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High School Softball Preview: Bold predictions for the 2024 season

len hayward, corpus christi caller times
·4 min read

It’s time for the high school softball season.

So here are three bold predictions for the 2024 season along with a look around at area districts, and some district predictions.

Prediction 1: Calallen and Santa Gertrudis Academy will each hoist state championship hardware.

It’s never happened that two area squads have won state titles in the same year in softball, and — heck — it’s been rare in baseball. But the two area powers have the lineups and pitching in place to do it.

Prediction 2: Veterans Memorial will win the District 29-5A title.

The Eagles have been a perennial playoff team since it opened nearly a decade ago, but have never won a district title or made a deep playoff run. This may be the year.

Prediction 3: Another team from 30-3A will meet Santa Gertrudis Academy in regional final.

Navigating the Region IV bracket in Class 3A softball is tough with traditional powers such as Jourdanton, Columbus and Hallettsville lurking, but this might be the year another team from 30-3A navigates those waters to meet the Lions. The two candidates are London and Hebbronville.

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Here’s a breakdown of Coastal Bend area districts for the 2024 season

DISTRICT 29-5A

NORTH ZONE

What to know: This zone could come down to the two games between Gregory-Portland and Ray this season, while Victoria West, Victoria East and Miller could be in the fight for the third zone playoff spot.

Caller-Times Prediction: 1. Gregory-Portland; 2. Ray; 3. Victoria East; 4. Victoria West; 5. Miller

SOUTH ZONE

What to know: This race is wide open, and the eight games played in this zone will be big especially contests between Flour Bluff, Carroll and Veterans Memorial. The three will like grab to the three zone playoff spots but who finishes where is a crapshoot.

Caller-Times Prediction: 1. Veterans Memorial; 2. Flour Bluff; 3. Carroll; 4. King; 5. Moody

Caller-Times Playoff Prediction: Veterans Memorial def. Gregory-Portland for district title; Flour Bluff def. Victoria East; Carroll def. Ray

DISTRICT 30-4A

What to know: Port Lavaca Calhoun and Sinton shared the district title a year ago and will be the teams to beat this season, but Ingleside and Rockport-Fulton could have a say.

Caller-Times Prediction: 1. Sinton; 2. Port Lavaca Calhoun; 3. Ingleside; 4. Rockport-Fulton

The starting lineups for Alice and Calallen are introduced before the softball game on March 17, 2023, at Calallen High School in Corpus Christi, Texas.
The starting lineups for Alice and Calallen are introduced before the softball game on March 17, 2023, at Calallen High School in Corpus Christi, Texas.

DISTRICT 31-4A

What to know: Calallen, the defending state champs, are in this district but didn’t win it last season when Alice won the title. The Wildcats will be motivated this season. Also, former Bishop mentor Tito Moreno is now at district rival Robstown as the coach.

Caller-Times Prediction: 1. Calallen; 2. Tuloso-Midway; 3. Alice; 4. Robstown; 5. Bishop; 6. Kingsville

DISTRICT 29-3A

What to know: Of the area district races, this one could be the wildest. There is not a clear-cut favorite as Aransas Pass and Taft each lost their best pitchers, which could open the door for Odem, Goliad, Mathis and George West. Hang on this one will go down to the final day, or maybe even more.

Caller-Times Prediction: 1. Mathis; 2. Odem; 3. Taft; 4. Goliad; 5. Aransas Pass; 6. George West

Santa Gertrudis Academy's Audi Mireles throws to first base during the Region IV-3A softball final at Cabaniss Softball Field on Thursday, May 25, 2023, in Corpus Christi, Texas.
Santa Gertrudis Academy's Audi Mireles throws to first base during the Region IV-3A softball final at Cabaniss Softball Field on Thursday, May 25, 2023, in Corpus Christi, Texas.

DISTRICT 30-3A

What to know: Santa Gertrudis Academy is the overwhelming favorite to win another district championship, but — like last season — the race for the other three playoff spots could come down to the wire. A year ago, the three playoff squads were separated by a game. Expect the same this season.

Caller-Times Prediction: 1. Santa Gertrudis Academy; 2. London; 3. Hebbronville; 4. San Diego; 5. Falfurrias; 6. Banquete

CLASS 2A AND BELOW

Three Teams to watch

IWA: The Angels return five starters off a district championship squad and will again play a tough non-district schedule to prepare them.

Three Rivers: The Bulldogs return nine starters, including 31-2A Co-MVPs Sofia Alvarado and Alyson Gomez, from a 31-4 district champion. The Bulldogs will be looking to go beyond the second round this season.

Riviera: The defending District 32-2A champions will be in the mix again this season and like Three Rivers will want to break through to the third round and beyond.

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This article originally appeared on Corpus Christi Caller Times: High School Softball: Bold predictions for the 2024 season