'What a year': VYPE names first-time state champion Second Baptist Private School Softball Team of the Year

About two months since clinching its first state crown, the Second Baptist softball program earned another honor it can be proud of: VYPE Private School Softball Team of the Year.

The team’s accolade was among Second Baptist’s haul from the 2021 VYPE Awards last month.

“Lots of #SBSeagles brought home hardware at the @vypehouston Awards Show tonight!!! What a year for @SBS_Houston and @SBS_Athletics,” the school’s athletic department tweeted on June 27.

Head coach Brandy Mardis helmed a team that was essentially a youth movement – there were only two seniors on the roster.

But that didn’t stop Second Baptist from marching into the 2021 TAPPS Division II State Championship and walloping Faith Christian 13-0.

Penn-bound Rachel Riley, whom VYPE named its Private School Softball Player of the Year, not only impressed on the mound but proudly played the mentor role to her underclassmen teammates.

She left Second Baptist with a senior-season line of a 15-5 record with 151 strikeouts and just 25 walks, and a 2.21 ERA in 110 innings.