CUERO, Texas — It was a storybook ending for Calallen softball. The Lady Cats defeated Needville 4-1 in a 1-game UIL 4A Regional Final series with a full count 2 out, walk-off 3-run homer from sophomore Kayden Trevino.
"I didn't even think it was gone," Trevino said. "I just swung. I just saw it like coming and I hit it as hard as I could. It's just amazing. I was there my freshman year. I started freshman year, hit and everything. It was an amazing feeling, and now that I am doing more by helping us get there is even more awesome."
Calallen is going back to the state tournament for the second year in-a-row, an achievement that has not been reached by the program. However they could have made it back-to-back years when COVID hit.
"It means so much, we've pushed them harder than we've ever pushed a team before," Teresa Lentz, Calallen softball head coach said. "You know a lot of kids these days can handle that kind of expectation and standards and they're doing it."
Needville scored first in the top of the third, but Calallen senior Megan Geyer answered right back in the bottom frame with an RBI single to tie the game at 1-1. Geyer led the team going 2-for-3 at the plate. Alaunah Almaraz was walked all three times.
The Lady Cats defense was a game changer as well. Sophomore pitcher Jordyn Thibodeax did her part striking out 9 batters, while only allowing 5 hits, 1 run and 2 walks over 7 innings.
"It kind of felt like every other inning," Thibodeaux said in reference to the final frame. "Just striking them out. The defense getting outs. Stuff like that. It was just the same. It's very exciting and I'm very lucky to be part of the team."
Calallen will play in the UIL 4A State Semifinals on Thursday, May 30 at 4 or 7 p.m. at. Red & Charline McCombs Field in Austin. The championship is Saturday at 10 a.m.
Calallen can make history. Just two wins away from becoming the first Coastal Bend softball team to win back-to-back state titles.
Coastal Bend State Tournament Appearances
Calallen - 2024, 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)
Every home run Calallen has hit has been in honor of 5-year-old Eva Elena Perez who celebrates her 6th birthday in Heaven on May 25. The girls would go to home plate and Twirl Like Eva.
