VYPE Live Series Spotlight: Dripping Springs/Lake Travis; Bowie/Westlake
Bowie, Dripping Springs, Lake Travis and Westlake have been mixing it up on the diamond in District 26-6A for years. But with new districts set to go into effect next fall, this year marks the last they’ll clash as district foes, at least for the next two years.
Call it “The Last Hurrah.”
Bowie and Lake Travis have already met. But with the Dawgs facing Westlake and Dripping Springs taking on Lake Travis this week, it’s a perfect opportunity to shine a light on all four teams with dueling VYPE Live Series Spotlights.
Most of the attention will be on the Tigers and the Cavs. Both teams reached the state semifinals last year, winning 29 and 27 games respectively. On paper, this year’s Cavaliers (4-0, 14-8-1) resemble last year’s Tigers, with no fewer than eight senior starters back from last year’s squad. That includes 2025 All-State and 26-6A Pitcher of the Year Cooper Webb and six other All-District returnees. And don’t let that mediocre record fool you; now that district play is here, Coach Ryan Rogers’ bunch is blasting the opposition (except for Bowie, who hung in, especially in Game 2).
Dripping Springs, on the other hand, supposedly emptied the cupboard after graduating most everyone from last year’s team. Yet somehow, Head Coach Chris Payne has got his Tigers (5-1, 18-5-1) battling for another district title with just three returning starters, including a sole senior in 2nd-Team All-district Blake Cox. Two other juniors – 26-6A Newcomer of the Year Jason Steele and Honorable Mention All-District Cade Sanders – bolster what’s essentially last year’s JV squads, promoted to varsity. This should be a great series against battle-tested Lake Travis.
So, too, will Bowie vs. Westlake. Not only have Head Coach Sam Degelia’s Bulldogs (3-3, 14-6-1) already gone toe-to-toe with Lake Travis, they also earned a split last week against Drip to stay in the title chase. The Dawgs are getting it done with just four senior starters back from last year’s playoff team in First Team All-District nominees Louis Olmeda and Leo Pena, and 2nd Teamers Luke Knittel and Andrew Winters, joined by sophomore catcher Devin Loana.
Westlake graduated a ton of talent from last year’s regional semifinalist squad, leaving new Head Coach Danny Wallace with just a handful of experience in his first year back in the Austin area. That two seniors are pitchers – 1st Team All-District Hayes Broadhead and 2nd Team Parker Saltsman – helps a lot, as does senior Defensive MVP Austin Knox. The Chaparrals (4-0, 11-14) have pounded two teams they usually dominate in district thus far, but Bowie will provide a serious test.
It will be strange watching Westlake and Lake Travis battling the Round Rock ISD schools next year. On the other hand, bragging rights are on the line for Dripping Springs and Bowie who want to send their longtime rivals packing with a sour test in their mouth.
What: Dripping Springs vs. Lake Travis
When: Tuesday 3/31 and Thursday 4/2, 7:15 pregame
Where: Tues. @ Cavaliers Field, LTHS; Thurs. @ Tigers Field, DSHS
Who: Melvin Jones
Watch: Broadcast Lineup on https://www.vype.com/
What: Bowie vs. Westlake
When: Tuesday 3/31, 7:20 pregame and Thursday 4/2, 6:50 pregame
Where: Tues. @ Burger Field; Thurs. @ Woerner Field, WHS
Who: Adam Neuburger (Tues.); Jake Herman (Thurs.)
Watch: Broadcast Lineup on https://www.vype.com/
