LSA's Marcus Cantu
Here are the UTMB Baseball Athletes of the Week, as we enter the thick of District-play this Spring.
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Garritt Romero -- Dawson Baseball
Jamey Wright (VYPE)
After a relatively slow start to the season, Dawson has found its rhythm in district play, surging to a perfect 5-0 start in 22-6A. The Eagles continued their dominance on Saturday with a commanding 9-3 victory over Shadow Creek.
While Dawsonβs offense has been productiveβhighlighted by Jack Dyment (.415 BA, 13 RBI, 1 HR), Aiden Villanueva (.273 BA, 4 RBI), and Maddox Botas (.250 BA, 4 RBI)βitβs their pitching staff that has truly set them apart.
At the forefront of that effort is ace Garritt Romero (Centenary College-commit), who has delivered in multiple ways. On the mound, he boasts a 4-0 record with a 1.93 ERA and 24 strikeouts, while also contributing at the plate with a .233 average and five RBIs.
Competing in 22-6A is no easy task, but if Dawson maintains this momentum, they could be a serious challenger to Pearland for the district title.
Nico Partida -- Pearland Baseball
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
Picking up right where they left off after last seasonβs UIL 6A State Final appearance, Pearland has carried that momentum into the spring, posting a strong 12-5 record through the first wave of district play (4-1).
As expected, the heartbeat of this Oilers squad has been none other than Nicholas βNicoβ Partida.
The Texas A&M-commit bleeds aura wherever heβs placedβwhether commanding the infield from his home at shortstop, taking the mound, or stepping up to the plate and making opposing pitchers think twice before throwing him a breaking ball.
Partida leads the Oilers with an elite .512 batting average, while also tallying 15 RBIs and three home runs so far this season.
Critics may question whether Pearland can replicate last yearβs success, but as long as Partida is in the mix, the Oilers remain a legitimate threat to make another deep postseason run come June.
Marcus Cantu -- Lutheran South Academy Baseball
Jamey Wright (VYPE)
Under the leadership of coach Aaron Schneider, Lutheran South Academy has stormed through the early season with an impressive 18-1-1 record, earning them the No. 2 ranking in Texas, according to MaxPreps.
LSA was already recognized as a powerhouse before the spring, boasting elite talent like LSU commit Omar Serna (Sr. C) and Texas State-bound Victor Coronado.
However, this yearβs squad seems determined to avenge last seasonβs Regional Final loss to Kelly Catholic and take things a step further.
While the Pioneers have no shortage of star power, the most consistent offensive presence thus far has been junior Marcus Cantu. A Texas-commit himself, Cantu has been a steady force both at the plate and on defense, providing reliability in key moments.
If LSA keeps up this level of dominance, a TAPPS-5A State Title might not just be a goalβit could be an expectation.
Hunter Heath -- Clear Springs Baseball
Thanks to a strong core of returning talent, the Clear Springs Chargers have picked up right where they left off after last seasonβs Regional Semifinal run.
The team has surged to an 11-5-1 record this spring and opened district play in dominant fashion, sweeping Clear Brook (Game 1: 2-1, Game 2: 9-2).
While the Chargers' bullpen has been solid, their clutch hitting has been a driving force behind their early success.
Leading the charge at the plate has been senior Hunter Heath, whose standout performance against 5A powerhouse Barbers Hill (4-4, 2B, HR, 2 RBI) helped propel Clear Springs to an 8-3 victory last week.
Primarily stationed at third base, Heath also provides versatility across the infield and is more than capable of stepping up on the mound when needed. Furthermore, his all-around reliability ultimately earned him a commitment to Galveston College.
With plenty of baseball left in the regular season, Clear Springs looks poised to secure another postseason berth.
Noah Nelson -- Santa Fe Baseball
Doug Brown (VYPE)
The Indians opened district play on a high note with a 3-1 victory over Angleton this past Friday, improving their record to 7-5 on the season.
While their overall record may not stand out, it doesnβt truly reflect the level of talent Santa Fe brings to the diamond.
The Indians have already faced elite competition, including defending 6A state champion Tomball, SPC-4A runner-up Episcopal, Katy Tompkins, and TAPPS-III state runner-up Bay Area Christian.
Those tough matchups should have them well-prepared to compete for the District 20-5A title.
Among the various weapons in coach Ronnie Wulfβs threatening lineup, the most consistent is Noah Nelson.
The junior OF/RHP boasts a .500 batting average, leading the team with 19 hits while also tallying 12 RBIs, nine doubles, one triple, and a home runβall in just 40 plate appearances.
Nelson is complemented by key contributors like Ronnie Rouse (.343 BA, 13 RBI, 6 2B, 1 HR), Jackson Higgins (.342 BA, 9 RBI, 5 2B, 1 3B, 1 HR), and Jayce Richardson (.345 BA, 7 RBI, 4 2B, 2 HR), rounding out a well-balanced lineup.
Santa Fe has its sights set on surpassing last yearβs run to the Regional Semifinals, but first, theyβll have to navigate a competitive district slate featuring Iowa Colony, Friendswood, and La Porte.
