Iowa Park Sweeps Mineola, Advances To First State Title Game

Just one season ago, Iowa Park softball was one win away from reaching the first state championship game in program history. But after dropping two games to Whitesboro, those dreams came to an end. It marked the third time in five years that Iowa Park’s season ended in the State Semifinals.

After sweeping Jim Ned in the Regional Finals last week, the Lady Hawks made sure history would not repeat itself.

Wednesday’s series opener took 11 innings before Bailey Martinez delivered a huge hit, driving in Kory McCormack on a walk-off single to give the Lady Hawks a dramatic Game 1 victory. After battling through the extra-inning thriller on Wednesday night, Iowa Park returned to Prosper Walnut Grove High School on Thursday afternoon looking to finish the job with a win over Mineola and sweep the Class 3A Division I State Semifinal series.

Game 2 began as a pitchers duel before Mineola took advantage of two singles and an Iowa Park error in the fourth inning to grab a 2-0 lead.

The Lady Hawks then answered with two of their own runs off of back-to-back doubles from Bailey Martinez and Rowan Pike sparking the Iowa Park offense and tying the game at 2-2, shifting momentum back toward the Lady Hawks dugout.

In the Lady hawks half of the sixth, the floodgates opened as Callista Berrett launched a two-run home run to put Iowa Park in front. Three batters later, Jacie Barnes followed with another two-run blast as the Lady Hawks suddenly built a 6-2 lead. Madi Nixon added to the offensive explosion with an RBI double to push the lead to 7-2.

Mineola attempted one final rally in the seventh inning, piecing together a few hits and loading the bases, but Iowa Park slammed the door shut as second baseman Kory McCormack caught the final out and clinching Iowa Park’s first softball state championship appearance in program history.

Iowa Park ace Callista Berrett was phenomenal on the mound striking out 24 Mineola batters over the two games and adding the go-ahead home run at the plate in Game 2.

With the win, Iowa Park advances to the Class 3A Division I UIL State Championship softball game for the first time in school history.

The Lady Hawks will face the winner of Columbus and top-ranked Grandview on Thursday, May 28 at 4 p.m. at the University of Texas.