By Michael Adams
Austin Sports Journal
The UIL softball playoffs begin Wednesday as bi-district playoff series and games get underway. Here is everything you need to know to get you ready for the postseason:
More coverage
- 2025 UIL playoff pairings and schedule for Austin-area teams
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Top Storylines
Austin’s softball title drought
Only one Austin-area school has won a softball state title in 10 years. That was La Grange in 2016 in Class 4A.
Since La Grange won the last of its three state titles – tied with Smithson Valley for the most in Austin-area history – just five teams have reached a state championship game – Georgetown (5A, 2022), Thorndale (2A, 2019), New Braunfels Canyon (6A, 2018), Bowie (6A, 2017) and Liberty Hill (4A 2017).
If you break it down by classification, Smithson Valley was the last area team to win a championship in the state’s top classification. The Rangers won the 2012 Class 5A championship.
Hays won a 4A state title in 2013 and New Braunfels Canyon won one in 2009. La Grange won a 3A title in 2014 before the UIL added a Class 6A. But no team from the area has won state championships in the two smallest classifications.
Elgin’s absence
It’s rare that a team not making the playoffs is news, but Elgin’s absence in the 2025 playoffs is a big deal. Prior to this year, the Lady Cats were just one of two teams in Texas that have made the playoffs every year since softball became a sport in 1993.
That 31-year streak came to an end as Elgin finished fifth in District 23-5A. Waco Midway is now the only team in Texas that has made the playoffs every year.
Elgin made the 2005 Class 4A state tournament and lost to Justin Northwest in the semifinals. Current Smithson Valley head coach Amanda Wolf-Schramm is one of the most decorated players in Elgin softball history. The 2001 graduate of Elgin High School returned to her alma mater in 2007 as head coach and stayed there until leaving for Smithson Valley in 2019.
How will the division split affect Austin?
The Austin area might be the biggest winner of the new UIL playoff format this year. Under the new format, the top four playoff teams in each district are split into two divisions in each classification based on enrollment, much like the format used for Class 6A football.
The two with the highest enrollments will be placed in the Division I bracket, while the two smallest schools will be placed in Division II. For baseball and softball, this also means state semifinals have the option to be best-of-three series.
This new format has really benefited Austin area schools this year.
Wimberley (Class 4A Division II) and Johnson City (2A-I) won volleyball state championships, Cedar Park made the Class 5A Division II finals and Vandegrift, Westlake, Salado and Georgetown reached the state semifinals.
It was most evident in soccer as five state champions were crowned from the Austin area and three other teams reached the state finals.
Liberty Hill and Rouse will both be in the Class 5A Division II bracket. One of them could easily reach the state finals, and keep an eye out for Smithson Valley, Johnson City and Blanco.
Teams to watch
Bowie (16-8): You can never count out the Lady Dawgs in the playoffs, regardless of how they finish in the regular season. Bowie has an explosive offense and will be a dangerous team if they get by Cedar Ridge in the first round.
Liberty Hill (21-4-1): The Panthers were regional finalists last year and may just be the favorite in Region IV in the Class 5A Division II bracket. Liberty Hill has won five straight heading into Tuesday’s warmup with Belton.
Smithson Valley (18-1): The Rangers are ranked fifth in Class 5A by the Texas Girls Coaches Association. Smithson Valley’s only loss was to Crosby on Feb. 14. Since then, the Rangers have cruised through District 26-5A and hasn’t given up a run in their last seven games.
Blanco (23-2): The Panthers are ranked No. 3 in Class 3A by the Texas Girls Coaches Association and haven’t lost since Valentines Day. The Panthers have scored 15 or more runs in their last 11 games.
Johnson City (15-1-2): The Eagles are ranked fourth in Class 2A by the Texas Girls Coaches Association and won the District 28-2A Championship. They are a favorite in the 2A Division I bracket.
Players to Watch
Chloe Ellis, Gateway Prep: One of the top all-around players in the area, Ellis has a .571 batting average with eight home runs, 31 RBIs and eight doubles. She’s also dominant in the circle with a 0.95 earned run average and 262 strikeouts.
Karis Ginn, Thorndale: The Lady Dogs’ star pitcher was instrumental in Thorndale’s run to the regional semifinals last year. The senior has a 2.06 earned run average, 61 strikeouts and a 6-0 record in nine appearances.
Maddy George, Rouse: The senior catcher is hitting .551 with 20 home runs, 46 RBIs and 10 doubles.
Loreli Gamble, Dripping Springs: Leads the Tigers with a .564 batting average and has 21 home runs for the season. She also has 61 RBIs, 12 doubles and three triples.
Addison Otto, Smithville: Leads the team with a .438 batting average and has four home runs, 16 RBIs, nine doubles, six triples and 41 runs scored.
Ivy Haley, Johson City: Has a .622 batting average in 14 games for the Eagles with 16 RBIs and 11 doubles.
