It was a battle of Class 6A Houston-area high school softball royalty Tuesday night.
Two teams with state championships in the past seven years put up a battle in non-district play.
Atascocita, the state champions of 2018, outlasted Deer Park, the state champions of 2022, 9-6 on the Eagles’ home field.
The loss was Deer Park’s second straight as it drops to 5-3 on the year. Atascocita improved to 4-0.
Down 3-1, the Eagles put together a massive six-run third inning. Deer Park scored three unanswered runs to pull to a 7-6 deficit in the top of the fifth. Atascocita added insurance runs in each of the next two innings.
Kayla Barras had a stellar night at the plate with a 3-for-4 effort, including a double, and two runs scored. She also walked.
Izzy Mendoza went 2-for-3 with a team-high two RBIs. McCartney Pledger and Journey Calderon each had one RBI. Mia Montemayor doubled.
Madi Alvarado went the first two innings and Braelynn Jones went the rest of the way.
Deer Park is one of the host site for the Barbers Hill Invitational this Thursday through Saturday.
The Deer host some big-time opponents Thursday with regional finalist Katy (4 p.m.) and 2023 state champion Pearland (6 p.m.).
On Friday, the Deer then welcome Keller, which last reached state in 2019, at 4 p.m. followed by defending 6A champ Weslaco at 7 p.m.
The tournament concludes Saturday against defending 4A state champion Calallen (11 a.m.) and Waller (3 p.m.).
Seen here this past weekend, Kayla Barras (3) went 3-for-4 against Atascocita on Feb. 25, 2025. (Jose Palomo/SportCast Media)
