The Aubrey Lady Chaparrals softball team earned their spot in Austin after sweeping the Snyder Lady Tigers in the state semi-finals, two games to none May 22.
The Lady Chaps leaned on a strong defensive performance and timely hits to take the first game, 2-0, and the second, 3-1, and punched their ticket to the UIL 4A Division 2 State Championship.
“It wasn't our best performance offensively, but we just scraped and clawed and fought,” Aubrey head softball coach James Ramsey said. “Mya [Cherry] had a heck of a game, and we just found a way to win. That's something we've talked about, [and] it's not always pretty, but we found a way to win.”
Game 1 was a pitcher’s duel, with the two teams combining for nine hits and 12 strikeouts and trading outs until the latter portion of the game.
Aubrey took the lead 1-0 in the top of the fifth after Snyder’s pitcher Sydnee Gomez walked a batter with the bases loaded.
Lady Chaps catcher Abby Lynch-Buxton made it a tworun game with a solo home run
Martin Edwards/The Post-Signal in the top of the sixth inning, sealing the 2-0 win.
Game 2 turned out to be another defensive showcase, with the two teams combining for seven hits and 11 strikeouts.
This time Aubrey got on the scoreboard early when second baseman Molly Reid smacked a homer to left field, driving in two runs.
Outfielder Addison White drove in a third run for the Lady Chaps with a line drive single to right field, putting Aubrey in front 3-0 in the first inning.
Snyder would pick up a run in the top of the fifth inning after an error from the Aubrey defense allowed one of the Lady Tigers’ baserunners to get home, making it a two-run game.
The Lady Chaps’ defense recovered after giving up the run and caged the Lady Tigers’ offense for the remainder of the game, holding on to win 3-1.
Cherry, who pitched Game 2 with an injury to her left leg, led the Lady Chaps from the circle, striking out 10 and allowing seven hits.
With their top hurler hampered, the Lady Chaps fielders stepped up, headlined by their trio of juniors—Sophia Mulhern, Sophia Place and Addison White—manning the outfield.
“[Mya] picks everybody up and holds us all accountable, so when she’s hurt, we knew we had to have her back,” Mulhern said.
White said the Lady Chaps were fully aware how important the moment was.
“We didn't really play our best in Game 1, so we wanted to bring better versions of ourselves out today,” she said. “… The wind wasn’t in our favor today, so in the outfield we had to dial in because those plays were crucial.”
Ramsey, who is in his 26th season as a head coach, shared his joy at seeing his team reach the big stage.
“I’ve been doing this a long time, and it’s so special,” he said. 'I’m proud of the way they fought all year long to be at this point. There’re only two teams in the [championship] game next week, and you can’t win it if you’re not in it, and we’re in it.”
Aubrey is scheduled to face off with the Robinson Rockets for the UIL 4A Division 2 State Championship at 10 a.m. Friday at Red & Charline McCombs Field in Austin.
Martin Edwards/The Post-Signal
