Midland Christian players celebrate after beating Fort Worth Christian, 8-5, in the TAPPS Division II state semifinal, May 18, 2026, in Arlington.
Abby Pfaff/TAPPS Media
Midland Christian’s Maddy Munoz delivers a pitch to a Fort Worth Christian batter during the TAPPS Division II state semifinal, May 18, 2026, in Arlington.
Abby Pfaff/TAPPS Media
ARLINGTON – The Midland Christian softball team unfurled a banner that read “State Bound” after it defeated district foe Grapevine Faith Christian, 12-2, in the regional round last week.
The next step was redemption. That had been on the minds of MCS coaches and players ever since a heartbreaking 6-5 loss to eventual TAPPS Division II champion Austin Hyde Park in last year’s state semifinal.
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The Lady Mustangs resolved to make amends for that loss. Mission accomplished as MCS knocked off district rival Fort Worth Christian, 8-5, Monday at Allan Saxe Field on the UT-Arlington campus, to advance to Tuesday’s state championship contest.
In the TAPPS Division II championship matchup – slated for 9 a.m. start – Midland Christian will battle Victoria St. Joseph (25-4), which defeated Houston Cypress Christian, 5-3, in the other state semifinal.
The Lady Mustangs rallied from a 5-3 deficit through four innings against the Cardinals, adding single runs in the fifth and sixth, then pushing across three runs in the top of the seventh in Monday’s Division II state semifinal.
“One hundred percent grit and determination,” said Midland Christian head coach Stephanie Honaker. “All the credit to the girls for hanging in there, kept fighting, remaining calm and focused.”
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MCS (31-4) jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the top of the second, with a Marisela Hernandez one-out bunt single, a costly Fort Worth Christian error, and singles by Adaia Hardy and Annie Munoz.
Fort Worth Christian immediately responded with a three-run second, highlighted by Grace Johnson uncorking a two-run homer.
The Lady Cardinals (25-8) added a run in the bottom of the third and another in the fourth, that left the Lady Mustangs with a 5-3 deficit.
“Give credit to the Fort Worth Christian hitters,” said coach Honaker. “They did a good job of getting some key hits.”
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MCS senior Kyler Graham said the team “did not panic.”
Graham, a year ago, singled in a run in the bottom of the seventh that narrowed the Hyde Park lead to 6-5, but was stranded on third when the game ended.
This time, Graham fueled a rally that led to a different outcome. In the top of the fifth, Graham drilled a one-out double to score Mylee Wilson, who had singled, closing the gap to 5-4.
Hernandez started the top of the sixth being hit by a pitch, and came around to score the tying run on another costly Fort Worth Christian error.
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“We just kept chipping away,” said Honaker. “One run in the fifth. One in the sixth. Those were huge runs for us.”
Shortstop Annie Munoz agreed with her head coach.
“I thought those two runs were the biggest runs in the game,” said Munoz. “Maybe the season. We have worked so hard all year to get to this point. We just stayed focused and trusted each other.”
The Lady Mustangs completed the comeback in the top of the seventh, sending nine batters to the plate. Maddy Munoz and Nevaeh Williams began with back-to-back singles. Hernandez moved flex runner Brityn Horton (for Munoz) and Williams over with a sacrifice bunt. Macey Wilson then grounded to the second baseman, but Horton beat the throw to the plate for the go-ahead run. Hardy then produced an RBI single. Annie Munoz walked to load the bases. Mylee Wilson, the next hitter, walked to force in an added run.
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One of a quartet of seniors, Macey Wilson said the team’s confidence and trust in each other made this comeback possible.
“We believe in each other,” said Wilson. “We trust each other. Having each other’s back.”
The bottom of the seventh belonged to sophomore pitching sensation Maddy Munoz, who struck out the side, in her only 1-2-3 inning in the contest.
“I was really confident going back out there in the last inning,” said Maddy Munoz, who registered 15 strikeouts in the game. “No way we were gonna lose this game.”
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Williams, another of those all-important senior leaders, is a huge reason for Maddy Munoz’ success in the circle as a catcher.
“I could see how she was incredibly focused and in control in that last half inning,” said Williams, a Lubbock Christian University commit.”Total confidence. She was in complete control there. I could feel we had it.”
The Lady Mustangs now are ready to complete the journey, bringing home a state championship, which Midland Christian last won in 2007.
The four seniors all said it is now time to “finish the job”.
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Maddy Munoz yielded eight hits while walking three in tossing a complete game.
Annie Munoz, freshman Mylee Wilson, Graham and Hardy each had two hits to pace the Lady Mustangs 11-hit attack.
MCS 8, FORT WORTH CHRISTIAN 5
Midland Christian 030 011 3 — 8 11 1
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Fort Worth Christian 031 100 0 — 5 8 2
Maddy Munoz and Nevaeh Williams. Gabby Bright and Grace Johnson. W — Maddy Munoz 23-1. L — Gabby Bright 16-7. 2B — MCS: Kyler Graham; FWC: Ava Ridge. HR — FWC: Grace Johnson.