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2008 UIL 5A Texas State Runner Up Bowie Bulldogs
 | | Revision 2008 |
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 | | What a Season |  |
2008 5A State Runner Up
 | | Top Dawg | |
Austin American Statesman 2008 Pre-Season Area Poll
James Bowie High School Ranked # 1
Bowie Varsity
Numba 1
2008 Area Pre-season Poll according to Austin American Statesman
Bowie Bulldogs are ranked #1
- 2. Westwood
- 3. Dripping Springs
- 4. Pflugerville
- 5. Elgin
- 6. Giddings
- 7. N.B. Canyon
- 8. Vista Ridge
- 9. Liberty Hill
- 10. Lexington
Pre-Season Nationally Ranked in the TOP 50
The Bowie High School softball team is ranked among the top 50 high school teams in the Nation in a pre-season poll by Student Sports Softball. The Bulldogs are ranked 34th in the poll. Other Texas teams ranked in the pre-season poll are Klein Oak (10), Smithson Valley (15), Elkins Missouri City (17), Garland (18), Katy (26), and Westwood (43).
(Listed with last year's record)
(Last season's final FAB 50 ranking in parentheses)
1. Kennedy (La Palma, Calif.) 29-2 (14)
2. Santiago (Corona, Calif.) 26-6 (29)
3. Canyon del Oro (Tucson, Ariz.) 33-3 (2)
4. Sheldon (Sacramento, Calif.) 29-1 (7)
5. Broad Run (Ashburn, Va.) 29-0 (8)
6. Lake Wales (Lake Wales, Fla.) 23-6 (26)
7. Shadle Park (Spokane, Wash.) 28-1 (11)
8. St. Mary's (Phoenix, Ariz.) 29-8 (38)
9. Regina (Harper Woods, Mich.) 38-5 (28)
10. Klein Oak (Klein, Texas) 21-6 (nr)
11. Riverdale (Murfreesboro, Tenn.) 50-6-1 (44)
12. Hart (Newhall, Calif.) 27-8 (24)
13. Pace (Pace, Fla.) 25-5 (36)
14. Buena (Sierra Vista, Ariz.) 31-6 (39)
15. Smithson Valley (Spring Branch, Texas) 28-3 (nr)
16. Norco (Norco, Calif.) 26-6 (25)
17. Elkins (Missouri City, Texas) 24-10 (nr)
18. Garland (Garland, Texas) 38-9-2 (10)
19. Pembroke Pines Charter (Pembroke Pines, Fla.) 25-4 (nr)
20. El Modena (Orange, Calif.) 26-5 (nr)
21. Spanish Springs (Sparks, Nev.) 35-1 (45)
22. South Florence (Florence, S.C.) 34-0 (23)
23. San Benito (Hollister, Calif.) 32-3 (50)
24. Cabrini (Allen Park, Mich.) 35-0 (31)
25. Goodpasture (Madison, Tenn.) 38-14 (nr)
26. Katy (Katy, Texas) 35-9 (18)
27. Downer's Grove South (Downer's Grove, Ill.) 32-7-1 (nr)
28. Pacifica (Garden Grove, Calif.) 28-7 (13)
29. Naples (Naples, Fla.) 28-1 (27)
30. Elyria (Elyria, Ohio) 30-4 (nr)
31. Roseburg (Roseburg, Ore.) 27-2 (nr)
32. Chaparral (Scottsdale, Ariz.) 29-8 (nr)
33. San Pedro (San Pedro, Calif.) 28-3 (46)
34. Bowie (Austin, Texas) 28-5-1 (nr)
35. Ryle (Union, Ky.) 37-5 (nr)
36. Jesuit (Portland, Ore.) 25-5 (nr)
37. Castle (Newburgh, Ind.) 30-6-1 (nr)
38. Hoover (North Canton, Ohio) 29-2 (nr)
39. Notre Dame (Belmont, Calif.) 24-5-1 (nr)
40. Central Cabarrus (Concord, N.C.) 28-1 (30)
41. Bishop O'Connell (Arlington, Va.) 29-2 (49)
42. Normal Community (Normal, Ill.) 32-7 (nr)
43. Westwood (Austin, Texas) 35-5 (nr)
44. Centennial (Peoria, Ariz.) 31-7 (nr)
45. Valencia (Valencia, Calif.) 32-1 (1)
46. South Panola (Batesville, Miss.) 33-4 (48)
47. Beecher (Beecher, Ill.) 33-4 (nr)
48. Everglades (Miramar, Fla.) 29-2 (4)
49. Cooper City (Cooper City, Fla.) 24-6
50. Wheeling Central (Wheeling, W. Va.) 28-3
About Student Sports
Student Sports provides national high school content for SPARQ and Rivals.com and previously published Student Sports Magazine for 11 years. Student Sports produces the Nike Football Training Camps, EA SPORTS Elite 11 Quarterback Camp, the EA SPORTS All-American teams, the Area Code Games for baseball and numerous television projects. Student Sports also owns and operates 11 different high school-based web sites that can all be seen on the Rivals.com network.
 | | 2008 AISD Tournament Champions | |
It didn't take long for the Ladies to get rolling. On Feb 24, 2008 they started the season by winning their first tournament of the year. It was a great weekend for softball and the girls added to the enjoyment by taking home the hardware. The girls took bracket wins over Hendrickson, Conroe and Austin High. They met every challenge and will be ready to defend their District 25-5A title.
First Round Playoffs
Luna pitches Bowie to sweep of Churchill
HIGH SCHOOL SOFTBALL playoffs
Saturday, April 26, 2008
Bowie 7, San Antonio Churchill 0: Led by pitcher Blaire Luna, Bowie (24-3) swept San Antonio Churchill (18-11) in their best-of-three Class 5A playoff series.
Luna, who pitched a no-hitter in Bowie's 2-0 win Thursday, allowed two hits and struck out 12 Friday.
End of Regular Season Poll
Bowie Ranked Number 1 in the last regular season Statesman Area Poll
- James Bowie High School
- Dripping Springs
- New Braunfels Canyon
- Lago Vista
- Elgin
- Vista Ridge
- Round Rock
- Lockhart
- La Grange
- Belton
Final Four Again
HIGH SCHOOL SOFTBALL
Bowie sweep sends Bulldogs to state tournament
Luna rebounds to lead sweep of Smithson Valley.
By Rick Cantu
AMERICAN-STATESMAN STAFF
Saturday, May 24, 2008
SAN ANTONIO — Bowie is back in the UIL state softball tournament because tireless junior Blaire Luna wouldn't let the Bulldogs lose again.
Luna, the losing pitcher Thursday in a 3-0, 11-inning setback against Smithson Valley, was nearly unhittable on Friday. The hard-throwing right-hander pitched Bowie to a 2-0 victory over the Rangers in 11 innings to tie the regional championship series, and she followed that performance with a two-hitter in the decisive third game as the Bulldogs prevailed 3-0 at the San Antonio ISD Sports Complex.
Luna held the Rangers, the state's top-ranked Class 5A team, scoreless in 28 of the 29 innings she pitched in the series. She allowed a total of three runs and 10 hits while striking out 49.
Bowie, which won the Region IV championship for the second straight year, improved its record to 31-4. Smithson Valley ended its season at 33-4.
In Friday's opener, Bowie used a home run by senior third baseman Erin Burford to snap a scoreless tie in the top of the 11th.
In Game 3, Bowie took control in the first inning, scoring two runs off losing pitcher Alli Mattice. Samantha Beeson and Jenny Varteressan drove in the runs, and Bowie, with Luna fanning 12, never looked back.
Luna struck out 17 in the clincher, closing the game in style by fanning the side in the seventh. She struck out at least two batters in every inning.
In Friday's opener, Burford said, she hit a fastball on the inside corner of the plate from Rangers starter Bailey Watts, who held Bowie scoreless on Thursday.
Bowie left fielder Kendall Wiley started Bowie's winning rally with a one-out single in the 11th. Samantha Beeson hit into a fielder's choice for the second out, but Burford tagged Watts' first pitch high and deep over the left-field fence.
"You could see that (Watts) was getting tired out there," Burford said. "Her pitches were not coming in quite as fast."
Bowie, which lost its 25-game winning streak on Thursday, snapped Smithson Valley's 31-game victory streak on Friday.
Bowie scratched Watts for nine hits Friday, but failed to push a run home for 10 innings.
The Bulldogs loaded the bases with no outs in the second on consecutive singles by Beeson, Jenny Varteressan and Whitney Bailey. Watts, though, retired the next three hitters to end the threat.
Bowie reached the state tournament for the first time last season.
rcantu@statesman.com
Dripping Springs, Bowie represent Central Texas at State
Dripping Springs, Bowie represent Central Texas this week at state tournament
Field also includes Aledo, nation's top-ranked team
By Danny Davis
AMERICAN-STATESMAN STAFF
Monday, May 26, 2008
Two local softball teams with a recent history at the state tournament will try this weekend to accomplish something that's been done only once in the past 15 years.
The UIL state tournament will get underway on Thursday morning when Bosqueville (24-7) faces Clyde Eula (22-11) in a Class A semifinal at McCombs Field on the University of Texas campus. Bowie and Dripping Springs will try to give Central Texas its second state softball champion, after Class 3A La Grange in 2005.
Bowie (31-4), making its second straight trip to state, will look for revenge on Friday when it faces two-time defending champ Garland in a Class 5A semifinal. Garland (31-5-2) ousted the Lady Bulldogs from last year's state semifinals.
Bowie has one loss in the 2008 playoffs, and that came on Thursday against Smithson Valley, the top-ranked Class 5A team. But the Lady Bulldogs rebounded behind 18 shutout innings from sophomore Blaire Luna, winning twice on Friday to upend Smithson Valley in a regional final. With the top team in 5A already behind it, Bowie is excited about its chances this week.
"Last year we were so nervous but this year we have so much momentum," Bowie third baseman Erin Burford said. "I think we'll be fine."
The winner of the rematch will play the Odessa/Alvin winner in the Class 5A final Saturday night.
Dripping Springs (33-4) is heading to state for the second time in three years. In its last trip, the Lady Tigers reached the 2006 championship game but fell 3-0 in 11 innings to Little Cypress-Mauriceville.
The losing pitcher in that game was a sophomore right-hander, Paige Sandahl. Now a senior, Sandahl leads Central Texas in wins and strikeouts.
Earlier this season, Sandahl expressed a desire to return to the state tournament. "I want (a state championship) really bad this year, especially since I am a senior," she told the American-Statesman in April.
Sandahl is one of four seniors on the roster, but the underclassmen pack a punch too. Sophomores Brianne Baley and Briana Miles hit home runs during a sweep of Vista Ridge in the Region IV final.
Dripping Springs has lost only once since March 3. The Lady Tigers — who are undefeated in the playoffs, outscoring opponents 31-6 in eight games — will face Nederland (29-9-1) on Friday at 2 p.m. Aledo and Waco Midway will play in the other Class 4A semifinal.
Making its tournament debut is 36-1-1 Aledo, ranked last week by USA Today as the top softball team in the nation. The Lady Cats are quite familiar with the one-game, winner-take-all format that will be used at the state tournament — three of their four playoff series were one-gamers.
Long History together
HIGH SCHOOL SOFTBALL
Bowie teammates have long history together
By Bill Oram
AMERICAN-STATESMAN STAFF
Thursday, May 29, 2008
When Liana Reveles joined the Bowie High School softball team as a freshman, she remembered feeling tension. There were girls — including herself — who got their starts playing on the youth team from Oak Hill. And then there were girls who had played for Manchaca, Oak Hill's rival.
"We were like, 'I hated you,' " said Reveles, Bowie's backup pitcher.
The animosity was ingrained, for Reveles and other Lady Bulldogs, when they were as young as 9 or 10, as players for the rival youth teams.
Every Bowie player who will be playing in this year's state tournament, which begins today at McCombs Field on the University of Texas campus, got her start on one of the two local teams.
Players say it was on those squads where they forged their strong friendships, which have played a part in Bowie's 31-4 season and playoff run.
As for any hard feelings from their days at either Manchaca or Oak Hill, Reveles said she and others got over that pretty quickly.
"Now we're best friends," she said.
"They're all way close together," said Bowie coach Cathie Johnson-Landers. "They get along, and that's one reason we're as good as we are."
For five senior Lady Bulldogs, Friday's Class 5A state semifinal against defending state champion Garland will determine whether they end their high school careers or get one more chance to play with their longtime friends and teammates.
Winning state — this is Bowie's second straight trip to the state tournament, having been eliminated by Garland in last year's semifinals — always has been a top goal, senior first baseman Jenny Varteressan said, but having so many of the same teammates throughout the entire ride as a player has been even better.
"I never knew we'd all be on the same high school team and work together this good, so that's definitely a surprise," said Vanteressan, who played for Oak Hill before moving to Manchaca.
That familiarity with each other, either playing with or against each other for nearly 10 years, gives them an edge, senior second baseman Candace Velasquez said.
"We know where to pick up each other, and most importantly, we know how to pick up each other," Velasquez said.
Players understand when it's time to leave a player alone after a strikeout, and when to offer encouragement.
They don't reminisce often about their early playing days, but those old stories do come up occasionally, she said.
"We talk about how we've grown and how different we are now," she said.
One constant, though, has been Blaire Luna, Bowie's pitching ace who last week shut down No. 1-ranked Smithson Valley, holding the Lady Rangers scoreless for 28 of the 29 innings in the three-game Region IV-5A finals series.
The Lady Bulldogs, Luna said, are focused on Friday's semifinal against Garland. Players have moved on from their childhood rivalries.
"It's kind of in the past," Luna said. "We have little memories of playing each other and who was better."
When pressed, however, the Manchaca-raised Luna expressed no doubt over which youth team was superior.
"Our team, of course," she said.
Latest National Rankings
May 30, 2008
National Softball Fab 50 Rankings
Mark Tennis
StudentSportsSoftball.com Senior Editor
It may be down to the last weekend in the race to see which school will be No. 1 in the nation in softball, but then again, maybe it isn't.
On Saturday night, in the CIF Southern Section Division I championship, which is the toughest title in the nation to win, given the single-elimination format and the All-American nature of many of the top players from the top teams, the mythical Rivals.com FAB 50 national title can be achieved if Simi Valley High wins it and wraps up a 31-0 season record.
The Pioneers put themselves into that position by winning twice earlier this week, including 1-0 on Tuesday in the semifinals over Norco, and have been helped from losses suffered by three teams ranked higher than them in the last FAB 50.
Previous No. 1 Sheldon of Sacramento did win the CIF Sac-Joaquin Section Division I title, but the Huskies also lost a game in that double-elimination format playoffs and have to drop behind four teams in this week's FAB 50. Previous No. 2 Klein Oak was ousted in the Class 5A state regional semifinals in Texas by two-time defending champ Garland, while previous No. 3 Escondido was upset in the CIF San Diego Section Division I playoffs by Helix of La Mesa.
Since Simi Valley is the only unbeaten team in power-packed California, that makes the Pioneers an obvious choice to finish No. 1 in that state's final rankings should they win on Saturday.
It's not going to be an easy task for head coach Russ Michael's squad to win that last game, either. The Pioneers will be facing defending FAB 50 national champion Valencia, which advanced to the final with a 3-2 win over Santiago of Corona. They will have to find a way to limit the damage that Valencia All-American Jessica Spigner unleashed against Santiago. The University of Tennessee-bound standout ripped a pair of homers and pitched a six-hitter in that game.
If Simi Valley loses, Sheldon would move back up to No. 1 for California but to get back to No. 1 in the nation would need a lot of help, beginning this weekend in the Class 4A state championships in North Carolina and Texas where No. 3 Butler and No. 4 Aledo are favored.
Also regarded as a strong favorite is Broad Run of Virginia. The Spartans won their 53rd straight game on Thursday with a 7-0 state playoff win over Fluvanna. They've also now gone 79-1 over the last three years and have five players headed to Division I colleges, led by pitcher Caitlyn Delahaba (Villanova).
A Simi Valley loss on Saturday would likely move up Broad Run to No. 1 in the FAB 50. And since the Spartans still have games to play after this weekend in their state playoffs, a Simi Valley loss also would extend the suspense over the final No. 1 ranking.
Another team that could be considered a national No. 1 contender is unbeaten Butler of Matthews, N.C. The Bulldogs ran their win streak to 56 games by blanking West Forsyth, 11-0 in the fourth round of the state Class 4A playoffs. University of North Carolina-bound Constance Orr hurled a two-hitter and drove in six runs with a 3-for-4 effort including two doubles. Butler will bid for its third straight state title this weekend in the Final Four. The Bulldogs haven't allowed an earned run all season.
Read below for the new Rivals.com FAB 50 national rankings for softball:
(Listed with most currently reported win-loss record as of May 28)
(Previous FAB 50 ranking in parentheses)
(Contributing: Doug Huff, Paul Muyskens)
1. Simi Valley (Simi Valley, Calif.) 30-0 (5)
2. Broad Run (Ashburn, Va.) 25-0 (4)
3. Butler (Charlotte, N.C.) 25-0 (9)
4. Aledo (Aledo, Texas) 36-1-1 (7)
5. Sheldon (Sacramento, Calif.) 32-2 (1)
6. Sunrise Mountain (Peoria, Ariz.) 34-2 (8)
7. Naples (Naples, Fla.) 28-3 (11)
8. Pembroke Pines Charter (Pembroke Pines, Fla.) 30-1 (12)
9. Canyon del Oro (Tucson, Ariz.) 32-4 (15)
10. Garland (Garland, Texas) 31-5-2 (20)
11. Klein Oak (Klein, Texas) 24-2 (2)
12. Central Davidson (Lexington, N.C.) 29-0 (16)
13. Ooltewah (Chattanooga, Tenn.) 46-3-1 (13)
14. Valencia (Valencia, Calif.) 28-5 (40)
15. Bowie (Austin, Texas) 31-4 (32)
16. Basha (Chandler, Ariz.) 32-4 (17)
17. Santiago (Corona, Calif.) 26-4 (13)
18. Palmetto (Miami, Fla.) 26-3 (19)
19. Elyria (Elyria, Ohio) 22-1 (21)
20. Hueytown (Hueytown, Ala.) 61-5-2 (23)
21. Bartram Trail (Jacksonville, Fla.) 30-3 (27)
22. Venice (Venice, Fla.) 31-1 (28)
23. Burlington Central (Burlington, Ill.) 32-1 (25)
24. Norco (Norco, Calif.) 29-6 (24)
25. Cibola (Albuquerque, N.M.) 31-1 (33)
26. San Benito (Hollister, Calif.) 28-4 (41)
27. Mt. Carmel (San Diego, Calif.) 27-4 (30)
28. Smithson Valley (Spring Branch, Texas) 32-4 (10)
29. Hoover (North Canton, Ohio) 25-2 (31)
30. Eastlake (Sammamish, Wash.) 26-4 (nr)
31. Shadle Park (Spokane, Wash.) 28-1 (6)
32. Hickory (Chesapeake, Va.) 24-1 (29)
33. Archbishop Mitty (San Jose, Calif.) 23-3-1 (nr)
34. Palm Beach Gardens (Palm Beach, Fla.) 30-5 (34)
35. South Panola (Batesville, Miss.) 30-4 (35)
36. Ryle (Union, Ky.) 28-3 (39)
37. Elk Grove (Elk Grove, Calif.) 27-4 (nr)
38. Mandarin (Jacksonville, Fla.) 26-3 (18)
39. Odessa (Odessa, Texas) 33-4-3 (nr)
40. Eau Gallie (Melbourne, Fla.) 28-2 (42)
41. Mt. Carmel Academy (New Orleans, La.) 29-5-2 (43)
42. Byrd (Shreveport, La.) 31-2-1 (44)
43. Escondido (Escondido, Calif.) 27-1-1 (3)
44. Kennedy (La Palma, Calif.) 29-4 (14)
45. Spanish Springs (Sparks, Nev.) 31-5 (47)
46. Sandra Day O'Connor (Glendale, Ariz.) 27-5-1 (48)
47. St. Joseph (Hammonton, N.J.) 25-1 (49)
48. Alvin (Alvin, Texas) 33-9 (nr)
49. Bingham (Salt Lake City, Utah) 28-3 (nr)
50. Plainfield Central (Plainfield, Ill.) 28-2 (nr)
Dropped Out: Previous No. 22 Brazoswood (Clute, Texas); No. 26 Jesuit (Portland, Ore.); No. 35 El Camino (Oceanside, Calif.); No. 36 Carl Sandburg (Orland Park, Ill.); No. 45 Hart (Newhall, Calif.); No. 46 Center Grove (Greenwood, Ind.); No. 50 Hatboro-Horsham (Horsham, Pa.).
Friday, June 13
Our Pitcher - Blaire
HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS
Bowie's Luna earns All-State honors
By By Rick Cantu
AMERICAN-STATESMAN STAFF
Thursday, June 12, 2008
Bowie High School pitcher Blaire Luna leads a group of Central Texas softball players named to the all-state team, which was released Wednesday.
Luna, a junior, pitched Bowie to its second straight appearance in the state tournament, finishing the season with an ERA of 0.08.
Other Central Texas players who made the all-state teams are Vista Ridge second baseman Alyson Pulver (Class 4A), San Marcos' Katie Nichols (5A), Vista Ridge's Taylor Thom (4A), Jordan Masek of Giddings (3A), Hutto shortstop Kelsi Weseman (3A), Erica Hollingshead of Lago Vista (2A), Lindsey Coffey of Salado (2A), Angel Bigan of Thorndale (1A), Kelsee Miller of Thrall (1A) and Jordan Ham of Thrall (1A).
The team was picked by the Texas Girls Coaches Association.
Blaire is our Player of the Year
Luna nabs Central Texas MVP award
By Danny Davis | Friday, June 13, 2008, 01:58 PM
The American-Statesman released its annual All-Central Texas Softball Team on Friday and taking home the Player of the Year award was Bowie star pitcher Blaire Luna.
Luna, a junior, allowed just three earned runs in 137 innings for Bowie and the Lady Bulldogs advanced to the Class 5A championship game in May. She is the second-ever person from Bowie (Laura Patton, 1994) and third player from the AISD to win the award.
First Team: P Blaire Luna Junior Bowie, P Ashley Kirk Junior Stony Point, P Paige Sandahl Senior Dripping Springs, C Janie Jaurez Senior Lockhart, 1B Ashley Morgan Senior Austin High, 2B Alyson Pulver Senior Vista Ridge, 3B Keanna Winkfield Junior Giddings, SS Kelsi Weseman Senior Hutto, OF Sam Beeson Junior Bowie, OF Coralee Ramirez Soph. Vista Ridge, UT Dawn Villegas Senior San Marcos, DP Brittany Mack Senior Westwood
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