Softball

Championship bloodline: Lexington’s Taylor Akin aims to win state title on the field her grandfather won two

By Michael Adams
Austin Sports Journal

LEXINGTON – Taylor Akin doesn’t remember watching her grandfather, former La Grange coach Arthur Behrend, win state softball championships in 2014 and 2016.

Her family lived in Massachusetts during the 2014 title run, and she was only six when the Lady Leopards won again in 2016.

“I don’t really remember much,” Akin said. “When I was little, his catchers would always catch for me when I was learning to pitch, and I always looked up to them.”

Now, Akin and the Lexington Lady Eagles have a chance to do what no Austin-area softball team has done since her grandfather’s 2016 squad—win a UIL state championship.

Lexington (26-8) faces Coahoma (34-1) in the UIL Class 3A Division II state final Thursday at the University of Texas’ Red & Charline McCombs Field. First pitch is set for 4 p.m.

It’s a full-circle moment for the sophomore pitcher who grew up around the game.

“It would mean a lot—not just for me, but for this team and this town,” Akin said. “He’s always been supportive and always been there for me. I’ve had a lot of different coaches, but he’s been the one that’s stayed the same.”

Lexington’s Taylor Akin (1) celebrates after hitting a double during a Class 3A Division II state semifinal on Thursday, May 22, 2025 at San Marcos High School in San Marcos, Texas. (Michael Adams/Austin Sports Journal)

Lexington’s connection to La Grange’s championship legacy runs deeper than family ties. Assistant coach Missy Zoch Herbrich was the winning pitcher for both of La Grange’s state titles.

Akin mirrors her coach’s dominance in the circle, though her journey wasn’t always smooth.

“Her growth has been exceptional,” said head coach Lauren Robertson. “It was a bit of a rocky start, but she put in the work and figured out what it would take to get this team here.”

The stats back it up.

Akin enters the title game with a 21-4 record, a 1.50 ERA, and 214 strikeouts. At the plate, she’s hitting .353 with 11 doubles and 27 RBIs.

Behrend will be in the stands Thursday, trading his spot in the dugout and La Grange’s purple and yellow for Lexington’s green and yellow, cheering on his granddaughter and former player.

About Lexington

Record: 26-8

State tournament appearances: 1 (2025)

Road to the championship: Buffalo (7-0, 11-0); West (9-3, 17-16); Nacogdoches Central Heights (3-1); East Bernard (3-4, 3-1, 6-1); Jourdanton (2-0, 10-4).

5 Players to watch

  • P Taylor Akin (21-4, 1.50 ERA, 214 Ks)
  • 1B/SS Aubrie Mathews (.449 BA, 26 RBIs, 14 2B, 4 3B, 2 HR)
  • SS/LF Avery Rodriguez (.404 BA, 16 RBIs, 2 2B, 4 3B)
  • OF Maya Bell (.386 BA, 13 RBIs, 3 2B, 2 3B, 1 HR)
  • INF Averie Mathews (.353 BA, 22 RBIs, 11 2B, 1 3B, 4 HR)