Central Catholic buttons up second-straight TAPPS Title with close win over Prestonwood
Photo acquired from Twitter (@ButtonAthletics)
Central Catholic back on top—and staying there.
With a 2-0 shutout win over Prestonwood Christian on Tuesday at Clay Gould Ballpark in Arlington, the Buttons secured their second consecutive TAPPS-Division I State Championship, capping off another dominant season under head coach Matt Flores.
Finishing the year with a 29-9-2 record, the Buttons combined disciplined pitching, sharp defense, and timely hitting to complete their title defense.
Tuesday’s championship performance was highlighted by standout sophomore Landon Holloway, who earned TAPPS Division I State MVP honors for his efforts on the mound and at first base.
Holloway wasn’t alone in carrying the team to back-to-back titles.
Veterans like Jake Hernandez, Jason Herrera, Matt McClenan, JD Amescua, Jacob Schwope, Garrett Ticer, Brandon Hall, and Rick Ramirez all played pivotal roles throughout the season, helping to create one of the most balanced and cohesive rosters in Texas private school baseball.
Coach Flores praised the team’s focus and consistency across a long and challenging schedule—one that ultimately saw the Buttons peak at just the right time.
From the dugout to the diamond, Central Catholic’s blend of leadership, depth, and determination once again proved too much for the competition.
With a strong core returning, the Buttons appear poised to continue their reign, but for now, the celebration is well earned. The championship trophy is staying in San Antonio.
Lutheran South dominates Grapevine Faith to secure the D2 Championship
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
Lutheran South Academy entered the TAPPS Division II playoffs as the No. 1-ranked team in Texas—and left no doubt why.
Guided by head coach Aaron Schneider, the Pioneers steamrolled through the postseason, recording shutout victories in every playoff game en route to the state championship.
Their dominance culminated in an emphatic 11-0 win over Grapevine Faith in the title game, held earlier this week, securing their place at the top of Texas private school baseball.
LSA’s postseason run included lopsided shutouts against St. Joseph (16-0), Kelly Catholic (10-0), and Second Baptist (6-0), showcasing a combination of pitching depth, offensive firepower, and defensive sharpness rarely seen at any level.
The championship game’s hero was senior pitcher Grant Burns, a Wharton County JC-commit, who threw a complete-game shutout with nine strikeouts against Grapevine Faith. His performance earned him TAPPS Division II State MVP honors and sealed a postseason stretch in which he—and the entire LSA pitching staff—did not allow a single run.
Burns wasn’t alone in carrying the Pioneers to glory.
Key contributions came from a deep and talented roster that included LSU-commit Omar Serna, Texas-bound Marcus Cantu, as well as All-Tournament honorees Brody Smith (St. Thomas), Victor Coronado (Texas State), and Wyatt Powell.
Finishing the season with an outstanding 33-3-1 record, Lutheran South Academy didn’t just win the state title—they dominated every step of the way.
With a championship trophy back in Houston and a legacy firmly cemented, the Pioneers proved they weren’t just the best team in TAPPS—they were the best team in Texas.
