GAMES
RANKINGS
Jake Escovedo of TWHS Baseball
ONE MORE ROUND: H-Town’s best of Class 6A contend for a trip to State
After last week’s Regional Semifinals offered fans a series of comebacks and statement wins, four of the eight remaining teams in the Class 6A race are from the Houston area.
The two prime-time matchups slotted this week--Cy Woods v. The Woodlands in Region II, and Pearland v. Katy in Region III--are sure to keep audiences out of their seats.
Here is a look at the H-Town powerhouses aiming to punch their ticket to Austin for the State Tournament.
H-Town 6A Standouts: Brett Smajstrla (Sr. OF)--Pearland
Jamie Wright (VYPE)
Region II Finals: Cypress Woods Wildcats v. The Woodlands Highlanders
2022-23 Cy Woods Baseball
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
2022-23 Regular Season: 28-3/District 16-6A Champions
Head Coach: Phil Schwarz
2022-23 Playoffs:
- Bi-District: Series Sweep (Game 1: W 11-1, Game 2: W 7-2) v. Tomball Memorial
- Area Round: Series Sweep (Game 1: W 7-5, Game 2: W 4-2) v. Oak Ridge
- Regional Quarters: Series Sweep (Game 1: W 10-0, Game 2: W 15-0) v. Klein Oak
- Regional Semis: 2-1 Series Win (Game 1: L 1-9, Game 2: W 7-0, Game 3: W 8-4)
2022-23 Regular Season: 25-6-1/District 13-6A Champions
Head Coach: Ron Eastman
2022-23 Playoffs:
- Bi-District: Series Sweep (Game 1: W 1-0, Game 2: W 6-0) v. MacArthur
- Area Round: Series Sweep (Game 1: W 5-0, Game 2: W 7-0) v. Klein Collins
- Regional Quarters: 2-1 Series Win (Game 1: W 2-0, Game 2: L 3-4, Game 3: W 9-1) v. Tomball
- Regional Semis: 2-1 Series Win (Game 1: L 7-8, Game 2: W 8-0, W 3-0)
With a trip to the State Tournament on the line, you'd better believe that fans will be flocking to witness the spectacle of these two contenders facing off.
2022-23 TWHS Baseball
Justin Hartojo (VYPE)
Region III Finals: Pearland Oilers v. Katy Tigers
Some of the stars of 2022-23 Pearland Baseball
Jamie Wright (VYPE)
2022-23 Regular Season: 27-5-1/District 23-6A Champions
Head Coach: David Rogers
2022-23 Playoffs:
- Bi-District: Series Sweep (Game 1: W 11-3, Game 2: W 11-1) v. Brazoswood
- Area Round: 2-1 Series Win (Game 1: W 8-0, Game 2: L 6-7, Game 3: W 4-3) v. Atascocita
- Regional Quarters: Series Sweep (Game 1: W 4-1, Game 2: W 6-2) v. Clear Falls
- Regional Semis: Series Sweep (Game 1: W 3-0, Game 2: W 1-0) v. Cinco Ranch
2022-23 Regular Season: 22-6-3/Finished 3rd in District 19-6A
Head Coach: Wes Hearne
2022-23 Playoffs:
- Bi-District: Series Sweep (Game 1: W 13-0, Game 2: W 16-6) v. Fort Bend Austin
- Area Round: Series Sweep (Game 1: W 9-0, Game 2: W 7-3) v. Cy-Fair
- Regional Quarters: Series Sweep (Game 1: W 4-3, Game 2: W 5-3) v. Tompkins
- Regional Semis: Series Sweep (Game 1: W 4-0, Game 2: W 4-3) v. Clear Springs
Both Pearland and Katy are coming off consecutive hard-fought wins to advance to Round No. 5.
The Oilers bullpen and defense played at the top of their game, as Nico Partida (So. RHP) and junior right-hander Jake Mader-Cooper combined for a no-hitter in their 3-0 victory in the opener.
Game No. 2 saw junior LHP Jaden Barfield come in to save the day, as he played a key role in getting Pearland out of not one, but two bases-loaded jams with some help by Pearland's fielding.
Furthermore, SHSU-signee Brett Smajstrla (Sr. OF) and Texas A&M-signee Caden Ferraro (Sr. 1B/P) anchored the Oilers lineup on the batting side.
Katy, on the other hand, shared the wealth at the plate.
Andrew Hilton (Sr. OF/P), Reese Ruderman (Sr. C/IF), Cole Kaase (Sr. IF/P), Josh Dunayczan (Sr. IF/P), and senior IF Graham Laxton each contributed an RBI through their two-game sweep over Clear Springs--with Laxton, in particular, sealing the series with a walk-off RBI-double in game two.
The Tigers bullpen isn't to be underestimated either. Seniors Caleb Koger and Lucas Moore have been proven to be effective starters, while the likes of Kaase or sophomore pitcher Cade Nelson can seal a victory at the relief spot.
Neither team in this matchup has yet to lose a game throughout the playoffs, which will inevitably change in the coming series at Constellation Field in Sugar Land.
The Region III crown is up for grabs. Stay tuned to see who takes it.
2022-23 Katy Tigers Baseball
Justin Hartojo (VYPE)
Tristan Russell of Cy Woods Baseball
WITHIN REACH: Class 6A’s contenders in the Regional Semis
Katy sweeping their district rival Tompkins, Cinco Ranch trouncing Ridge Point in Game No. 3, Clear Springs defeating Kingwood--these are the moments a baseball fan lives for.
Now that we’re into the fourth round of the Class 6A playoff race, these high school ball clubs are closing in on the chance to play for this year’s State Title.
Here’s the lineup for this week in H-Town baseball.
H-Town 6A Standouts: Graham Laxton (Sr. IF)--Katy
Justin Hartojo (VYPE)
Cinco Ranch Cougars v. Pearland Oilers
CInco Ranch makes school history by advancing to the Regional Semis after defeating Ridge Point
Photo acquired via Twitter: @KatyISDAthletic
Cinco Ranch Cougars
2022-23 Regular Season: 27-4/Finished 2nd in District 19-6A
Head Coach: Brett Wallace
2022-23 Playoffs:
- Bi-District: Series Sweep (Game 1: W 10-0, Game 2: W 13-4) v. Hightower
- Area Round: Series Sweep (Game 1: W 4-1, Game 2: W 12-1) v. Memorial
- Regional Quarters: 2-1 Series Win (Game 1: W 8-1, Game 2: L 2-6, Game 3: W 7-0) v. Ridge Point
2022-23 Regular Season: 27-5-1/District 23-6A Champions
Head Coach: David Rogers
2022-23 Playoffs:
- Bi-District: Series Sweep (Game 1: W 11-3, Game 2: W 11-1) v. Brazoswood
- Area Round: 2-1 Series Win (Game 1: W 8-0, Game 2: L 6-7, Game 3: W 4-3) v. Atascocita
- Regional Quarters: Series Sweep (Game 1: W 4-1, Game 2: W 6-2) v. Clear Falls
Some of the stars of 2022-23 Pearland Baseball
Jamie Wright (VYPE)
Katy Tigers v. Clear Springs Chargers
2022-23 Katy Tigers Baseball
Justin Hartojo (VYPE)
2022-23 Regular Season: 22-6-3/Finished 3rd in District 19-6A
Head Coach: Wes Hearne
2022-23 Playoffs:
- Bi-District: Series Sweep (Game 1: W 13-0, Game 2: W 16-6) v. Fort Bend Austin
- Area Round: Series Sweep (Game 1: W 9-0, Game 2: W 7-3) v. Cy-Fair
- Regional Quarters: Series Sweep (Game 1: W 4-3, Game 2: W 5-3) v. Tompkins
Clear Springs Chargers
2022-23 Regular Season: 20-9-1/Finished 3rd in District 24-6A
Head Coach: Chris Floyd
2022-23 Playoffs:
- Bi-District: Series Sweep (Game 1: W 4-3, Game 2: W 7-1) v. Alvin
- Area Round: Series Sweep (Game 1: W 5-4, Game 2: W 8-0) v. Dobie
- Regional Quarters: 2-1 Series Win (Game 1: L 0-4, Game 2: W 7-2, Game 3: W 6-2) v. Kingwood
Cy Woods Wildcats v. Rockwall-Heath Hawks
2022-23 Cy Woods Baseball
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
2022-23 Regular Season: 28-3/District 16-6A Champions
Head Coach: Phil Schwarz
2022-23 Playoffs:
- Bi-District: Series Sweep (Game 1: W 11-1, Game 2: W 7-2) v. Tomball Memorial
- Area Round: Series Sweep (Game 1: W 7-5, Game 2: W 4-2) v. Oak Ridge
- Regional Quarters: Series Sweep (Game 1: W 10-0, Game 2: W 15-0) v. Klein Oak
Rockwall-Heath Hawks
2022-23 Regular Season: 27-7-1/Finished 2nd in District 10-6A
Head Coach: Greg Harvey
2022-23 Playoffs:
- Bi-District: 2-1 Series Win (Game 1: L 0-1, Game 2: W 5-3, Game 3: W 4-3) v. Wylie
- Area Round: Series Sweep (Game 1: W 12-2, Game 2: W 4-2) v. Mansfield Legacy
- Regional Quarters: Series Sweep (Game 1: W 3-2, Game 2: W 2-0) v. Midway
Cy Woods' hot-streak persists into Round No. 4 after outscoring Klein Oak 25-0 in another series sweep.
The series clincher saw several Wildcats share the spotlight, as the majority of the lineup made significant contributions to the 15-run barrage.
Just to name a few, senior 3B Ethan Farris went 2-for-3, with two runs scored and four batted in. Brady Sullivan (Sr. OF) had McClane Helton (Jr. 1B) each two RBIs, while Tristan Russell (Sr. SS) had three. On the mound, senior LHP Chase Morgan pitched a shutout with seven Ks through four innings before being retired.
Coach Phil Schwarz's squad will be traveling to Baylor Ballpark this week more emboldened than ever. The next obstacle in their path is Rockwall-Heath, so look for Cy Woods to make a statement.
The Woodlands Highlanders v. Rockwall Yellowjackets
2022-23 Regular Season: 25-6-1/District 13-6A Champions
Head Coach: Ron Eastman
2022-23 Playoffs:
- Bi-District: Series Sweep (Game 1: W 1-0, Game 2: W 6-0) v. MacArthur
- Area Round: Series Sweep (Game 1: W 5-0, Game 2: W 7-0) v. Klein Collins
- Regional Quarters: 2-1 Series Win (Game 1: W 2-0, Game 2: L 3-4, Game 3: W 9-1) v. Tomball
Rockwall Yellowjackets
2022-23 Regular Season: 29-6/District 10-6A Champions
Head Coach: Barry Rose
2022-23 Playoffs:
- Bi-District: Series Sweep (Game 1: W 8-2, Game 2: W 13-3) v. Naaman Forest
- Area Round: 2-1 Series Win (Game 1: L 1-9, Game 2: W 8-5, Game 3: W 6-0) v. Mansfield
- Regional Quarters: Series Sweep (Game 1: W 11-6, Game 2: W 10-0) v. Lake Ridge
The Highlanders made it clear that they're here for the long haul after their decisive victory over Tomball.
After a hard-fought game one victory, followed by an unfortunate error late in the second game tying up the series, The Woodlands made a statement with their 9-1 win to clinch the series.
Senior right-hander Ethan Coronel was stellar in the opener, shutting out a tough Cougars lineup, while sitting down six batters. Despite the bats being quiet early on, seniors Tyler Howard (4-8, 2 RBI, 4 R) and Logan Ellefson (4-8, 2 RBI, R) spearheaded the TWHS offense to the Regional Semis.
Their matchup this week invokes a little deja vu, as coach Ron Eastman's crew prepares to take on Rockwall--the team that defeated them almost a year ago to the day (2-1 series).
With the tension turned up to 11, this will be a series you won't want to miss.