These Deep East Texas Ball Teams Continue Quest for State Title

The weather is the only thing heating up in East Texas. High school softball and baseball playoffs are moving to the regional finals and regional semi-finals, and several schools from the Pineywoods are still in the hunt for a coveted trip to the UIL State Tourney.

If you like watching good, competitive play on the diamond, you should consider taking in some of these ballgames.

Class A Softball - Regional Final

Brookeland (16-4-3) vs Avery (6-13)

Thursday, May 15, 6:30 p.m. at Longview High School

Outlook: Brookeland is a heavy favorite to win this one-game playoff and advance to the state tournament in Austin. This has all the makings of a mercy run-rule game by the 5th inning. The only thing that could stop the Lady Cats is if they believe what I just wrote and play the game like they've already won.

Class 2A Softball, Division 1 - Regional Final

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Corrigan-Camden vs Shelbyville (Best of 3 series)

Game 1, Thursday, May 15, 6 p.m. at Carthage
Game 2, Friday, May 16, 6 p.m. at Hudson
Game 3 (if necessary), Saturday, May 17, 12 p.m. at Hudson

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Outlook: What a turnaround for Corrigan-Camden. After posting just 4 wins last season, the Lady Bulldogs are 23-5-1 and one series away from the state tournament. Standing in their way are the Lady Dragons of Shelbyville.

They come in with a record of 23-11 and a hunger to blast through the round that stopped them in their 2024 playoff run.

Earlier this season, Corrigan-Camden defeated Shelbyville 7-1, but that was over 2 months ago. This series should be a doozy.

Class A Baseball, Regional Semi-finals

Chester (20-6-1) vs Brookeland (17-2) (All Games at Lamar University in Beaumont)

Thursday, May 15, 6 p.m.
Friday, May 16, 7 p.m.
Saturday, May 17, 7 p.m. (if necessary)

Outlook: These two teams know each other well. They met each other twice in district play, with Brookeland taking both games (6-3 and 3-1). That would seem to favor a Wildcat victory for this matchup, but just take a look back at the 2024 playoffs.

Last year, Brookeland also won both regular-season games over the Yellowjackets, but in a one-game playoff in Hudson, Chester prevailed 13-11 in 8 innings.

It's a different year, and this time it's a best-of-three series. The winner gets to advance to play either Union Hill or Avalon.

Class A Baseball, Regional Semi-finals

Spurger (7-6) vs. Round Top-Carmine (11-12), All Games at Willis High School

Game 1: Friday, May 16, 4:30 p.m.
Game 2: 30 minutes after game 1
Game 3 (if necessary): Saturday, May 17, 11 a.m.

Outlook: This could be an evenly matched series. The Pirates and the Cubs both come in with under .500 marks in district play. Whoever wins this series will likely play Fayetteville in the regional finals, last year's state runner-up.

Class 2A Baseball, Division 1, Regional Semi-finals

Shelbyville (23-7-1) vs Frankston (23-6)

Game 1: Thursday, May 15, 6 p.m. at Carthage
Game 2: Friday, May 16, 6 p.m. at Tatum
Game 3 (if necessary): Saturday, May 17, 12 p.m. at Tatum

Outlook: Another series that seems to feature two evenly matched teams. The state polls seem to give Frankston an edge since they are ranked in the top 15 in Texas in Class 2A baseball.

Class 2A Baseball, Division 2, Regional Semi-finals

Hemphill (15-15) vs Beckville (21-6)

Game 1: Wednesday, May 14, 7 p.m. at Hudson
Game 2: Thursday, May 15, 7 p.m. at Hudson
Game 3 (if necessary), Saturday, May 17, 7 p.m. at Lufkin

Outlook: Last year, Hemphill played in one of the toughest 3A districts in the state. A move down to Class 2A in 2025 has helped the Hornets regain their swagger. They'll need some good fortune on the diamond when they take on a powerful Bearkat squad from Beckville.

Class 3A Baseball, Division 1, Regional Semi-finals

Huntington ISD Athletics FB

Huntington (26-6-1) vs Franklin (30-4-1)

Game 1: Thursday, May 15, 8 p.m. at Huntsville HS
Game 2: Friday, May 16, 7 p.m. at Bullard HS
Game 3 (if necessary): Saturday, May 17, 4 p.m. at Huntsville HS

Outlook: Even if you don't have a dog in this fight, try to make it to at least one of these games. Huntington is ranked in the top 15 in Texas, while Franklin is ranked 8th. The Lions come in as the defending state champions from 2024.

Class 3A Baseball, Division 2, Regional Semi-finals

Central Heights ISD FB

Central Heights (28-5) vs Thrall (33-6-1), All Games at Lake Creek High School, Montgomery

Game 1: Thursday, May 15, 7 p.m
Game 2: Saturday, May 17, 2 p.m
Game 3 (if necessary): 30 minutes following game 2

Outlook: The Blue Devils are ranked 9th in Texas in Class 3A, while the Tigers come in at number 16. Central Heights looks to have the more complete team, but don't be surprised to see this go the full three games. The winner will play either Anderson-Shiro or Rogers in the regional finals.