GAMES
RANKINGS
Bridgeland's Miles Syptak
HEATING UP: Thrilling matchups taking place this week in Baseball
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Katy Tigers vs. Cy-Fair Bobcats
Justin Hartojo (VYPE)
Katy (24-10) enters the third round of the postseason on the heels of sweeping Fort Bend Travis (Game 1: 4-1, Game 2: 1-0) and, most recently, Jersey Village (Game 1: 5-3, Game 2: 3-2).
After placing second in District 19-6A, the Tigers have never looked back. They have the ambition of surpassing last year's mark, when they reached the Region III Final, and they certainly have the momentum with them.
Coach Wes Hearne has a knack for optimizing the talent on his roster, and 2024 has been no exception.
He'll turn to Sutton Hull (Texas A&M-signee), A.J. Atkinson (SHSU), Cade Nelson (TCU), Connor Udland (Houston), and Aiden Barrientes (TCU) when they face a resilient Cy-Fair team this week.
The Bobcats (26-8-2) succeeded in their goal of claiming their fourth-straight district title, prior to sweeping Heights (Game 1: 5-0, Game 2: 12-1), and knocking Tompkins out of the playoffs in the series closer (11-4) a week ago.
It will be up to the BFND returning stars -- namely Austin Godwin, Thomas Carroll, Bo Caraway, Isaac Robles, and Donovan Abel, among others -- to keep their hot-streak rolling.
GAME 1: Thursday (6:00 pm) @ Langham Creek HS
GAME 2: Saturday (2:00 pm) @ Langham Creek HS
GAME 3 (If needed): Saturday (30 min. after Game 2) @ Langham Creek HS
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
Deer Park Deer vs. Clear Springs Chargers
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
The Deer have been a traditional super-power over the past decade, dating back to when they won the Class 6A title in 2017, and they can already chalk up this Spring as a success, with their advancement to the Regional Quarters.
However, Deer Park (22-12-1) aren't inclined to stop there.
After outlasting North Shore and Clear Falls in each three-game series, coach Chris Rupp and company have proven their capability to perform well under pressure.
Expect Dylan Marbury, Tristan Patterson, Bennett Springer, Christian Rodgers, and Zaiden Kiefer to be among the numerous players to play key roles in Round No. 3.
On the Clear Springs side, the Chargers (20-15) are peaking at the perfect time, as they are coming off crucial victories over Strake Jesuit (Game 1: 7-5 L, Game 2: 8-0 W, Game 3: 6-3 W), and Kingwood (Game 1: 2-0, Game 2: 3-2) to reach this point.
Tyler Ryden, Connor Mondey, Andrew Fonte, Drew Floyd, and Ryan Hernandez are ones to watch in this pivotal Region III matchup.
GAME 1: Thursday (6:00 pm) @ Crosby HS
GAME 2: Friday (6:00 pm) @ Crosby HS
GAME 3 (If needed): Saturday (1:00 pm) @ Crosby HS
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
Bridgeland Bears vs. Klein Oak Panthers
Justin Hartojo (VYPE)
What a difference a year makes.
After being eliminated in the opening round of last year's playoffs, Bridgeland (28-10) proceeded to sweep Klein Cain (Game 1: 3-1, Game 2: 3-2) and surge past The Woodlands (Game 1: 1-0 W, Game 2: 11-1 L, Game 3: 7-6) to enter the Regional Quarters for the first time since 2021.
Coach Paul Orlando directs this talented young squad, which features the talents of Miles Syptak, Carson Phillips, Austin Glasscock, Benjamin Barrera, and Anthony Key, just to name a few.
Pitching has been a strong suit for the Bears, and that's unlikely to change when they face Klein Oak.
Under the direction of coach Bo Hernandez, the Panthers (23-13-1) finished third in District 15-6A prior to rolling past Cy Woods and Oak Ridge through the first two rounds of the postseason.
The bats have been on fire for Oak, particularly that of Makoy Stone, Gage Kooyers, and Matt Scott, while Jacob George continues to be efficient from the pitcher's mound.
This series will likely come down to who can make the clutch moments in the later innings, which both sides have been proficient in doing this Spring.
GAME 1: Thursday (7:00 pm) @ Bridgeland HS
GAME 2: Friday (7:00 pm) @ Klein Oak HS
GAME 3 (If needed): Saturday (1:00 pm) @ Grand Oaks HS
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
Concordia Lutheran Crusaders vs. Prestonwood Christian Lions
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
It shouldn't come as a shock that Concordia Lutheran (23-14-1) is back in the TAPPS-I state tournament, given the fact that they've been within the final-four every year, dating back to 2015 (excluding COVID year).
The Crusaders are model of consistency, which is a testament to the talent they bring in with each class.
Coach Royce Kennedy has a plethora of weapons within his arsenal, from TCU-signee Nolan Traeger, to Eoghan Collins (St. Edwards), Ronin McCraw (Texas A&M), Cole Lanclos (Baylor), and Connor Jones.
Now, CLHS will look to reclaim their 2015 state title-status, beginning with their matchup against a tough Prestonwood Christian (27-1-1) opponent on Tuesday (7:00 pm).
If all goes well, the Crusaders will contend for a championship Wednesday night.
CLICK HERE TO KEEP UP WITH UIL BASEBALL PLAYOFF BRACKETS
McClane Helton of Cy Woods Baseball
THE FIRST PITCH: Top H-Town clashes in opening round of UIL Baseball Playoffs
Klein Cain Hurricanes vs. Bridgeland Bears
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
Klein Cain (22-7; 11-3 in district) enters the postseason, following a second-place finish in District 15-6A, behind only Tomball (12-0).
The No. 5 team in our pre-playoff rankings has cemented itself as one of the top competitors in H-Town and looks to maintain that distinction when they face off against Bridgeland in the opening round.
Coach Neil Wisener has a multitude of weapons to utilize on the diamond, whether it be Blaine Bullard (.355 BA, 29 RBI, 29 R, 6 HR), Cooper McEnroe (.500 BA, 17 RBI, 18 R, 3 HR), Coleman McBride (.415 BA, 10 RBI, 12 R), or Carlo Almendarez (.393 BA, 27 RBI, 27 R, 3 HR).
The Hurricanes will be tasked with facing a tough opponent to begin the playoffs, however.
Bridgeland (24-9; 10-4 in district) is as formidable as they come, having taken bronze in a relentless District 16-6A.
The Bears, coached by Paul Orlando, are headlined by Benjamin Barrera, Miles Syptak, Austin Glasscock, Jake Webb, and Josh Livingston, among others.
On paper, these two clubs are evenly matched. However, whoever emerges victorious from this series will surely be deemed a potential contender for Region II.
GAME 1: Wednesday (7:00 pm) @ Klein Cain HS
GAME 2: Thursday (7:00 pm) @ Bridgeland HS
GAME 3 (If needed): Friday (4:30 pm) @ Klein Cain HS
Justin Hartojo (VYPE)
Dobie Longhorns vs. Summer Creek Bulldogs
Doug Brown (VYPE)
The 2024 District 22-6A runner-ups -- Dobie (18-6-3) -- are locked in and primed to surpass last year's mark of reaching the UIL Area Round.
Nothing comes easy in the playoffs, but it appears that coach Miguel Torres and co. are prepared for that, given the level of competition they face on annual basis.
Junior pitcher Aiden Sanchez has played a starring role in the Longhorns' success thus far, as he continues to be efficient from the mound.
San Jacinto-signee Arnulfo Orozco, Antonio Hernandez, Cruz Torres, and Juelz Martinez round out a scary-good Dobie lineup, which will undoubtedly come to play in Round No. 1.
However, Summer Creek has some firepower of their own, with University of Texas-bound Donovan Jordan & William Hill in the fold.
The Bulldogs finished third in District 21-6A, behind Kingwood and Atascocita, but still pose a major threat to any opponent they're likely to face in the postseason.
After bowing out against Clear Falls in the Area Round of the 2023 playoffs, coach DJ Wilson will look to his play-makers -- including the aforementioned Jordan and Hill, as well as Brandin Holland, Kade Odom, and Caleb Mize -- to surpass last year's mark.
GAME 1: Thursday (7:00 pm) @ Summer Creek HS
GAME 2: Friday (4:00 pm) @ Maguire Field
GAME 3 (If needed): Saturday (12:00 pm) @ C.E. King HS
Doug Brown (VYPE)
Cypress Woods Wildcats vs. Klein Oak Panthers
Justin Hartojo (VYPE)
After several of their major pieces graduated once they reached State in 2023, there were few who gave Cy Woods a second thought at repeating that effort this Spring.
Well, that has evidently motivated the Wildcats baseball program, to the tune of going 22-8-1 thus far and taking silver within District 16-6A.
Senior McClane Helton (McLennan-signee) is the spark that ignites coach Phil Schwarz's talented roster, with the likes of Jack Kempner, Wyatt Wimberly, Joshua Vasquesz, and J.T. Darden, and Cameron Neumann efficiently complementing him.
Cypress Woods may have felt as if they had something to prove throughout the regular season. But, now they look to take that a step further in the postseason when they clash with Klein Oak.
The Panthers (20-11-1) finished third in District 15-6A, and might have a chip on their shoulder as well.
Coach Bo Hernandez will look to his seniors, including Texas-signee Matt Scott, Gage Kooyers, Austin Hardy, EJ Garcia, Makoy Stone, Tanner Cooper, and Reed Osborne to provide the necessary experience, as Klein Oak embarks on their playoff journey this Thursday.
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)