Matthew Ogle (VYPE)
In a game marked by early offensive fireworks, the Mustangs weathered a back-and-forth battle before pulling away with clutch hitting and dominant relief pitching.
Senior right-hander Ben Chen earned 5A-D2 State MVP honors after entering the game in the third inning and shutting down a red-hot Kingwood Park lineup the rest of the way.
Senior RHP Ben Chen accepts the 5A-D2 State MVP AwardMatthew Ogle (VYPE)
Chen, who finished the season a perfect 10-0, held the Panthers scoreless from the fourth inning on, before fellow senior Sam DuRard secured the save in the seventh.
“There was a lot of scoring early, and I was in the bullpen when Coach Webster got on the radio,” Chen said. “I had never really come in as a reliever before, but he just told me to shut it down—so I did my best.”
Grapevine (36-3) came out swinging, opening the scoring with an RBI single from junior catcher Gianni Corral in the top of the first. But Kingwood Park quickly countered, plating two runs in their half of the inning and then taking a 5-4 lead by the end of the third.
Refusing to back down, the Mustangs rallied in the fourth. A sacrifice fly from senior Zack Goldstein tied the game, and Corral came through again with a go-ahead single. Moments later, in a heads-up baserunning sequence, Corral stole second as Jarett Boswell dashed home on the throw, stretching the lead to 7-5.
(Left to Right) Grapevine's Gianni Corral, Brady Boozer, and Lale Esquivel
“It was back and forth early, but we just kept believing in what we do,” Corral said. “We knew once we settled in, we’d be tough to stop.”
Grapevine padded its lead in the seventh inning with an RBI single from sophomore shortstop Connor Ray, who later scored on a wild pitch to make it 9-5. The insurance runs helped seal a win that not only capped a dominant season, but also reinforced a championship culture taking hold in Grapevine.
“This one feels a little more special to me, personally,” Chen reflected. “I was one of our core guys this time around, and with it being my last year, there’s somewhat more of an impact.”
Corral echoed the sentiment. “Doing it as an underclassman last season was definitely a big deal. But coming back and doing it again—that leaves a stamp. A legacy.”
The Mustangs placed six players on the All-Tournament team: Corral, Ray, Boswell, Esquivel, Goldstein, and DuRard. Each made key contributions throughout the playoff run, including senior pitcher Sam DuRard, who helped Grapevine reach the final with strong semifinal work, and junior third baseman Lale Esquivel, who chipped in with timely hits and steady defense.
Head Coach Jimmy Webster embraces freshman Luke Esquivel moments after their championship acquisitionMatthew Ogle (VYPE)
With the win, Coach Webster’s squad not only finished with a 36-3 overall record but also became just the second Grapevine team ever to repeat as state champions—joining the 2016 team in the record books.
For a program that’s long prided itself on development, chemistry, and consistency, Friday’s win was more than just another trophy—it was a continuation of a legacy that’s still very much in the making.
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