Congrats to Prosper HC Rick Carpenter for reaching 800 Wins in a thrilling 4-3 win over 6A #14 Coppell. He is the second winningest active coach in Texas.
Since he got on the scene in 1983 Carpenter began winning and never stopped. Entering his 35th season coaching this year, his teams have had 24 twenty-Win seasons. Just to show how little Carpenters teams have lost, he has only had one losing season his entire career.
Starting at High Island with stops at La Marque, Dulles, Fort Bend Elkins, and now Prosper; Carpenter’s teams won District 16 Times. He won his first state championship with Elkins in 1995 (32-2) and went on a hot streak after that. His teams returned to the State Tournament in 1998 (Runner Up), 2000 (Semi Finalist), and 2001 (Semi Finalist). In 2002 after going 35-1 and winning another State Championship, Elkins was named the National Champion by USA Today. They followed it up with another State Championship in 2003. Who can imagine taking over a new school (Elkins) in 1992 and putting together a resume like Carpenter has done. Highlighting the runs from the 2002 and 2003 team was Carpenter’s oldest son Matt Carpenter, who is now a Major League Ballplayer with the St Louis Cardinals.
Carpenter again returned to the State Tournament in 2015 with Prosper and won it all before a crowd of more than 8,000 fans vs. Georgetown. The Eagles went 35-3 that season. With his 4th State Championship in hand, Carpenter is now tied for 3rd among Texas High School Baseball Coaches with 4 State Championships. Carpenter is one of only 2 coaches in the history of the State Tournament to win a title with 2 different schools.
Carpenter’s current group of Eagles are off to a fast start and have enjoyed a successful tournament season. Carpenter, ranked 2nd in wins, will without a doubt have a shot at another 20 win season. We at THSB wish Coach Carpenter the best and many more wins. It is because of coaches like him that Texas High School Baseball is the best in the land.
-Javier Ramirez
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