Melissa's undefeated softball team, the Cardinals, is set to face Lake Belton in the regional finals after sweeping their last semifinal series. They recently established a national single-season record for home runs, currently tallied at 112. The best-of-three series begins Wednesday, with the winner advancing to the semifinals next week. Melissa is riding a strong performance from their players, including dominant pitcher Eloisa Maes, who is 27-0 this season.

By the Numbers
  • Melissa has a 34-0 record, winning their last two games against Midlothian by a total score of 29-1.
  • The Cardinals have hit 112 home runs this season; Kennedy Bradley leads with 23 homers.
  • Eloisa Maes boasts a 27-0 record with 199 strikeouts this season.
  • Lake Belton enters the finals at 34-2, riding a 24-game winning streak.
State of Play
  • Game 1 will take place Wednesday at 7 p.m. CT in Alvarado.
  • Game 2 is scheduled for Friday at 7 p.m. CT in Cleburne.
  • Game 3, if needed, will be on Saturday at 1 p.m. CT back in Alvarado.
What's Next

The series winner will advance to the semifinals next week, with Melissa aiming to maintain their undefeated streak while Lake Belton seeks to upset their record season. The results of this match-up will shape the competitive landscape as they move deeper into the playoffs.

Bottom Line

As the Cardinals face Lake Belton, the outcome will highlight Melissa's historic season and their resilience against a strong competitor. Fans can expect an intense series as both teams vie for a spot in the semifinals, underlining the stakes for each game in this thrilling playoff stretch.