Congratulations to the Melissa High School Lady Cardinal Softball team for being named the Texas UIL 5A Division 1 Softball State Champions once again! After a long playoff season of victories and breaking records, the Lady Cardinals played in the UIL 5A Softball State Championship on Friday, May 30 against the Barbers Hill Lady Eagles. The Lady Cardinals earned the title of State Champions with a 4-2 win!
In a thrilling game, several players made standout contributions. Sophomore Eloisa Maes was exceptional, pitching the whole game, striking out seven batters, and allowing only 2 runs. Senior Caigan Crabtree also shined with one home run, two stolen bases, and racking up 2 more runs on the scoreboard.
The Lady Cardinals concluded their season with an impressive overall record of 38 wins. They secured the top spot in their district, ranked second in the state of Texas, and have earned the number one rank in the nation!
Additionally, Melissa set a new state and national record for home runs in a season, finishing with an impressive total of 122 homers. Junior, Kennedy Bradley, also made headlines, becoming the new DFW home run leader with 24 homers in a single season, breaking the previous record of 22 held by teammate Hutton (Lulu) Adrian set just last year. Moreover, six Lady Cardinals players were named to the 2025 UIL Softball State All-Tournament Team. Elosia Maes was named the MVP of the State All-Tournament team, being named only the third sophomore/freshman pitcher to win UIL State Champion MVP in the past 5 years (out of 33 champion MVPS).
Melissa ISD’s head softball coach reflected with pride on the team’s remarkable accomplishment, saying, "Many said we couldn't do it again. Many didn't want us to do it again. But we never listened to the noise—we just worked. This group earned every bit of this. Through every rep, every sacrifice, every moment of pressure, they rose. I’d go to war with them any day. We didn’t just keep the crown—we proved we were built to wear it. I'm so proud of this team and love every one of these girls!”
Congratulations to all these players for their incredible hard work and dedication this season. A huge shoutout to our four seniors, Caigan Crabtree, Gabrielle Kuehler, Paisley Needham, Makeena Ramsey, and Gianna Rose for their outstanding achievements on and off the field and their commitment to the Lady Cardinals Softball team. Additionally, congratulations to Head Coach Cassie Crabtree, Coach Morgan Wooten, Coach JD Clemmons, Coach Chris Phelps, and all the athletic support staff for guiding and pushing these players to make Cardinal history!
Make sure to come out to the Cardinal Community Celebration!
Let's paint the town red in celebration of the Lady Cardinal Softball team's glorious State Champion victory.
Join us on Monday, June 23, starting at 6:30-7:30 p.m at the Melissa High School Championship Center. Be sure to bring your own food, drinks, and comfy lawn chairs. See you there!
Lady Cardinals Varsity Softball Team:
Seniors: Caigan Crabtree, Gabby Kuehler, Paisley Needham, Makeena Ramsy, Gianna Rose
Juniors: Kennedy Bradley, Emmy Mabry, Hattie Winter
Sophomores: Hutton (Lulu) Adrian, Amariee Bradford, Rylee Feadin, Izzy Gonzales, Elosia Maes, Rihanna Wheeler, Finlee Williams
Freshmen: Bradyn Young
Coaches: Cassie Crabtree, JD Clemmons, Morgan Wooten, Chris Phelps
2025 UIL Softball State All-Tournament Team (Melissa Players)
MVP: Elosia Maes (So.)
First Base: Izzy Gonzales (So.)
Third Base: Kennedy Bradley (Jr.)
Shortstop: Caigan Crabtree (Sr.)
Outfield: Finlee Williams (So.)
Outfield: Paisley Needham (Sr.)