GAMES
RANKINGS
LSA Baseball claims the TAPPS-D2 State Championship, with an 11-0 win against Grapevine Faith
THE WRAP: 2025 TAPPS State Baseball Tournament Results; LSA, Central Catholic clinch championships
Central Catholic buttons up second-straight TAPPS Title with close win over Prestonwood
Photo acquired from Twitter (@ButtonAthletics)
Central Catholic back on top—and staying there.
With a 2-0 shutout win over Prestonwood Christian on Tuesday at Clay Gould Ballpark in Arlington, the Buttons secured their second consecutive TAPPS-Division I State Championship, capping off another dominant season under head coach Matt Flores.
Finishing the year with a 29-9-2 record, the Buttons combined disciplined pitching, sharp defense, and timely hitting to complete their title defense.
Tuesday’s championship performance was highlighted by standout sophomore Landon Holloway, who earned TAPPS Division I State MVP honors for his efforts on the mound and at first base.
Holloway wasn’t alone in carrying the team to back-to-back titles.
Veterans like Jake Hernandez, Jason Herrera, Matt McClenan, JD Amescua, Jacob Schwope, Garrett Ticer, Brandon Hall, and Rick Ramirez all played pivotal roles throughout the season, helping to create one of the most balanced and cohesive rosters in Texas private school baseball.
Coach Flores praised the team’s focus and consistency across a long and challenging schedule—one that ultimately saw the Buttons peak at just the right time.
From the dugout to the diamond, Central Catholic’s blend of leadership, depth, and determination once again proved too much for the competition.
With a strong core returning, the Buttons appear poised to continue their reign, but for now, the celebration is well earned. The championship trophy is staying in San Antonio.
Lutheran South dominates Grapevine Faith to secure the D2 Championship
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
Lutheran South Academy entered the TAPPS Division II playoffs as the No. 1-ranked team in Texas—and left no doubt why.
Guided by head coach Aaron Schneider, the Pioneers steamrolled through the postseason, recording shutout victories in every playoff game en route to the state championship.
Their dominance culminated in an emphatic 11-0 win over Grapevine Faith in the title game, held earlier this week, securing their place at the top of Texas private school baseball.
LSA’s postseason run included lopsided shutouts against St. Joseph (16-0), Kelly Catholic (10-0), and Second Baptist (6-0), showcasing a combination of pitching depth, offensive firepower, and defensive sharpness rarely seen at any level.
The championship game’s hero was senior pitcher Grant Burns, a Wharton County JC-commit, who threw a complete-game shutout with nine strikeouts against Grapevine Faith. His performance earned him TAPPS Division II State MVP honors and sealed a postseason stretch in which he—and the entire LSA pitching staff—did not allow a single run.
Burns wasn’t alone in carrying the Pioneers to glory.
Key contributions came from a deep and talented roster that included LSU-commit Omar Serna, Texas-bound Marcus Cantu, as well as All-Tournament honorees Brody Smith (St. Thomas), Victor Coronado (Texas State), and Wyatt Powell.
Finishing the season with an outstanding 33-3-1 record, Lutheran South Academy didn’t just win the state title—they dominated every step of the way.
With a championship trophy back in Houston and a legacy firmly cemented, the Pioneers proved they weren’t just the best team in TAPPS—they were the best team in Texas.
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LSA's Marcus Cantu
THE PLAYMAKERS: H-Town's Heavy-Hitters powered by UTMB Health
Here are the UTMB Baseball Athletes of the Week, as we enter the thick of District-play this Spring.
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Garritt Romero -- Dawson Baseball
Jamey Wright (VYPE)
After a relatively slow start to the season, Dawson has found its rhythm in district play, surging to a perfect 5-0 start in 22-6A. The Eagles continued their dominance on Saturday with a commanding 9-3 victory over Shadow Creek.
While Dawson’s offense has been productive—highlighted by Jack Dyment (.415 BA, 13 RBI, 1 HR), Aiden Villanueva (.273 BA, 4 RBI), and Maddox Botas (.250 BA, 4 RBI)—it’s their pitching staff that has truly set them apart.
At the forefront of that effort is ace Garritt Romero (Centenary College-commit), who has delivered in multiple ways. On the mound, he boasts a 4-0 record with a 1.93 ERA and 24 strikeouts, while also contributing at the plate with a .233 average and five RBIs.
Competing in 22-6A is no easy task, but if Dawson maintains this momentum, they could be a serious challenger to Pearland for the district title.
Nico Partida -- Pearland Baseball
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
Picking up right where they left off after last season’s UIL 6A State Final appearance, Pearland has carried that momentum into the spring, posting a strong 12-5 record through the first wave of district play (4-1).
As expected, the heartbeat of this Oilers squad has been none other than Nicholas “Nico” Partida.
The Texas A&M-commit bleeds aura wherever he’s placed—whether commanding the infield from his home at shortstop, taking the mound, or stepping up to the plate and making opposing pitchers think twice before throwing him a breaking ball.
Partida leads the Oilers with an elite .512 batting average, while also tallying 15 RBIs and three home runs so far this season.
Critics may question whether Pearland can replicate last year’s success, but as long as Partida is in the mix, the Oilers remain a legitimate threat to make another deep postseason run come June.
Marcus Cantu -- Lutheran South Academy Baseball
Jamey Wright (VYPE)
Under the leadership of coach Aaron Schneider, Lutheran South Academy has stormed through the early season with an impressive 18-1-1 record, earning them the No. 2 ranking in Texas, according to MaxPreps.
LSA was already recognized as a powerhouse before the spring, boasting elite talent like LSU commit Omar Serna (Sr. C) and Texas State-bound Victor Coronado.
However, this year’s squad seems determined to avenge last season’s Regional Final loss to Kelly Catholic and take things a step further.
While the Pioneers have no shortage of star power, the most consistent offensive presence thus far has been junior Marcus Cantu. A Texas-commit himself, Cantu has been a steady force both at the plate and on defense, providing reliability in key moments.
If LSA keeps up this level of dominance, a TAPPS-5A State Title might not just be a goal—it could be an expectation.
Hunter Heath -- Clear Springs Baseball
Thanks to a strong core of returning talent, the Clear Springs Chargers have picked up right where they left off after last season’s Regional Semifinal run.
The team has surged to an 11-5-1 record this spring and opened district play in dominant fashion, sweeping Clear Brook (Game 1: 2-1, Game 2: 9-2).
While the Chargers' bullpen has been solid, their clutch hitting has been a driving force behind their early success.
Leading the charge at the plate has been senior Hunter Heath, whose standout performance against 5A powerhouse Barbers Hill (4-4, 2B, HR, 2 RBI) helped propel Clear Springs to an 8-3 victory last week.
Primarily stationed at third base, Heath also provides versatility across the infield and is more than capable of stepping up on the mound when needed. Furthermore, his all-around reliability ultimately earned him a commitment to Galveston College.
With plenty of baseball left in the regular season, Clear Springs looks poised to secure another postseason berth.
Noah Nelson -- Santa Fe Baseball
Doug Brown (VYPE)
The Indians opened district play on a high note with a 3-1 victory over Angleton this past Friday, improving their record to 7-5 on the season.
While their overall record may not stand out, it doesn’t truly reflect the level of talent Santa Fe brings to the diamond.
The Indians have already faced elite competition, including defending 6A state champion Tomball, SPC-4A runner-up Episcopal, Katy Tompkins, and TAPPS-III state runner-up Bay Area Christian.
Those tough matchups should have them well-prepared to compete for the District 20-5A title.
Among the various weapons in coach Ronnie Wulf’s threatening lineup, the most consistent is Noah Nelson.
The junior OF/RHP boasts a .500 batting average, leading the team with 19 hits while also tallying 12 RBIs, nine doubles, one triple, and a home run—all in just 40 plate appearances.
Nelson is complemented by key contributors like Ronnie Rouse (.343 BA, 13 RBI, 6 2B, 1 HR), Jackson Higgins (.342 BA, 9 RBI, 5 2B, 1 3B, 1 HR), and Jayce Richardson (.345 BA, 7 RBI, 4 2B, 2 HR), rounding out a well-balanced lineup.
Santa Fe has its sights set on surpassing last year’s run to the Regional Semifinals, but first, they’ll have to navigate a competitive district slate featuring Iowa Colony, Friendswood, and La Porte.