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Rockwall-Heath baseball players celebrate after a run crosses the plate in the 2021 UIL Class 6A State Title game against Keller (2021).
STATE SEMIFINALS PREVIEW: Defending State Champs, Rockwall-Heath, is back in the state tournament
It's one thing to be a great baseball team- it's another to make multiple state appearances. Last season, Rockwall-Heath made great strides against Keller in order to become the UIL Class 6A State Champion team. This season, the Hawks have put in the work to make their return to the biggest stage in Texas High School baseball. VYPE DFW takes a look at the team's season and lays out just what fans can expect in the UIL Class 6A State Semifinals.
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A Look Back
This season the Hawks posted an incredible 12-0 undefeated district record (32-6 overall). The team has played strong and kept their same level of strength from last season- channeling bigger moments for the team. So far in playoffs, Rockwall-Heath has battled against Garland, Mansfield Lake Ridge, Naaman Forest, Oak Ridge, and most recently- cross-town rival Rockwall. En route to the state tournament, the Hawks have outscored their opponents by a combined 196 runs.
Who To Watch
The defense has continued to be incredible behind pitchers Baylor Baumann and Johnny Lowe. Baumann has a 9-1 record on the mound this season with a 1.60 ERA while Lowe has an 11-1 record on the mound this season with a 1.24 ERA. In over 153 innings, Baumann and Lowe have combined for 181 strikeouts. Jett Williams, projected first-round draft pick and Mississippi State signee, leads the Hawks at the plate with 13 home runs this season and a .404 average. Williams has scored 53 runs this season. Brady Ladusau (.328), Alex Stowers (.323), and Caleb Hoover (.308) all lead the lineup with powerful hitting.
What To Expect
Rockwall-Heath is on the hunt for their third state title- second in a row. The team has gone 4-0 in their state tournament appearances and will likely not end such a great streak. However, the Hawks are going to face off against an intelligent San Antonio Reagan (32-6-2) sqaud who is known for keeping up with the best of the best. Fans can expect decisive fielding from both teams, but with the power at the plate for the Hawks, it's not likely that we will see Rockwall-Heath bow out of the tournament in the semifinals.
The game is expected to begin at 7 p.m. on Friday, June 10 at Dell Diamond in Round Rock, Texas.
Rockwall-Heath athletes hoisting the State Championship trophy after defeating Keller in the UIL Class 6A State Title game (2021).
DFW to State: Eight teams to represent Dallas-Fort Worth in the 2022 UIL State Tournament
As the baseball season nears a close, twenty-four teams from around the state are gearing up to step foot into the biggest Texas high school baseball stage. Of the twenty-four teams, eight are representing the Dallas-Fort Worth area. VYPE DFW takes a look at the DFW teams that are still vying for a state title this season.
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3A
Gunter Tigers (36-1)
There's no doubt that Gunter is more than prepared for their ninth state tournament appearance. After finishing last season in the state tournament, Gunter is ready to make an even bigger splash this season. The Tigers have shown the strength and resiliency that it takes to make it this far in Texas High School baseball and they aren't about to stop before the biggest game of their lives. So far this season, the Tigers have outscored the opposition by a combined 255 runs. The team is currently on a hot 29-game winning streak and will stop at nothing to succeed. In playoffs, the Tigers have taken down Edgewood, Whitesboro, Maypearl, Harmony, and Pottsboro. Gunter is set to take on Corpus Christi London (24-13) at 9 a.m. on Friday, June 10th at Dell Diamond in Round Rock, Texas in the UIL Class 3A State Semifinals.
Brock Eagles (35-3)
Dropping only three games all season, Brock has been on a mission from day one. After losing in the state tournament last season, Brock is back and ready for revenge. The team is making their seventh state tournament appearance (third in four seasons) and has the talent to go all the way. Brock has outscored their opponents by 285 runs this season. Their offense plays smart, but their defense plays strategic. With the heart of champions, Brock is ready to finish their season stronger than ever. In playoffs, the Eagles have ended the seasons of Breckenridge, Coahoma, Holliday, and Idalou. Brock is set to take on Diboll (38-4) at 12 p.m. on Friday, June 10th at Dell Diamond in Round Rock, Texas in the UIL Class 3A State Semifinals.
4A
After a season of working hard, the Argyle Eagles are back in the state tournament. This will be the team's fifth state tournament appearance- third in four seasons. This season, the Eagles have outscored their opponents by a combined 187 runs. In playoffs, the Eagles have defeated Fort Worth Western Hills, Graham, Springtown, Canyon, and most recently Stephenville en route to the UIL State Tournament. Argyle is set to take on China Spring (32-8) at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, June 8th at UFCU Disch in Austin, Texas in the UIL Class 4A State Semifinals.
Celina is battle tested and ready to show their strengths at their second state tournament appearance. The last time the team made it this far was two decades ago in 2002. They are back and ready to prove that they have what it takes to compete with the best-of-the-best in the state. So far this season, the Bobcats have played smart offense- outscoring their opponents by a combined 213 runs. In playoffs, Celina has ended the seasons of Irving Ranchview, Life Waxahachie, Van Alstyne, Liberty Eylau, and most recently Spring Hill. The Bobcats are set to take on Sinton (34-1) at 4 p.m. on Wednesday, June 8th at UFCU Disch in Austin, Texas in the UIL Class 4A State Semifinals.
5A
Mansfield Legacy Broncos (32-9)
Mansfield Legacy is headed into their first-ever state tournament appearance after getting the job done all season. The team posted a notable 12-run final inning in an intense matchup against state tournament regular Aledo last week to advance. The team has used critical moments to define their season and has outscored their opponents by a combined 158 runs so far and doesn't look to be slowing down either offensively or defensively. In playoffs, the team has taken down Fort Worth Trimble Tech, Justin Northwest, Birdville, Lubbock Cooper, and Aledo. The Broncos are set to take on Friendswood (29-7-1) at 4 p.m. on Thursday, June 9th at Dell Diamond in Round Rock, Texas in the UIL Class 5A State Semifinals.
Frisco Wakeland Wolverines (25-13)
Wakeland is geared up for their third state tournament appearance after battling through a tough season of ups and downs. The Wolverines have been able to make big plays when it matters in order to continue advancing forward and showing that they are meant for high-caliber baseball. So far this season, the team has outscored their opponents by a combined 65 runs. With smart defense, Wakeland continues to hold strong against the opposition. In playoffs, the Wolverines have ended the seasons of Dension, Dallas W.T. White, Frisco Independence, Lufkin, and Forney. Wakeland is set to take on Georgetown (33-7) at 7 p.m. on Thursday, June 9th at Dell Diamond in Round Rock, Texas in the UIL Class 5A State Semifinals.
6A
Southlake Carroll Dragons (32-8)
After missing the state tournament last season, the Dragons are ready to play hard and finish their season strong. Southlake Carroll is making their 10th state tournament appearance (third in four seasons) after an incredible season. On a 14-game win streak, the Dragons have outscored their opponents by a combined 168 runs this season. The team is known for playing fast and setting the tone- fans can expect that through the tournament. In playoffs, the Dragons have defeated Hurst L.D. Bell, El Paso The Americas, Frenship, Coppell, and last season state runner-up Keller. Southlake Carroll is set to take on Fort Bend Ridge Point (35-5) at 4 p.m. on Friday, June 10th at Dell Diamond in Round Rock, Texas in the UIL Class 6A State Semifinals.
The reigning UIL Class 6A State Champions are at it again. The Hawks have continued to showcase their talent on the field, at the plate, and during practice to secure their third state tournament appearance (second in-a-row) as they defend their title and go for a repeat. The team had an incredible season filled with highs as they powered through district play and continued taking down the opposition in playoffs. En route to the state tournament, the Hawks have outscored their opponents by a combined 196 runs. With a laser-sharp focus on another title, the Hawks can be expected to turn up the heat and continue playing to their usual strength. In playoffs, the Hawks have ended the seasons of Garland, Mansfield Lake Ridge, Naaman Forest, Oak Ridge, and cross-town, school district rival Rockwall. Rockwall-Heath is set to take on San Antonio Reagan (32-6-2) at 7 p.m. on Friday, June 10th at Dell Diamond in Round Rock, Texas in the UIL Class 6A State Semifinals.