2022-23 TWCA Baseball
Following a 2022 season that saw them reach the Area Round of the TAPPS postseason, the Warriors are hungry for more.
This year, they won’t settle for a fourth-place spot in a division that features the reigningTAPPS-II State Champs Second Baptist School, as well as annual contenders Lutheran South Academy and Fort Bend Christian Academy.
Coach Brett Cleveland anticipates that this team will do more than just put up a fight.
“I expect that we’ll be able to pitch and play defense well,” said Cleveland. “We lost quite a bit of thunder in our batting order with our seniors graduating, so trying to replace those guys is going to be the challenge for now..."
"We have some younger guys who are going to step up, so we’ll be ready for that challenge. Due to the realignment, there are two new teams in the district that will make it even tougher. That will make for a fun district season, and the battle for the playoffs is going to be interesting. I think we’ll be in the mix for that.”
TWCA's Chase FuentesBradley C. Collier (VYPE)
This year’s TWCA baseball team will feature several key returning players, namely a set of second-team, all-district honorees — junior catcher Chase Fuentes and seniors Jaden Scrushy (IF), Augie Anderson (1B) and Drew Yeary (IF). There’s nothing like Spring ball and the Warriors are ready for it.
“For me, I’m most looking forward to seeing the guys compete,” Cleveland said. “From practices to games, just the grind of the season, it’s a joy to watch them get after it every day. I think we have a chance this year to be as good as we’ve ever been, as soon as we get it all put together.”
2021-22 Fort Bend Christian Academy Baseball
After reaching the Area Round of the postseason a year ago, the Eagles (10-2 record) have returned with a vengeance. FBCA is currently holding the top spot in their division to begin district play, following their recent series sweep against John XXIII. Lutheran South and Kelly Catholic are on tap.
The pitching for FBCA has been the driving force behind their success.
FBCA's Clay KrischBradley C. Collier (VYPE)
Seniors RHP/IF Clay Krisch (1.50 ERA), RHP Cord Copley (1.58 ERA) and RHP Cameron Kaminsky (2.10) have set the tone for the Eagles staff. In addition, freshman RHP/MIF Landon McKenna has enjoyed a breakout performance on the mound, currently throwing for a 0.95 ERA.
At the plate, senior OF/RHP Brady Dever has been the leader of the lineup with a .576 batting average, 19 hits, 16 runs and 10 RBIs.
FBCA's Brady Dever Cameron Driskill (VYPE)
Furthermore, Clay Kirsch (0.406 BA, 13 H, 14 RBIs), freshman 3B/MIF Carson Morton (0.552 BA, 16 H, 10 RBIs) and senior MIF/RHP Benji Elizondo (0.310 BA, 13 R, 8 SB) have made it difficult for opponents to keep up throughout the first half of the season.
FBCA's Benji ElizondoCameron Driskill (VYPE)
With the second half of Spring already underway, FBCA’s momentum is rapidly increasing as they seek to cap off the year with a district title.
They will have some tough competition with Lutheran South Academy, Second Baptist School and TWCA right on their heels, but the TAPPS postseason will be here before you know it. With that in mind, count on the Eagles to make some noise come the playoffs.
TWCA's Taylor Makiya
As one of the stars of coach Tom Earle’s exceptional group, Makiya’s specialty is the shot put.
What’s most surprising, however, is how much momentum she’s gained having just picked up the shot a few years back.
“I first started competing in track and field in middle school,” said Makiya. “I decided to try shot put and a few other events in eighth grade and I really enjoyed it. After my freshmen year, the offseason felt really slow at first because I had to start up everything again. From there, I worked with a private coach on my form and worked in the gym.”
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
She exploded onto the scene as a freshman earning silver medals in the 2022 District and Regional Meets, before winning gold at last year’s State Meet.
She’s picked up where she left off this year, winning gold in the University of Houston Indoor Meet. On top of that, her performance for USATF has garnered three silver medals and a seventh-place finish in the USATF Championships.
“My goals are to build on last year’s successes and hit a new personal record,” Makiya said. “I also hope to grow in other events than shot put throughout the season.”
Makiya aspires to be like her role model New Zealand shot put star, Valarie Adams, because of the Olympian’s elite form and power.
For now, however, she hopes to launch the discuss and shot put through the air further than any other Warrior before her. She’s well on her way.
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