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The stars of 2023-24 Klein Oak Baseball
BASES LOADED: No. 8 Klein Oak aims to repeat in district and more
No. 8 -- Klein Oak Panthers
2023: 24-13-1 (District 15-6A Champions/Regional Quarterfinalist)
Klein Oak shocked the audiences a year ago, claiming their first district championship in over a decade. They don’t plan on losing their crown just yet, despite facing off against the exceptional talent that Tomball and Klein Collins provide annually.
The Bo Hernandez-led Panthers certainly have the tools to retain their momentum.
This year’s roster will once again include the nationally-recognized skill of potential MLB-draftee Matt Scott II (Texas-commit), who is coming off a first-team all-district performance.
Klein Oak is senior-heavy with Austin Hardy (SS), Makoy Stone, Gage Kooyers and Tanner Cooper providing leadership.
The big question will be which pitcher must emerges.
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LOCKED IN: Oak's Ferranti In A League Of Her Own
THE TERM, “BEING WISE BEYOND ONE’S YEARS” IS THROWN AROUND FAIRLY OFTEN TO DESCRIBE SPECIAL STUDENT-ATHLETES.
Klein Oak’s Rylee Ferranti is one of those special athletes, who truly manifests that notion into reality.
While she has dabbled in numerous sports over the years, including football, softball, baseball, basketball and swimming, Ferranti would eventually find herself on the wrestling mat.
“I was actually going to try football my freshman year because I’ve always been a bigger girl since I was little,” she said. “But, then I found wrestling and my coach told me I was a perfect fit because of my strength and size. It was a sport that made me feel welcome for my size, and I’m used to being physical having grown up in a house full of boys.”
It was a decision that undoubtedly paid off, given that the Klein Oak junior would go 46-3 and win State in the 185-pound weight class as a sophomore.
She would go undefeated and win another state title this winter.
“At first, I didn’t know that I had won because I thought we were in the second period when it was actually the third,” Ferranti laughed. “After they made the announcement, I was just thinking, ‘Wow, I did it’. I took a big breath of relief because I had put so much effort into it. Having all of that pay off was surreal.”
Ferranti isn’t done, yet.
“I feel like I can always improve,” she said. “If you don’t have that mindset, then you’ll never get better. Thinking you’ve hit your peak just slows you down. My goal this year was plain and simple – I wanted to go undefeated.”
Mission accomplished.
Her goals don’t end at the high school level. Ferranti naturally has her sights set on even greater ambitions.
“Long-term, I intend to take this to the collegiate level and I’m eventually going all the way up to the Olympics,” said Ferranti. “I don’t care how good of shape I need to get in or the mental pressure that comes with it. If I put my mind to it, I will get there.”
Considering all she has already accomplished, that statement feels more like a promise than a prediction. But, just how is it that Ferranti maintains this level of laser-focus?
“I’ve always had things going on in my life. It can all pile up on you, if you let it,” she said. “If I always have something to keep striving for, that just keeps me going and focused on the good things.
“If I want to be the best of the best, nothing is stopping me, except for myself,” she said.
With maturity beyond her years, coupled with her unwavering determination, it won’t come as a shock to see Ferranti live out her dreams in the near future. The first step is an undefeated State Championship in her junior season.