AUSTIN, Texas — The Calallen Lady Cats (34-2) made Coastal Bend history by becoming the first softball program to win back-to-back State Championships. Calallen defeated Liberty 2-1 on Saturday in Austin.
The Lady Cats hot bats have carried the load this season, but it was their defense that made the difference.
Liberty scored first in the top of the second. Abby vikers hit a solo home run to right center. Calallen answered in the fourth inning, Audryna Almaraz hit a sac fly RBI. Then the Lady Cats stole their first lead of the game in the fifth inning when Brookelynn Meador hit a sac fly RBI bringing Braelyn Bailey home to go up 2-1.
Sophomore pitcher Jordyn Thibodeaux was named MVP. She dealt 5 strikeouts and only allowed 4 hits, 4 walks and 1 run through 7 innings.
Calallen baseball also punched their ticket to the UIL 4A State Tournament the day before softball won state. Calallen is at least the second school in Coastal Bend history to have both softball and baseball advancing to the State Tournament in the same season. Sinton achieved this feat in 1999.
Calallen vs. Liberty State Championship Matchup History
2024 - Calallen wins 2-1
2023 - Calallen wins 9-7
2021 - Liberty wins 10-3
Coastal Bend State Tournament Appearances
Calallen - 2024 (State Champions), 2023 (State Champions), 2021 (Runner-Up), 2019 (Runner-Up)
Santa Gertrudis Academy - 2023 (Runner-Up), 2018 (State Champions), 2017 (Runner-Up), 2016, 2013 (Runner-Up)
Sinton - 2001, 1999
Beeville - 2018, 2017, 1997
Gregory-Portland - 2016 (Runner-Up), 2000
Bishop - 2021
George West - 2010 (State Champions)
