REGIONAL SEMIFINAL MINI RECAPS
Littlefield over Sonora, 10-5
In the first region I semifinal, you have Littlefield out of district 2-3A, and Sonora out of 5-3A going at it. This was the only 1-game series in the regional semifinal round and it took place on Thursday, so whoever won this game would be the first to have their ticket punched to the finals. Littlefield got the offense going early with 2 runs in the first inning. Sonora answered back in the bottom half of the first with 3 of their own, but it was Littlefield with 4 in the 3rd and 2 in the sixth to help seal the deal. The offensive surge was spread throughout the lineup, but Bryson Calaway finished 3-5 while Reese Rogers was 2-3 with 1 base on balls and 1 RBI.
Shallowater over Cisco, 3-1; 3-4; 3-2
This West Texas regional semifinal was one of the tightest ones out there this past week. In Game 1, Cisco was able to take a 1-0 lead in the 4th inning, but it was Shallowater with 3 runs in the 5th that led to the victory. Connor Smith had the big single in the inning to give the Mustangs the lead for good. Ryan Kotulek tossed 7 innings, giving up just 1 hit, 1 unearned run, and 8 strikeouts. After Cisco took game 2, it game down to a winner-take-all game 3. Shallowater broke out with a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first but Cisco would answer with a 2-spot in the bottom of the inning. Jarrett Simons & Connor Smith had RBI singles in the 4th & 5th inning for the Mustangs. Simons was also excellent on the mound, going all 7 innings giving up just 6 hits, 2 runs, and 7 K’s.
Pottsboro over Van Alstyne, 1-5; 8-2; 6-2
It was not easy for Pottsboro here. The Cardinals fell in game 1 to Van Alstyne, but managed to battle back in games 2 and 3 to earn series win. In game 2, Pottsboro held a tight 2-1 advantage in the 5th inning, before the Cardinals dropped 6 runs to pull away for the win. Miles Mitchusson had the big hit in the inning, with the 3-RBI triple. Tyler Tuck struck over 10 Panther batters in his 7 complete innings on the hill. In game 3, Pottsboro put to the pressure on, scoring 1 in the first and 2 in the 2nd to build a 3-0 lead. The Panthers scored 2 in the bottom half of the frame to cut if to 3-2, but it was the Cardinals that would add on 3 insurance runs in the 5th. Tyler Tuck was perfect at the plate, going 3-3 with 1 base on balls and 1 RBI.
Edgewood over Gunter, 1-5; 3-0; 6-5
Just like with Pottsboro and Van Alstyne, Edgewood would have to put a game 1 loss behind them and battle back to take games 2 & 3 to advance past Gunter and earn themselves a spot in the region II finals. Edgewood was in good hands with Jackson Tyner on the hill, with the senior giving up nothing to help force a game 3. With two top ranked teams, having this series going down to the wire should not have surprised anyone. The Bulldogs were down 3-0 after five innings, but got it clicking in the 6th with 6 runs. Gunter had the tying run on 2nd base with no outs in the 7th, but he was not able to score.
West over Elkhart, 6-2; 5-1
West had only dropped 2 games all year coming into this regional semifinal series. The Trojans continued to look strong in all three phases of the game here with their sweep over a solid Elkhart team. In game 1 it was a balanced effort with the likes of Preston Macik, Dalton Wiethorn, JR Rozyskie, and Karder Bing all driving in runs for West. Bailey Horn was solid on the mound, throwing 7 innings, giving up 4 hits and 1 earned run while striking out 9. In game 2 you had a similar theme with Griffin Paxton, Landon Kock, Brandt Shilling, and Wiethorn all driving in runs. To go along with that you have another quality start on the mound, with Preston Macik tossing all 7 innings, giving up just 1 hit, 1 run, and striking out 9.
Teague over New Waverly, 8-7; 6-3
Teague and New Waverly arguably played the most exciting game of the regional semifinal round of the playoffs in game 1. For one, you had extra innings. Secondly, you have two quality teams. Lastly, you have a back-and-forth affair. Teague took control early in the contest but New Wavelry managed to battle back to tie up the game to take it to extras. In the end it was a 3rd-to-1st balk that scored Teague baserunner Mikkail Shepherd to give the Lions a win. The second game was a total team effort as the Lions battled back from an early deficit to sweep the series.
Lago Vista over Banquete, 2-3; 6-5; 9-1
After battling in two tight contests, game 3 between the Vikings and Bulldogs got interesting. Lago Vista held a 7-1 lead over Banquete when weather set it and forced the teams to relocate to Kerrville for the final two innings of play. Lago Vista was not letting this lead slip away and pulled away for the 9-1 win. Alex DeLeon (4-8, 6 RBI) and Collin Docker (4-9, 3 RBI) came through big at the plate. Coach Grant credits his group, saying they have a “never say die mentality”. “They are so fun to coach and I can’t wait to continue this journey with them.”
Bishop over Comfort, 3-2; 5-6; 12-1
Games 1 & 2 went down to the wire in this series, but the Badgers left no doubt in game 3, cruising to the 12-1 win in just 5 innings of play. Bishop used great pitching and defense in game 1 to help secure the 9-inning win. Noe Garza was clutch in relief, going 3 innings while giving up just 2 hits, no runs, and 2 strikeouts. A Wade Rogers walk-off single scored Garza in the final frame. In game 3, it was offense and defense. Nick Colecio was 2-2 with a grand slam, accounting for 5 runs driven in. Kobrey Garcia was also perfect on the evening, going 3-3 with an RBI. Garza went all 5 innings, giving up just 3 hits and 1 run while striking out 3.
