GAMES
RANKINGS
STATE SEMIFINALS PREVIEW: Celina prepared to topple Sinton
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.
To continue reading this State Semifinal preview, become a VYPE Insider today!
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.
Rockwall-Heath athletes hoisting the State Championship trophy after defeating Keller in the UIL Class 6A State Title game (2021).
DFW to State: Eight teams to represent Dallas-Fort Worth in the 2022 UIL State Tournament
As the baseball season nears a close, twenty-four teams from around the state are gearing up to step foot into the biggest Texas high school baseball stage. Of the twenty-four teams, eight are representing the Dallas-Fort Worth area. VYPE DFW takes a look at the DFW teams that are still vying for a state title this season.
To continue reading this article, become a VYPE Insider today!
3A
Gunter Tigers (36-1)
There's no doubt that Gunter is more than prepared for their ninth state tournament appearance. After finishing last season in the state tournament, Gunter is ready to make an even bigger splash this season. The Tigers have shown the strength and resiliency that it takes to make it this far in Texas High School baseball and they aren't about to stop before the biggest game of their lives. So far this season, the Tigers have outscored the opposition by a combined 255 runs. The team is currently on a hot 29-game winning streak and will stop at nothing to succeed. In playoffs, the Tigers have taken down Edgewood, Whitesboro, Maypearl, Harmony, and Pottsboro. Gunter is set to take on Corpus Christi London (24-13) at 9 a.m. on Friday, June 10th at Dell Diamond in Round Rock, Texas in the UIL Class 3A State Semifinals.
Brock Eagles (35-3)
Dropping only three games all season, Brock has been on a mission from day one. After losing in the state tournament last season, Brock is back and ready for revenge. The team is making their seventh state tournament appearance (third in four seasons) and has the talent to go all the way. Brock has outscored their opponents by 285 runs this season. Their offense plays smart, but their defense plays strategic. With the heart of champions, Brock is ready to finish their season stronger than ever. In playoffs, the Eagles have ended the seasons of Breckenridge, Coahoma, Holliday, and Idalou. Brock is set to take on Diboll (38-4) at 12 p.m. on Friday, June 10th at Dell Diamond in Round Rock, Texas in the UIL Class 3A State Semifinals.
4A
After a season of working hard, the Argyle Eagles are back in the state tournament. This will be the team's fifth state tournament appearance- third in four seasons. This season, the Eagles have outscored their opponents by a combined 187 runs. In playoffs, the Eagles have defeated Fort Worth Western Hills, Graham, Springtown, Canyon, and most recently Stephenville en route to the UIL State Tournament. Argyle is set to take on China Spring (32-8) at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, June 8th at UFCU Disch in Austin, Texas in the UIL Class 4A State Semifinals.
Celina is battle tested and ready to show their strengths at their second state tournament appearance. The last time the team made it this far was two decades ago in 2002. They are back and ready to prove that they have what it takes to compete with the best-of-the-best in the state. So far this season, the Bobcats have played smart offense- outscoring their opponents by a combined 213 runs. In playoffs, Celina has ended the seasons of Irving Ranchview, Life Waxahachie, Van Alstyne, Liberty Eylau, and most recently Spring Hill. The Bobcats are set to take on Sinton (34-1) at 4 p.m. on Wednesday, June 8th at UFCU Disch in Austin, Texas in the UIL Class 4A State Semifinals.
5A
Mansfield Legacy Broncos (32-9)
Mansfield Legacy is headed into their first-ever state tournament appearance after getting the job done all season. The team posted a notable 12-run final inning in an intense matchup against state tournament regular Aledo last week to advance. The team has used critical moments to define their season and has outscored their opponents by a combined 158 runs so far and doesn't look to be slowing down either offensively or defensively. In playoffs, the team has taken down Fort Worth Trimble Tech, Justin Northwest, Birdville, Lubbock Cooper, and Aledo. The Broncos are set to take on Friendswood (29-7-1) at 4 p.m. on Thursday, June 9th at Dell Diamond in Round Rock, Texas in the UIL Class 5A State Semifinals.
Frisco Wakeland Wolverines (25-13)
Wakeland is geared up for their third state tournament appearance after battling through a tough season of ups and downs. The Wolverines have been able to make big plays when it matters in order to continue advancing forward and showing that they are meant for high-caliber baseball. So far this season, the team has outscored their opponents by a combined 65 runs. With smart defense, Wakeland continues to hold strong against the opposition. In playoffs, the Wolverines have ended the seasons of Dension, Dallas W.T. White, Frisco Independence, Lufkin, and Forney. Wakeland is set to take on Georgetown (33-7) at 7 p.m. on Thursday, June 9th at Dell Diamond in Round Rock, Texas in the UIL Class 5A State Semifinals.
6A
Southlake Carroll Dragons (32-8)
After missing the state tournament last season, the Dragons are ready to play hard and finish their season strong. Southlake Carroll is making their 10th state tournament appearance (third in four seasons) after an incredible season. On a 14-game win streak, the Dragons have outscored their opponents by a combined 168 runs this season. The team is known for playing fast and setting the tone- fans can expect that through the tournament. In playoffs, the Dragons have defeated Hurst L.D. Bell, El Paso The Americas, Frenship, Coppell, and last season state runner-up Keller. Southlake Carroll is set to take on Fort Bend Ridge Point (35-5) at 4 p.m. on Friday, June 10th at Dell Diamond in Round Rock, Texas in the UIL Class 6A State Semifinals.
The reigning UIL Class 6A State Champions are at it again. The Hawks have continued to showcase their talent on the field, at the plate, and during practice to secure their third state tournament appearance (second in-a-row) as they defend their title and go for a repeat. The team had an incredible season filled with highs as they powered through district play and continued taking down the opposition in playoffs. En route to the state tournament, the Hawks have outscored their opponents by a combined 196 runs. With a laser-sharp focus on another title, the Hawks can be expected to turn up the heat and continue playing to their usual strength. In playoffs, the Hawks have ended the seasons of Garland, Mansfield Lake Ridge, Naaman Forest, Oak Ridge, and cross-town, school district rival Rockwall. Rockwall-Heath is set to take on San Antonio Reagan (32-6-2) at 7 p.m. on Friday, June 10th at Dell Diamond in Round Rock, Texas in the UIL Class 6A State Semifinals.