GAMES
RANKINGS
Magnolia West's James Ellwanger
BATTLE FOR MO COUNTY: Lake Creek, Mag West vying for final spot in State
Almost by fate, the final two Houston area teams that remain in the Class 5A postseason come from the same district.
Magnolia West ended the regular season as the District 21-5A champions (12-2) with Lake Creek right on their heels in the No. 2 spot (11-3). But that was the regular season--this is the playoffs, where anything can happen.
2022-23 Magnolia West BaseballJuan De Leon (VYPE)
Throughout the 5A bracketology, neither ballclub has yet to drop a single game and they don’t plan on doing so anytime soon.
The Mustangs, led by first-year coach Travis Earles, are coming off a statement sweep over an imposing Barbers Hill team.
Dallas Baptist-signee James Ellwanger (Sr. RHP)Juan De Leon (VYPE)
Game No. 1 was played at the University of Houston’s Schroeder Park, and saw senior right-hander James Ellwanger deliver yet another exemplary performance on the mound. The Dallas Baptist-signee threw for his second shutout of the postseason, while tacking on nine strikeouts.
In addition, senior IF/P Caylon Dygert, Brandon Seidmeyer (Sr. C), Hayden Carpenter (Sr. OF), and senior 1B Wade Nobles each contributed an RBI on the batting side to round out their 4-0 victory,
Magnolia West's Brandon SeidmeyerJuan De Leon (VYPE)
Sam Houston State University’s Don Sanders Stadium was the venue for game two, which saw Mag West punch their ticket to the Regional Finals with a 3-1 win over the Eagles--bringing their season record to 32-4.
2022-23 Lake Creek BaseballBradley C. Collier (VYPE)
On the other side, Lake Creek won a decisive single-elimination game against La Porte.
The Lions’ ace, Weston Moss (Sr. RHP) was as effective as ever on the mound. The Texas A&M-signee ultimately earned the “W” for his start, while senior left-hander Jackson Wilkerson delivered the save in relief.
Texas A&M-signee Weston Moss (Sr. RHP)Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
At the plate, Samson Pugh (Sr. IF/OF) and junior infielder Austin Wiederhold remained consistent in the contest--each tallied two base hits--to usher Lake Creek to a 5-2 victory against the Bulldogs, bringing the team’s record to 26-9 on the season.
Lake Creek's Samson PughBradley C. Collier (VYPE)
Despite their relatively short history, Lake Creek is no stranger to this stage, considering they reached the Regional Finals a year ago.
But, given how both of these teams have played through the postseason, this could be anyone’s series.
The Battle for Montgomery County, and more importantly the right to enter the State Tournament, begins this week. This will not be one you want to miss.
Tristan Russell of Cy Woods Baseball
WITHIN REACH: Class 6A’s contenders in the Regional Semis
Katy sweeping their district rival Tompkins, Cinco Ranch trouncing Ridge Point in Game No. 3, Clear Springs defeating Kingwood--these are the moments a baseball fan lives for.
Now that we’re into the fourth round of the Class 6A playoff race, these high school ball clubs are closing in on the chance to play for this year’s State Title.
Here’s the lineup for this week in H-Town baseball.
H-Town 6A Standouts: Graham Laxton (Sr. IF)--Katy
Justin Hartojo (VYPE)
Cinco Ranch Cougars v. Pearland Oilers
CInco Ranch makes school history by advancing to the Regional Semis after defeating Ridge Point
Photo acquired via Twitter: @KatyISDAthletic
Cinco Ranch Cougars
2022-23 Regular Season: 27-4/Finished 2nd in District 19-6A
Head Coach: Brett Wallace
2022-23 Playoffs:
- Bi-District: Series Sweep (Game 1: W 10-0, Game 2: W 13-4) v. Hightower
- Area Round: Series Sweep (Game 1: W 4-1, Game 2: W 12-1) v. Memorial
- Regional Quarters: 2-1 Series Win (Game 1: W 8-1, Game 2: L 2-6, Game 3: W 7-0) v. Ridge Point
2022-23 Regular Season: 27-5-1/District 23-6A Champions
Head Coach: David Rogers
2022-23 Playoffs:
- Bi-District: Series Sweep (Game 1: W 11-3, Game 2: W 11-1) v. Brazoswood
- Area Round: 2-1 Series Win (Game 1: W 8-0, Game 2: L 6-7, Game 3: W 4-3) v. Atascocita
- Regional Quarters: Series Sweep (Game 1: W 4-1, Game 2: W 6-2) v. Clear Falls
Some of the stars of 2022-23 Pearland Baseball
Jamie Wright (VYPE)
Katy Tigers v. Clear Springs Chargers
2022-23 Katy Tigers Baseball
Justin Hartojo (VYPE)
2022-23 Regular Season: 22-6-3/Finished 3rd in District 19-6A
Head Coach: Wes Hearne
2022-23 Playoffs:
- Bi-District: Series Sweep (Game 1: W 13-0, Game 2: W 16-6) v. Fort Bend Austin
- Area Round: Series Sweep (Game 1: W 9-0, Game 2: W 7-3) v. Cy-Fair
- Regional Quarters: Series Sweep (Game 1: W 4-3, Game 2: W 5-3) v. Tompkins
Clear Springs Chargers
2022-23 Regular Season: 20-9-1/Finished 3rd in District 24-6A
Head Coach: Chris Floyd
2022-23 Playoffs:
- Bi-District: Series Sweep (Game 1: W 4-3, Game 2: W 7-1) v. Alvin
- Area Round: Series Sweep (Game 1: W 5-4, Game 2: W 8-0) v. Dobie
- Regional Quarters: 2-1 Series Win (Game 1: L 0-4, Game 2: W 7-2, Game 3: W 6-2) v. Kingwood
Cy Woods Wildcats v. Rockwall-Heath Hawks
2022-23 Cy Woods Baseball
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
2022-23 Regular Season: 28-3/District 16-6A Champions
Head Coach: Phil Schwarz
2022-23 Playoffs:
- Bi-District: Series Sweep (Game 1: W 11-1, Game 2: W 7-2) v. Tomball Memorial
- Area Round: Series Sweep (Game 1: W 7-5, Game 2: W 4-2) v. Oak Ridge
- Regional Quarters: Series Sweep (Game 1: W 10-0, Game 2: W 15-0) v. Klein Oak
Rockwall-Heath Hawks
2022-23 Regular Season: 27-7-1/Finished 2nd in District 10-6A
Head Coach: Greg Harvey
2022-23 Playoffs:
- Bi-District: 2-1 Series Win (Game 1: L 0-1, Game 2: W 5-3, Game 3: W 4-3) v. Wylie
- Area Round: Series Sweep (Game 1: W 12-2, Game 2: W 4-2) v. Mansfield Legacy
- Regional Quarters: Series Sweep (Game 1: W 3-2, Game 2: W 2-0) v. Midway
Cy Woods' hot-streak persists into Round No. 4 after outscoring Klein Oak 25-0 in another series sweep.
The series clincher saw several Wildcats share the spotlight, as the majority of the lineup made significant contributions to the 15-run barrage.
Just to name a few, senior 3B Ethan Farris went 2-for-3, with two runs scored and four batted in. Brady Sullivan (Sr. OF) had McClane Helton (Jr. 1B) each two RBIs, while Tristan Russell (Sr. SS) had three. On the mound, senior LHP Chase Morgan pitched a shutout with seven Ks through four innings before being retired.
Coach Phil Schwarz's squad will be traveling to Baylor Ballpark this week more emboldened than ever. The next obstacle in their path is Rockwall-Heath, so look for Cy Woods to make a statement.
The Woodlands Highlanders v. Rockwall Yellowjackets
2022-23 Regular Season: 25-6-1/District 13-6A Champions
Head Coach: Ron Eastman
2022-23 Playoffs:
- Bi-District: Series Sweep (Game 1: W 1-0, Game 2: W 6-0) v. MacArthur
- Area Round: Series Sweep (Game 1: W 5-0, Game 2: W 7-0) v. Klein Collins
- Regional Quarters: 2-1 Series Win (Game 1: W 2-0, Game 2: L 3-4, Game 3: W 9-1) v. Tomball
Rockwall Yellowjackets
2022-23 Regular Season: 29-6/District 10-6A Champions
Head Coach: Barry Rose
2022-23 Playoffs:
- Bi-District: Series Sweep (Game 1: W 8-2, Game 2: W 13-3) v. Naaman Forest
- Area Round: 2-1 Series Win (Game 1: L 1-9, Game 2: W 8-5, Game 3: W 6-0) v. Mansfield
- Regional Quarters: Series Sweep (Game 1: W 11-6, Game 2: W 10-0) v. Lake Ridge
The Highlanders made it clear that they're here for the long haul after their decisive victory over Tomball.
After a hard-fought game one victory, followed by an unfortunate error late in the second game tying up the series, The Woodlands made a statement with their 9-1 win to clinch the series.
Senior right-hander Ethan Coronel was stellar in the opener, shutting out a tough Cougars lineup, while sitting down six batters. Despite the bats being quiet early on, seniors Tyler Howard (4-8, 2 RBI, 4 R) and Logan Ellefson (4-8, 2 RBI, R) spearheaded the TWHS offense to the Regional Semis.
Their matchup this week invokes a little deja vu, as coach Ron Eastman's crew prepares to take on Rockwall--the team that defeated them almost a year ago to the day (2-1 series).
With the tension turned up to 11, this will be a series you won't want to miss.