To say I had an absolute blast covering Aledo High School baseball and softball this year would be an understatement. The softball team made another impressive run to the state semifinals after reaching the same round in 2024. I remember my sunburnt forehead after that contest and was eager to get back to Round Rock for more excitement on the diamond in 2025.
This time, the baseball team made its deepest run in more than a decade.
Aledo’s championship hiatus lasted 11 years — to the day — after the 2025 Bearcats hoisted the gold trophy and were adorned with gold UIL medals following an 8-1 victory over Smithson Valley inside of Dell Diamond Stadium.
Getting to be on the field and see the water bottles spraying above a raucous dogpile of adrenaline-rushed teenagers in an emotionally charged and exciting scene was a sight to behold. Witnessing and feeling the sheer joy from all involved was such a rewarding experience for me as a journalist.
It is always fun to follow a team and its success to the pinnacle. The celebrations remind you how hard these kids and coaches worked to earn the rewards they sought from the goals they placed in front of them.
It is so easy to write off details of practices, drills, philosophical discussions, and interview answers as “rhetoric” or “checking a box.” However, when you are covering the majority of these games, you can get a temperature of the dugout and see the authentic interactions — that’s when you can see how true everyone is set to their mission.
This group was a special group — they stayed true to their mission the whole time. They followed coach Chad Barry’s instructions with diligence and put it all into action during the most critical stretches of the season time and time again. The jovial, joking nature from the athletes provided for fun dugout banter and contributed to the positive energy of games, athletic banquets, and post-game events alike.
It was truly a pleasure getting to cover this team up close and personal. And wow, what a historic season it turned out to be. It is rare to find a culture where excellence, expectations, and fun can blend together in such harmony, and the Bearcats’ baseball program has the right culture, coaches, and players to propel this level of success for years to come.
I hope to continue to witness greatness and make more memories just as I did this year. I appreciate the level of respect everyone inside and around the program treated me with consistently. None of it goes unnoticed.
Thank you Aledo baseball for providing me so much joy to my job!
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