A magical season for Corrigan-Camden softball ended Thursday night, as Ganado took a second win in as many games with scores of 19-2 and 8-1. The Maidens move on to the state championship, as the Lady Dogs end as state semifinalists at 25-8-1.
Ganado scored early and often Tuesday, starting in the first inning with a walk and stolen base. A sacrifice grounder pushed the runner to third, and a walk set up a two-run double.
Corrigan-Camden answered in the bottom half, as Cammy Parrish walked, K.K. Johnson grounded into a fielder's choice, and Addison Garcia reached on error. Skye Six walked to load the bags with two outs. A wild pitch got Parrish across for the Lady Dogs' only run until the seventh.
A double, error and sacrifice grounder got a run in for Ganado in the second inning for a 3-1 lead. It would be the last time they were held to one run in an inning.
The Maidens got two runs in the third, three in the fourth, two in the fifth and nine in the sixth, ending the game early.
The Lady Dogs did fight in the bottom of the sixth, as Six was hit by a pitch, Traelynn Harrington walked, and Kaylee Garcia singled to load the bases. Parrish also walked to drive in the final Corrigan run.
“They are a good team – real good team. They are fast and can hit,” Corrigan-Camden coach Rusti Hall said of Ganado. “It doesn't help that we had eight errors. We can battle and we can compete better than we did, but it is going to be tough.”
Though chances looked bleak after a large loss, the coaching staff wanted the team to have a positive attitude going into what could be their final contest of the season.
“We told them to enjoy it,” Hall said. “There is a lot of other teams in the state of Texas that would love to be here right now. There are five of us that will never come back here. We may never get the chance to come back here. There are coaches that have coached their whole lives and never get to the state semifinals. We are very fortunate that we are here. It is just when you run into a team like that, it makes it not feel so fortunate.”
The Lady Dogs battled in Game 2 Thursday, but to no avail. They would get runners in scoring position to open the game without pushing a run across.
Meanwhile, the Maidens picked up where they left off Tuesday, with a runner reaching by error, wild pitch, triple and sacrifice grounder producing a 2-0 advantage. A solo homer in the second made it 3-0.
In the top of the third, Johnson walked, Addison Garcia singled, and Kaylee Garcia walked to load the bases. Six also took a base on balls, driving in the lone Lady Dog run.
Ganado buffered their lead in the next two frames, with three runs in the third and a two-run homer in the fourth.
Corrigan did hold the Maiden offensive attack scoreless over the final two innings, a first in the series.
For a team led by players who last year weren’t in high school, reaching the final four of the Class 2A Division 1 state tournament is an incredible feat that most schools only dream of.
“Who would have thought in January that we could be playing in May? They make it fun,” Hall said. “I have been building the program now for five years, so this is where I wanted to build it to. This is for the future; it makes young girls want to play softball. That is what it's all about – building young ladies that will go on to be successful in life.”
Hall said there were several students in the stands that may wish to be part of softball next year after seeing the experience of 2025.
The coach smiled when thinking about her seniors.
“I have a special group. They have been with me through it all, and through all the butt-kickings. I wish I had my third baseman (Parrish) all four years. My first baseman (Addison Garcia), I have a lot of love for her. We didn't get along her freshman and sophomore year, but she would do anything I asked of her. She has pitched and caught, and now she had to play first base her senior year. It is special.”
With only two holes to fill in the starting lineup, Hall said those corner positions on the diamond may be taken by younger players that will be at Corrigan next year or by players currently on the team without a starting role.
“We will be competitive again next year, and we will have kids competing for spots.”
The competition for playing time in Corrigan-Camden softball will be fierce in 2026. The future is bright for the program, and it seems a new standard has been set in North Polk County.
