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PLAY BALL: VYPE's Private School Baseball Rankings No. 4 Lutheran South Pioneers
No. 4-Lutheran South Academy Pioneers
2022: 27-10 (2nd in TAPPS-D2 District/ State Semifinalists)
HC: Aaron Schneider
Given that the LSA Pioneers were the TAPPS-D2 Champions for three consecutive years (2019-21), it's astounding that falling in the State Semis to division rival Second Baptist School, would be considered an upset. However, an appearance in the Final Four should never be dismissed, and the Pioneers will be determined to reclaim their D2 Title. Coach Aaron Schneider is back for his 11th year with several key returning pieces -- first-team, all-district senior OF/LHP Blaine Birkelbach (Alvin CC), Rowdy Sowers(Sr.), and Texas-commits Victor Coronado (Soph.) and Marcus Cantu (Fr.). Count on it. Lutheran South will give the defending champs a run for their money this Spring.
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BREAKING: Lutheran South Academy wins 4th TAPPS State Baseball Championship
HOUSTON - The Pioneers have something special going on the south side of town.
On Thursday, Lutheran South Academy defeated Southwest Christian School Fort Worth in dominating fashion with a 16-0 victory to claim the TAPPS Division II State Championship.
For the Pioneers this is the fourth in program history and the fourth in the last six seasons. LSA has now won titles in 2015, 2018, 2019 and 2021. If COVID-19 hadn't of knocked out the 2020 season there is a chance this could be a three-peat for the Pioneers.
LSA jumped out early with an RBI single and double from Tyler Ehlinger and Easton Brenner, respectively, making it 2-0 after the second inning. After Tyler Helpenstill drove in a run with a single in the third, the Pioneers blew the doors open in the fourth.
The Pioneers pushed across three runs on a double play groundout, wild pitch and RBI single from Christian Melillo, making it 6-0.
In the fifth, Brenner added two more RBIs to his day with a double and finished the game 4 of 4 with three RBIs. Melillo had another RBI single, which made it 9-0. In the seventh, LSA tacked on one seven runs to push the lead out to 16-0, which would be the final score.
Nelson Klein, who set down the first nine batters he faced, was lights out on the mound pitching a complete game shutout in the TAPPS Division II State Championship game.