The Celina Bobcats are geared up and ready to go for the UIL Class 4A State Semifinal matchup against Sinton. Celina is in their second-ever state tournament appearance (first in two decades) and doesn't look to be slowing down as they near the biggest stage in Texas High School baseball. VYPE DFW dives into what fans can expect from this resilient Bobcat squad.
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A Look Back
After deep playoff push last season ending in heartbreak, Celina made sure to come into this season with a brand new mentality and a goal to get as far as they could. Without looking in the rearview, the team played strong through preseason before posting a 12-0 undefeated district record to finish at the top of their district. The Bobcats have allowed only 72 runs all season while battling at high-level performance on the field. At the plate, Celina has been a force to be reckoned with. Through playoffs, Celina has shown tough resiliency as they have bounced back after every misstep- ready to get back to the state tournament and secure their second state title.
Who To Watch:
Oklahoma signee Noah Bentley has his eight home runs while driving in 33 RBIs so far this season. A strong hitter, Bentley can be expected to hit smart from the plate. Tennessee Tech commit Jackson Rooker has averaged .409 with 10 doubles. Baylor signee RJ Ruais has averaged .402 at the plate with six home runs. Junior Sean Rabe is great at getting on ase with a .416 batting average- moreover, though, Rabe is stealthy on the run with 14 stolen bases this season. Defensively, Ruais has posted a 0.89 ERA with 121 strikeouts so far this season while senior Cole Marthiljohni has posted a 1.69 ERA and 73 strikeouts.
Sinton (34-1)
Sinton is making their 11th appearance at state and going for their fourth state title. After falling short last season, there's no doubt that the Pirates are going to want to do nothing more than take out Celina and advance to the state title game. With a slew of talented athletes like Texas signee Ryan Galvin and senior Wyatt Wiatrek, Sinton is a fast-paced team who knows how to read the opposing pitchers well.
What To Expect:
Celina is going to fight hard against Sinton. Although Sinton comes into the game with a chip on their shoulder from last season, that may also prove to be their downfall. Focusing on winning after falling short can prove to be a hinderance. However, Celina is going to have to fight for it if they truly want to make it to the State Finals. The team has shown their ability to set the tone or play up to their opponent, but in this do-or-die situation they are not going to be able to miss a single cue. Expect the Bobcats to fight to the finish in what might be one of the best state semifinal matchups fans have ever seen.
The game is set to begin at 4 p.m. on Wednesday, June 8th at UFCU Disch Field in Austin, Texas.
