GETTING CLOSER: Preparing for 5A Baseball Regional Semis

Barbers Hill Eagles v. Magnolia West Mustangs

Barbers Hill Eagles

2022-23 Regular Season: 21-10-1/District 17-5A Champions

Head Coach: David Denny

2022-23 Playoffs:

• Bi-District: Series Sweep (Game 1: W 3-1, Game 2: W 6-5) v. Galveston Ball
• Area Round: Series Sweep (Game 1: W 4-2, Game 2: W 11-10) v. Foster
• Regional Quarters: Series Sweep (Game 1: W 8-2, Game 2: W 12-3) v. Friendswood

Magnolia West Mustangs

2022-23 Regular Season: 24-4/District 21-5A Champions

Head Coach: Travis Earles

2022-23 Playoffs:

• Bi-District: Series Sweep (Game 1: W 10-0, Game 2: W 10-0) v. Killeen
• Area Round: Series Sweep (Game 1: W 6-3, Game 2: W 8-0) v. Pflugerville
• Regional Quarters: Series Sweep (Game 1: W 10-0, Game 2: W 11-0) v. Lake Belton

SHSU-signee Jace Martinez (Sr. SS) and Odessa College-signee Gage Kimble (Sr. C) were the driving forces behind the Eagles' offensive push, while senior outfielders Carson Garrett (Tarleton State-signee) and McKade Massengale made significant contributions as well.

Barbers Hill's next obstacle is a red-hot Magnolia West group.

Similar to the Eagles, the Mustangs are on a postseason tear, having yet to drop a single game through the first three rounds. Most recently, Mag West left Lake Belton stunned, outscoring the Austin team 21-0.

The deadly pitching duo of seniors James Ellwanger and Caylon Dygert was simply too much for the Broncos to handle. Meanwhile Jackson Blank (Sr. OF/P) continues to shine in the playoffs, evidenced by his game two performance -- 4-for-4, 2B, HR--which punched the team's ticket to Round 4.

Of all the Class 5A games set to take place this week, this is the one you won't want to miss.

Lake Creek Lions v. La Porte Bulldogs

Lake Creek Lions

2022-23 Regular Season: 20-9/Finished 2nd in District 21-5A

Head Coach: Jeremy Schramm

2022-23 Playoffs:

• Bi-District: 11-1 Win v. Shoemaker
• Area Round: Series Sweep (Game 1: W 5-1, Game 2: W 6-0) v. Austin McCallum
• Regional Quarters: Series Sweep (Game 1: W 11-2, Game 2: W 2-0) v. Georgetown

La Porte Bulldogs

2022-23 Regular Season: 22-8-1/Finished 2nd in District 18-5A

Head Coach: Ricky Torres

2022-23 Playoffs:

• Bi-District: Series Sweep (Game 1: W 4-2, Game 2: W 5-0) v. Goose Creek Memorial
• Area Round: Series Sweep (Game 1: W 7-0, Game 2: W 9-1) v. Waltrip
• Regional Quarters: 2-0 Win v. Fulshear

Lake Creek athletics is enjoying a phenomenal final stretch of the Spring season.

With their softball team already in the Regional Finals, and the baseball program having the opportunity to do the same this week, it is a great time to be a Lions' fan.

The two-punch knockout of senior pitchers -- Weston Moss (RHP) and Jackson Wilkerson (LHP) -- stifled Georgetown's batters to the tune of 9 Ks for Moss in Game 1. Wilkerson followed this up with 11 strikeouts of his own, while combining for a shutout with relief pitcher Jack Haag (Sr. RHP) in the series clincher.

Juniors Sam Lee (OF) and Leighton Scott (IF) led the Lions' lineup in the opener, going 3-for-4 and 2-for-4 on the night, respectively. Game two wasn't nearly as flashy, but Blake Brown (Sr. IF) and Parker Smith (Jr. C/P) each drove in a run to secure Lake Creek's sweep of Georgetown.

Likewise, La Porte put together a hard-fought win against Fulshear to earn a spot in the Regional Semis.

Junior OF Landon Kay had yet another successful outing, contributing an early RBI that gave the Bulldogs the push they needed to overcome Fulshear's relentless bullpen.

The ball clubs will meet at Humble High School, beginning this Thursday with hopes of keeping their playoff hopes alive.