Kingwood kept its perfect playoff record in tact on Friday night, and in doing so punched its ticket to the UIL State Softball Tournament for the first time since 2013.
The Mustangs (37-7) defeated No. 1 nationally-ranked Katy, 7-6, to clinch the Region III-6A Championship with a sweep of the Tigers after winning Game 1 on Thursday, 6-3, at home.
"It has been one of the best journeys I have ever had the pleasure to be on," Kingwood coach Christa Williams-Yates said about Kingwood advancing to State in her first season. "They are great kids that have worked so incredibly hard. When others have doubted they have never flinched! I have never been more proud of a group!
"They never cease to amaze me!"
Kingwood has won 23-straight games dating back to March 5.
In the 2024 UIL Softball playoffs, Kingwood has posted a perfect 10-0 mark, sweeping Sam Rayburn, Clear Springs, Alvin, Heights and Katy, to punch its ticket to Austin. In those games, the Mustangs have outscored their opponents 92-15.
In the series against Katy, the home run ball was big for the Mustangs. Long balls by Mia Gagliardi, who had two, Hunter Quentel, Ava Jolley and Leilani Garci produced eight of Kingwood's eventual 13 runs.
Kingwood is led by first-year coach Christa Williams-Yates.
The Mustangs now advance to the UIL State Softball Tournament and will play in the Class 6A State Semifinal on Friday at either 4 p.m. or 7 p.m. at Red & Charlene McCombs Field at the University of Texas in Austin.