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HOUSTON – It was a moment that they've been so close to for the past three years.

Each time though, the season instead ended in heartbreak and them standing by watching the opposing team celebrate and dog-pile in the middle of the field as Regional Champions.

But not this time.

With a swinging strikeout, Alyssa LeBlanc flung her glove into the air as catcher Cait Calland raced out to her with the rest of the team in tow to embrace and jump around in celebration after a 12-3 victory over Deer Park propelled Katy to its first State Tournament since 2015 on Thursday.

"Our seniors have been in this situation for four-straight years and have been beaten in the Regional Finals," Katy coach Kalum Haack said. "It's not only frustrating but it's disheartening because it's such a great group of kids. I'm really going to miss these guys.

"For them to overcome finally and put it all together, I'm really proud of them and excited for them that they're going to get to experience something very few people get to experience in their careers."

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