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GRIZZLIES COUNTRY: Grand Oaks Will Rely On Strong Pitching Staff In 2025
The Grizzlies make their way back to the diamond on the heels of taking bronze within District 13-6A and producing an impressive 25-win season. Unfortunately, they were tasked with taking on the eventual State Champs Tomball in the second round of the playoffs, which led to their season ending sooner than anticipated.
Regardless, coach Lou Ferrell has fostered a winning culture within the Grand Oaks program since the school was established in 2018. Excluding the COVID year, there has yet to be a single period where they haven’t reached the postseason, and that’s unlikely to change this spring. Senior LHP Mason Kinchen (Texas Tech-commit) is the essential returner for the Grizzlies.
As the ace of pitching staff, Kinchen went 8-1 a year ago, while maintaining a pristine 1.01 ERA with 55 strikeouts, resulting in first-team, all-district honors. Meanwhile, juniors Sebastian Segura (second-team) and Braeden Sanches will be key contributors in the infield as well as in the batting order.
Furthermore, Callum Wilson (Jr. OF) and Collin Martin (Jr. C/1B) provide additional veteran leadership on a relatively young unit that will vie for a district title in the near future.
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THE WOODS: Highlanders Aiming For Another Deep Playoff Run
Though the 2024 season had its ups and downs, a strong finish to district play pushed The Woodlands Highlanders back into playoff contention. However, after sweeping Aldine in the first round, they were eliminated by Bridgeland in a tight three-game series.
While that result might seem acceptable to some, the Highlanders’ storied program is aiming for more in 2025. Senior RHP/1B Erich Daigle, a first-team allstate nominee and Wharton County JC commit, returns to lead the team both on the mound and at the plate.
He’ll be supported by senior lefthanders Max McCraray (Houston) and Isaiah Salas (San Diego State), who will take on key pitching roles. Senior utility player/first baseman Gian Fernandez and district first-team selection Caleb Holifield (Sr. SS/ RHP, committed to Galveston College) are also back and should provide offensive power in the Highlanders’ lineup. Izzy Vega (Sr. IF/Alvin CC) and sophomore Cash Clayton will further contribute.
Fun Fact: Head coach Ron Eastman, in his 24th year at The Woodlands (31st overall), reached the 700-win milestone in February 2024, becoming one of just 27 coaches in Texas high school baseball history to achieve this feat.