventh home run of the season in the bottom of the sixth inning, giving Melissa a state-record total of 90 home runs for the season. This total ranks them second in national history, with only Stonewall North Desoto from Louisiana having hit more, with 105 homers in 2022.

Melissa’s team features three of the most prolific sluggers in state history. Freshman Hutton Adrian has hit 22 home runs, breaking the Dallas-area single-season record. Sophomore Kennedy Bradley has 20 homers, and junior Caigan Crabtree has 19. Together, these three players have combined for 186 hits, 116 extra-base hits, and 180 RBIs in 39 games this season.

The game started an hour late due to bad weather, but Melissa wasn’t fazed. Bradley singled in the first inning, and Crabtree followed with an RBI double to put Melissa on the board. In the third inning, Bradley singled again, and Crabtree hit another RBI double. Bradford added a sacrifice fly, scoring Crabtree and giving Melissa a 3-0 lead.

Bradley, who transferred to Melissa from Prosper Rock Hill, had shoulder surgery last year and couldn’t swing a bat for six months. But she showed her strength by going 2-for-3 in the game. Melissa’s pitcher, Alex Starr, a Michigan State pledge, pitched a three-hit shutout, stranding six runners and improving her record to 28-1.

Lake Belton, who had averaged 6.8 runs per game in the playoffs, couldn’t score against Starr. Despite winning 35 of their last 36 games, Lake Belton couldn’t overcome Melissa’s strong defense and pitching.

Houston Dash celebrate first home win with 3-0 win over North Carolina Courage

By Robert H Kelly
Copyrights 2024 All Rights Reserved

HOUSTON (May 24, 2024)  The Houston Dash wrapped up their two-game homestand with a bang, securing a 3-0 victory against the North Carolina Courage at Shell Energy Stadium. This marks Houston’s third win of the season and their first triumph on home turf.

The Dash took the lead just before halftime. Rookie Avery Patterson won the ball at the edge of the box and passed to forward Ramona Bachmann. Bachmann then found the bottom corner of the far post, scoring her first goal in the NWSL.

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In the 67th minute, Houston scored again. Michelle Alozie dribbled into the box and passed back to Barbara Olivieri. The Katy, Texas native then found the far post for her first NWSL goal.

The final goal came in the 78th minute. Alozie forced a save from the North Carolina goalkeeper, and Diana Ordóñez was in the right place to score from the loose ball. This was Ordóñez's fourth goal of the season.

Dash goalkeeper Jane Campbell earned her fourth clean sheet of the season, making three saves against the Courage. Campbell is one of six Dash players who will leave for national team duty soon. She will join the U.S. Women’s National Team for friendlies against South Korea.

Houston made an early push with Bachmann finding Olivieri at the edge of the box in the fifth minute, but Olivieri’s shot went wide. Defender Paige Nielsen, who has been key in Houston’s defense since joining in late April, also attempted a long-range shot that missed.

Alozie had two shots in the first half, forcing a save in the 23rd minute and heading off target in the 36th minute. The Dash defense, including Natalie Jacobs and Tarciane, blocked key shots from North Carolina in the 60th minute. Tarciane’s debut made her the eighth Brazilian to play for the Dash.

The Dash’s next game is on Friday, June 7, against Racing Louisville FC at Lynn Family Stadium. They will return home on June 15 to host Angel City on Pride Night, presented by The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center.

Houston Dynamo FC earns 1-1 draw gainst FC Dallas in Texas Derby

Photo credit: Houston Dynamo FC

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2024 All Rights Reserved

HOUSTON, TEXAS (May 18, 2024) In an exciting match at Shell Energy Stadium, Houston Dynamo FCHouston Dynamo FC secured a 1-1 draw against their in-state rivals, FC DallasFC Dallas, in the second leg of the Texas Derby. This result extended Houston's impressive home unbeaten streak against Dallas to 11 matches, dating back to August 2016.

Houston Dynamo took the lead in first-half stoppage time. Captain Héctor Herrera made a sharp pass to defender Daniel Steres, who then quickly sent the ball to forward Amine BassiAmine Bassi in the middle of the penalty box. Bassi wasted no time, scoring his first goal of the season with a swift shot.

However, FC Dallas found the equalizer in the 69th minute. Bernard Kamungo passed to Petar MusaPetar Musa, who was positioned at the edge of the six-yard box. Musa directed the ball into the net, leveling the score.

Houston's goalkeeper, Steve Clark, made an important save early in the match, stopping a shot from Kamungo in just the second minute. Clark was solid throughout, making two key saves before leaving the match in the 73rd minute due to an accidental hit from his teammate, Artur. Andrew Tarbell replaced Clark, making his first appearance of the season.

Midfielder Artur had some strong chances for Houston, taking powerful shots in the 16th and 35th minutes, but Dallas goalkeeper Maarten Paes was up to the task each time. Herrera and Carrasquilla also tested Paes with long-range shots in first-half stoppage time.

Houston nearly scored again in the 43rd minute when Herrera’s corner kick found defender Erik Sviatchenko, but his header went just wide. Forward Aliyu Ibrahim had a close attempt in the 60th minute, but his shot was saved by Paes.

In the final minutes, Ibrahim and Sviatchenko each had chances to score but couldn't find the back of the net. The Dynamo will now prepare for their upcoming road match against the LA Galaxy on May 25, with kickoff set for 9:30 p.m. CT.

Houston Dynamo FC and St. Louis CITY SC battle to scoreless draw

Photo courtesy of Houston Dynamo FC 

By Robert H Kelly

Copyright 2024 All Rights Reserved

HOUSTON (May 4, 2024)  In a game filled with action and near misses, Houston Dynamo FC and St. Louis CITY SC couldn't break the deadlock, ending their match in a scoreless draw at Shell Energy Stadium. This result marks Houston's third clean sheet of the season, showcasing their defensive prowess.

The Dynamo came out strong, with forward Aliyu Ibrahim testing St. Louis' goalkeeper early on with a low shot in the eighth minute. However, Roman Buerki was up to the task, denying Ibrahim's attempt. Goalkeeper Steve Clark also played a vital role for Houston, making three crucial saves throughout the match.

Captain Héctor Herrera returned to the starting lineup for Houston after recovering from a knee injury, providing a boost to the team. Despite several close calls, including a back heel attempt from Herrera himself, neither side could find the back of the net.

Defender Daniel Steres came closest to breaking the deadlock for Houston, hitting the woodwork with a powerful header just before halftime. However, luck was not on their side as the ball bounced away from the goal.

The Dynamo's attacking efforts continued in the second half, with midfielder Latif Blessing and defender Erik Sviatchenko both coming close to scoring. However, their shots narrowly missed the target.

Although disappointed with the draw, Houston Dynamo FC now turn their focus to the upcoming U.S. Open Cup, where they will defend their title against USL Championship side Detroit City FC on Tuesday, May 7, back at Shell Energy Stadium.