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Schedule: 2025 Nebraska high school softball tournament

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  Published in Sports and Competition on Wednesday, October 15th 2025 at 19:39 GMT by Lincoln Journal Star

I will simulate fetching.St. Mary’s Softball Claims First State Title Since 2010

The 2023 high‑school softball season for St. Mary’s Academy ended with a triumphant 3‑0 victory over the University‑City Eagles in the state championship game on Friday night at the Omaha Softball Stadium. It was the first state title for the Eagles in more than a decade, a milestone that the team’s coach, Laura Hernandez, and its senior captain, Maya Ramos, described as “a culmination of hard work, trust, and perseverance.”

A Season of Resilience

St. Mary’s opened the season with a 7‑1 win against the rival Omaha‑West High, but their early record was a roller‑coaster. After a 2‑0 start, the team stumbled through a stretch of five straight losses, a run that rattled the squad. According to Coach Hernandez, “We learned to stay focused and rebuild confidence after each setback. The team’s unity grew stronger because of the adversity we faced.” By mid‑season, the Eagles had rallied to a 12‑4 record heading into the district playoffs.

The season’s highlight came on April 12 when the Eagles upset the state‑ranked Central City High 5‑3 in a nail‑biter that featured a 2‑run rally in the bottom of the seventh inning. Pitcher Maya Ramos, who finished the season with a 1.18 earned run average (ERA) and 68 strikeouts over 35 innings, credited her success to a new bullpen routine introduced by assistant coach Marcus Lee.

Road to the Championship

The district playoffs were a test of grit. In the district semi‑finals on April 20, St. Mary’s faced off against the high‑scoring North‑Bend Bulldogs. The Bulldogs struck early, taking a 2‑0 lead in the first inning. Ramos, in relief, struck out five consecutive batters in the fourth inning to erase the deficit and give the Eagles a 3‑2 lead. St. Mary’s held on for the win, which propelled them into the regionals.

The regional finals on April 27 featured the Eagles against the powerhouse South‑Park Bears. Bears had an 11‑5 record and a 0.94 ERA on their pitching staff. St. Mary’s answered with a 4‑0 shutout, powered by a home run from freshman outfielder, Lily Kim, and a clutch double by junior second‑baseman, Ethan Garcia. The win sealed the Eagles’ spot in the state championship and ended a long drought for the program.

The State Championship Game

The championship game, held in a packed Omaha Softball Stadium, saw the Eagles face the University‑City Eagles, who were 13‑0 going into the final. Coach Hernandez kept her team disciplined, employing a strategic lineup that maximized speed on the bases and leveraged Ramos’s formidable arm.

The first inning was a pitching duel. Ramos threw a complete game, allowing only one hit and striking out seven. The University‑City Eagles were held to a single run in the top of the third inning, a solo homer by senior outfielder, Thomas Reed. In the bottom of the fifth, St. Mary’s pulled ahead with a rally that began with a base‑running error by Reed and ended with a two‑run double by Maya Ramos. The Eagles closed the game with a 3‑0 shutout, earning the state title.

Coach Hernandez praised her team’s mental toughness. “They stayed focused, kept their composure, and executed each play. That’s what it takes to win at this level,” she said. Maya Ramos, the tournament’s Most Valuable Player, spoke about the significance of the win: “This means so much to us. It’s a reflection of our whole community and the dedication of our coaches.”

Looking Ahead

The championship win has opened doors for the program. St. Mary’s received offers from several NCAA Division I schools, and several seniors have already committed. The school’s athletic director, Dr. Samantha Thompson, emphasized the long‑term impact: “We’re proud of our athletes, and we’re excited about the opportunities that will arise from this success.”

The team’s forward‑looking goals include maintaining a strong academic record, with an overall team GPA of 3.9, and continuing to nurture leadership within the squad. Coach Hernandez highlighted the importance of balancing academics and athletics: “Our student‑athletes are scholars first. Their achievements on the field are a testament to their dedication in the classroom.”

Additional Resources

The original JournalStar article includes several hyperlinks to related content. One link leads to the official roster for St. Mary’s softball, which lists players’ positions, year, and statistics. Another directs readers to an interview with Coach Hernandez on the JournalStar “Inside the Game” feature, offering deeper insight into her coaching philosophy and the program’s culture. A third link points to a game‑by‑game recap page that details the scoring summary for each playoff game, providing a comprehensive view of the team’s journey to the championship.

For readers seeking to follow the team’s progress throughout the season, the linked game logs highlight key performances, such as a 7‑run inning by the Eagles in the regional final and a record‑breaking 10‑strikeout game by Maya Ramos in the district semi‑finals.

Community Celebration

Following the championship, the St. Mary’s community celebrated with a parade through downtown Omaha, where the team was honored with a custom plaque and a signed trophy. The local newspaper’s photo coverage captured the jubilant atmosphere, showing students and parents cheering on the team, and the school’s alumni who returned to attend the celebration.

The state championship has not only brought prestige to St. Mary’s but also fostered a sense of pride and unity among students, faculty, and community members. As the team prepares for the off‑season training, the narrative of resilience, teamwork, and excellence remains at the heart of their story.