The North Shore Mustangs finished the 2024 season with a bad taste in their mouth after losing in the UIL 6A DI State Semifinal to Westlake.
The Mustangs lost a lot of talent from last year's team but as many of the top programs do, they have reloaded and are looking to get back to State!
Under threat of stormy skies, the 2025 UIL State Baseball playoffs get underway this week across the state of Texas. While Mother Nature’s thunderstorms won’t be the only one thing watering down the playoffs, thanks to the new Division 1 and Division 2 format implemented at the start of the school year, tournament time always means high drama at the ballpark.
Here’s VYPE’s look at the first-round matchups and playoff picture as teams from the Austin area begin their journey to Dell Diamond.
6A Division 1
25-6A #1 Round Rock (24-5-1) vs. 26-6A #2 Bowie (12-12)
25-6A #2 Cedar Ridge (20-8) vs. 26-6A #1 Lake Travis (18-9-3)
29-6A #1 Buda Johnson (19-9) vs. 30-6A #2 Laredo United (18-12)
6A Division 2
25-6A #1 Vandegrift (21-8) vs. 26-6A #2 Westlake (21-6-1)
25-6A #2 McNeil (14-10-2) vs. 26-6A #1 Dripping Springs (20-8)
29-6A #2 San Marcos (21-8-1) vs. 30-6A #1 Laredo Alexander (19-8)
The District 25-6A and District 26-6A races have been fun to watch all season long. Everybody beat up on everybody, especially in 25-6A where even non-playoff teams were an even bet to affect the playoff race. Round Rock held off Vandegrift to claim the 25-6A title and will face a Bowie squad that returned to the postseason after losing a ton of players from last year’s squad. The Vipers locked down the top seed in 25-6A Division 2 and will face a tough Westlake squad.
Heavy-hitting Cedar Ridge will battle perennial power Lake Travis in the other Division 1 matchup while Dripping Springs, picked by many to reach the State Tournament, faces McNeil after a thrilling sweep against Westlake to close out the regular season.
Buda Johnson and San Marcos battled each other in District 29-6A and, stuck in a southern-facing district, will turn their attention towards Laredo.
5A Division 1
23-5A #1 Hendrickson (12-16) vs. 24-5A #2 McCallum (13-15-1)
23-5A #2 East View (13-13-2) vs. 24-5A #1 Anderson (22-6)
25-5A #1 Rouse (21-8-2) 26-5A #2 vs. Smithson Valley (18-9)
25-5A #2 Glenn (10-14) vs. 26-5A #1 New Braunfels (23-6)
5A Division 2
23-5A #1 Georgetown (15-13-1) vs. 24-5A #2 Austin LASA (11-15)
23-5A #2 Weiss (18-6-2) vs. 24-5A #1 Bastrop (13-16)
25-5A #1 Liberty Hill (21-7) vs. 26-5A #2 SA Pieper (14-10-1)
25-5A #2 Cedar Park (11-15) vs. 26-5A #1 Boerne Champion (23-7)
Normally a hotbed of powerful Central Texas teams, Conference 5A was a little down in the Austin area this year, with a couple of notable exceptions.
District 24-5A champion Anderson dominated their district in their first season back as a 5A program and hope to stay hot against East View in a Division 1 matchup. The Rouse Raiders from 25-5A had another tremendous season but drew a tough first-round matchup against Smithson Valley. Lastly, Liberty Hill enjoyed another solid season from District 25-5A but can’t look past Pieper in their first round.
A number of 5A teams that usually run up big regular season numbers, such as Cedar Park, Hendrickson and McCallum, hovered around the .500 mark this year. But they made the dance and hope to do some damage while they’re there.
4A Division 1
23-4A #1 China Spring (27-4) vs. 24-4A #2 Marble Falls (13-13)
23-4A #2 Gatesville (17-11-1) vs. 24-4A #1 Lampasas (19-5-2)
25-4A #1 Austin Eastside (10-9) vs. 26-4A #2 Canyon Lake (17-11-1)
25-4A #2 Travis (9-7) vs. 26-4A #1 Davenport (20-5-2)
4A Division 2
23-4A #1 Lorena (20-7-1) vs. 24-4A #2 Burnet (17-7)
23-4A #2 Robinson (19-7) vs. 24-4A #1 Salado (17-9-1)
25-4A #1 Lago Vista (17-8) vs. 26-4A #2 Wimberley (16-5-1)
25-4A #2 Manor New Tech (14-9) vs. 26-4A #1 Geronimo Navarro (20-3)
Much like the Dripping Springs/Westlake and Round Rock/Vandegrift matchups in 6A, Lago Vista and Manor New Tech went at it to close out the regular season in District 25-4A. While the Vikings got the better end of it, the Titans might get another chance – if both teams can survive a few rounds.
Further out, Lampasas, Marble Falls, Burnet and Salado are still going at it in a district that used to be dominated by Liberty Hill. On paper, only Lampasas might be a (slight) favorite – but all four of those teams have a fighting chance.
Eastside and especially Travis face uphill battles in their respective first round series.
Hopefully Mother Nature will back off and let all these teams take those first steps to Dell Diamond. Play ball!
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