Haley Carmona's shutout leads New Braunfels Canyon past Colleyville Heritage in Texas (UIL) 5A softball semis

Sixth inning triple from sophomore Markaylee Maldonado broke open the pitching duel

Sophomore left fielder Markaylee Maldonado's line drive triple deep to the right field wall drove in two runs to break open a pitching duel in the the sixth inning of the Texas 5A state semifinals. 

New Braunfels Canyon held on to beat Colleyville Heritage 2-0 on Friday afternoon at University of Texas' Red and Charline McCombs Field to advance to the Texas 5A state softball championship game. 

>> Live updates: Texas (UIL) state high school softball 5A, 6A semifinals

Senior pitcher Haley Carmona (30-0) delivered the shutdown performance of her career. She allowed just two hits and a walk in a complete game shutout for the Cougars. She struck out four of the 22 batters faced and threw 72 pitches in seven innings. 

After five scoreless innings, Canyon takes the lead in the 5A state semis 🥎🔥

Sophomore Markaylee Maldonado breaks it open with a two-RBI triple ⤵️@Nbcanyonsoftba1 | @uiltexas

LIVE UPDATES: https://t.co/cMOTLxp7qs pic.twitter.com/U9pPAIobNH

— Texas High School On SI (@SBLiveTX) June 2, 2023

Colleyville Heritage's junior pitcher Lindsey McConnell struck out five, walked three, allowed three hits and gave up two earned runs — the two Maldonado drove in — across six innings.

Maldonado attempted to sneak home for an inside the park home run on her triple, but was tagged out at the plate. 

Canyon will face Montgomery Lake Creek, the nation's No. 1 ranked softball team and defending 5A champs, in the title on Saturday at 1 p.m.

Led by Ava Brown, Montgomery Lake Creek thumped Frisco Heritage 9-0 in the 5A semifinals the game prior.

This story will be updated.