GAMES
RANKINGS
Whataburger Team of the Week: Tomball writes storybook ending in UIL title run
In doing so, Tomball not only reclaimed the throne it lost last spring in a narrow defeat to Kingwood, but also added a third state title to its history, joining the trophies collected in 2013 and 2024.
Moments after the final out, the Cougars emerged in bright red shirts emblazoned with the words "Taken Back"—a fitting tribute to the team's season-long rallying cry, #TakeItBack.
Entering the season, questions lingered after several key departures, but the Cougars responded by putting together one of the most dominant campaigns seen in recent memory.
Tomball senior CJ Sampson lifts the 6A Division II State MVP award toward the crowd and his teammates in celebrationMatthew Ogle (VYPE)
“I think we were underdogs to begin the season because we had a few guys leave,” senior pitcher CJ Sampson said. “We went out there and proved everybody wrong, ended up being the No. 1 team in the country, and also proved everyone who believed in us right.”
Sampson, a Texas A&M signee, punctuated his high school career with a State MVP performance. The senior right-hander allowed no earned runs while striking out eight batters during the final, and also going 2-for-3 at the plate.
The Cougars' success extended throughout the roster. Sampson, Catcher Hopkins, Daniel O'Briant, Caleb Gafford, Nolan Rush, and Keagan Fosdick all earned selections to the State All-Tournament Team following the title-clinching weekend.
Catcher Hopkins (right) poses with Sampson (left), both biting into their newly earned gold medalsMatthew Ogle (VYPE)
For Hopkins, another Texas A&M signee, the accomplishment carried added significance. After helping Tomball win a championship as a sophomore and experiencing heartbreak in last year's title game, the senior finished his tenure by bringing the Cougars back to the top.
“It's really hard to top my sophomore year, when I won it for the first time,” Hopkins said. “But there's nothing like being a senior, playing my last game in a Tomball jersey, and doing it all with a target on our backs. After falling short last year, getting back to this point and getting the job done—it's the best feeling in the world.”
Matthew Ogle (VYPE)
THE ROAD ENDS HERE: 2026 UIL Baseball State Championship Preview — Lake Creek vs. Aledo, 5A D1
WHERE: Dell Diamond -- Round Rock, TX
...
CLICK HERE TO STAY UPDATED ON ALL OF THE UIL SOFTBALL STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS
...
LAKE CREEK LIONS
It's a historic moment for Lake Creek. Just one week after the school's softball program captured its second consecutive UIL title, the Lions' baseball team is set to make its first-ever appearance on the State stage Friday.
Dell Diamond awaits a Lake Creek (26-17) squad coming off a dramatic, series-saving rally against Rouse in the semifinal round. After dropping Game 1, 7-3, the Lions responded with a 9-6 win in Game 2 before securing a decisive 2-1 victory in the winner-take-all finale to punch their ticket to state.
Beyond embracing the underdog role throughout the postseason, Schramm's squad boasts a lineup capable of changing a game at any point in the order.
LSU-Eunice commit Peyton Trummell (Sr. OF) set a new program single-season home run record (8) less than two weeks ago and most recently delivered a pair of timely RBIs that helped swing the semifinal series against Rouse in Lake Creek's favor.
Fellow seniors Jackson Marshall (UNC Asheville commit) and Reed Newkirk (Army)—both recently selected to the GHBCA All-Star Game alongside Trummell—are hitting well above .300 while patrolling the outfield. The production continues in the infield, where juniors Jaxon Schramm and Aiden Rossano are posting similar numbers, with Schramm leading the Lions at a .374 clip this season.
Meanwhile, Lake Creek's pitching staff thrives on its depth, led by seniors Harper Heathcott (Temple College) and Gavin Nabors (Angelina College), along with junior Kale White and a host of other reliable arms.
2025-2026 Lake Creek Lions BaseballFarrah Sheeren (VYPE)
ALEDO BEARCATS
The Bearcats find themselves right where they left off a year ago, returning to Round Rock with the confidence and magnetism expected of a defending state champion.
Now, head coach Chad Barry and company have their sights set on the program's third state title. Aledo (38-3) secured its place in the season finale with a commanding sweep of McKinney North in last week's semifinal series.
Reigning 5A Division I State MVP Lucas Nawrocki was instrumental in Aledo's return to the championship stage, launching a go-ahead grand slam—his 10th home run of the season—that ultimately sealed Game 2.
The LSU-bound senior has been dominant on both sides of the ball. In addition to hitting north of .500, the left-hander owns an 11-0 record on the mound, cementing his status as one of the state's premier two-way talents.
Aledo's depth extends well beyond its headliner. Junior outfielder Luke Gladchuk (Texas commit) is hitting just under .400 this season, while senior Landon Barnes (Weatherford College), utility standout Wilson Sehnem, and future Murray State Racer Will Cayce help form the foundation of one of the state's most complete rosters.
