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PLAY BALL: VYPE Preseason Top 5 Private School Baseball Teams; Others to Watch
The Prospectus
Private school baseball in Houston is a blood bath. Second Baptist School won TAPPS-DII, Bay Area Christian won TAPPS-III, and Kinkaid beat Episcopal to win the Southwest Preparatory Conference title. Private school baseball state-wide comes through Houston. So, who will get through murderer’s row in 2023?
Stay tuned!
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Preseason Top 5
No. 1- Second Baptist School Eagles
No. 2- Concordia Lutheran Crusaders
No. 3- Kinkaid Falcons
No. 4- Lutheran South Pioneers
No. 5- St. Pius X Panthers
Others to Watch:
Bay Area Christian Broncos- The Broncos of Bay Area Christian are really the Bullies of TAPPS Division III. The Broncos are the defending back-to-back State Champions under the direction of coach Kyle Kennedy and aren’t slowing down. Junior Reese Brewer returns after a first-team, all-state selection and will pitch and roam the outfield. Behind the plate is senior Luke Moses, while Colton Chavis returns to the bump after being named a first-team, all-district selection in 2022. The Broncos will be back in the mix.
Episcopal Knights- Coach Matt Fox has one goal every year… win the SPC Title. Kinkaid knocked off the Knights in the SPC Finals in 2022, so Episcopal is fueled to get the trophy back. Adam Katz and Andrew Thornton will provide the offense, while Ashton Lassiter and Logan Phillips will provide the pitching. Katz will also toe the rubber for the Knights as they venture on their 2023 crusade to the title.
St. Thomas Eagles- The Eagles are in a tough spot in a ruthless district with the likes of Concordia Lutheran, St. Pius X, Antonian Prep, and Central Catholic. Coach Adam Massiatte brings back some star-power in first-teamer Caleb Davis and second-teamers Luke Edgecombe, Jack Mathis, and Jaden Deshautelle. Edgecombe, Mathis, and Luke Jameison will deal from the mound, while Davis will set the table on offense.
Fort Bend Christian Academy Eagles- Can FBCA build off of the successes of the football, volleyball, and girls' track teams – who have all won State Titles in the past few seasons? Quarterback Brady Dever returns to the dugout, bringing his leadership ability in tow. Ben Elizondo is the most decorated Eagle after earning first-team, all-district honors as an infielder. The Eagles finished third in the district in 2022 and reached the Area Round and could be a sleeper.
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PLAY BALL: VYPE Preseason Top 5 Private School Softball Teams; Others to Watch
The Prospectus
Episcopal has ran the show in SPC for a long time when it comes to softball. Last season, the Knights brought home yet another SPC crown - the 20th in program history. FBCA finished as State Runner-Ups in 2022 in TAPPS Division II, while Cypress Christian reached the TAPPS Final Four in TAPPS Division III.
Here is a preview of the top teams in the private school landscape in 2023.
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Preseason Top 5
No. 1 Episcopal Knights
No. 2 Fort Bend Christian Academy Eagles
No. 3 St. John’s Mavericks
No. 4 St. Pius X Panthers
No. 5 Lutheran South Academy Pioneers
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Others To Watch
St. Agnes Academy Tigers - The Tigers will be looking towards pitcher Avery Jung, second baseman Kate Sullo, outfielder Julia Sullo and shortstop Mia Valenzuela to get the Tigers into the big dance and reach at least the TAPPS Division I Final Four.
Cypress Christian Warriors - Cypress Christian reached the TAPPS Final Four in Division III a year ago after going 20-3-2 overall, according to MaxPreps. The Warriors are set to return some big bats to the lineup including Lucy Davis (.578, 15 2B, 30 RBIs) and Chloe Robinson (.532, 24 RBIs). Davis was also the ace in the circle for Cypress Christian with 62 strikeouts in 50 ⅔ innings. Can Cypress Christian make the run back to the Final Four again? They have the senior leadership to do it.
Second Baptist School Eagles - It wasn’t that long ago that SBS was hoisting the TAPPS Division II State Championship trophy. In fact, it was just back in 2021 that they did just that. Now, the Eagles are going to try and add another piece of hardware to the case and a ring to their finger and this senior class will be key. Led by Ella Ryan, Kate Marshall and Emily Rogers (Colorado School of Mines), this trio of seniors will be the cornerstones to the Eagles’ success in 2023. Mackenzie Schmidt will be the ace in the circle for SBS as the Eagles look to take back their title this season.