Coahoma shuts out Emory Rains, punches return ticket to 3A UIL softball state championship

Sophomore ace Hannah Wells tossed a complete-game, one-hitter to lead the Bulldogs past Emory Rains 1-0 in the 3A state semifinals to reach their second straight state title game

AUSTIN, Texas — The Coahoma Bulldogs have bullied most of their opponents this season with one of the most explosive, high-scoring offenses in Texas high school softball.

But in a tense state semifinal showdown versus Emory Rains on Wednesday afternoon, the Bulldogs' bats went mostly quiet and the team instead leaned on its ace and small-ball defense.

In her second career state tournament start, standout sophomore Hannah Wells shined in the circle and prevented the Wildcats' hitters from ever getting in sync during a stellar performance.

Coahoma's star sophomore tossed a complete-game, one-hitter to shut out Rains and lead the Bulldogs to a 1-0 pitchers' duel win in the Class 3A UIL softball state semifinals at the University of Texas' Red & Charline McCombs Field.

Wells struck out 11, walked four and gave up just one single after carrying a no-hitter into the top of the fifth through 7.0 scoreless innings pitched during an efficient 109-pitch outing.

The victory propels Coahoma into the 3A UIL state championship game for the second straight season, where the Bulldogs will meet Santa Gertrudis Academy for a shot to win their first state title since 1998.

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Emory Rains (33-8) finishes its 2023 campaign with the loss, snapping an 18-game winning streak and spoiling the Wildcats' quest for their third state title in the last five years.

Coahoma (35-3), meanwhile, extends its now 23-game winning streak with the victory and advances to the Class 3A UIL state championship for the second consecutive season after falling 6-5 to Hallettsville in last year's state title game.

The Bulldogs will battle the Santa Gertrudis Academy Lions (40-5) in the 3A state championship game at 1 p.m. on Thursday, June 1st, at Red & Charline McCombs Field at the University of Texas in Austin.

Check out SBLive's exclusive photo gallery from the Class 3A UIL softball state semifinal game:

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PHOTO GALLERY — COAHOMA 1, EMORY RAINS 0

All photos by Andrew McCulloch