5A Preseason Top 20

1. Amarillo Golden Sandies – Returning 10 starters from the 31-9 Regional Semifinalist team, including Max Marusek, 12, IF/OF (.450,57R/TTU); Mason Mays, 12, P/OF (9-1, 1.19ERA/WTAMU); and Aaron Haase, 12, P/OF (5-1, 1.38ERA/Wichita State)
2. Forney Jackrabbits – Returning 6 starters from the 28-8 Regional Semifinalist team, including the top 2 pitchers led by Jonathan Childress, 12, P/DH (8-1, TAMU) and Mason Englert, 12, P/UT (11-2, TAMU)
3. Tomball Cougars – Returning 6 starters from the 28-12 Regional Semifinalist squad, including Erik Oakes, 12, P/IF (.417, 5HR/Texas State) and Brandon Marshall, 12, 1B/P (34H, 2HR/San Jac)
4. Mansfield Legacy Broncos – Returns 8 starters from the 29-12 Regional Finalist team, including Ryan Hill, 12, SS/P (11-2, 1.54ERA) and Nate Rombach, 11, C (.423,8HR/TTU)
5. Port Neches-Groves Indians – Returning 6 starters from the 2017 State Champions, including Josh Hranicky, 12, LHP (11-2, 1.92ERA/Lamar) and Austin Bost, 12, 3B (.366, 14 2B/Panola)
6. College Station Cougars – Returns 6 starters from last year’s 22-8 Area Finalist squad, including top 3 pitchers led by Travis Hester, 12, P (9-1/Arkansas) and Bryson Lucas, 11, P (4-1/TCU)
7. CC Moody Trojans – Returning 4 starters from last year’s 30-3-3 State Semifinalist team, including Dominik Lopez, 12, LHP/OF/1B (All Tournament Team/TAMUCC) and Andrew Saenz, 12, 2B/3B (.290,4W)
8. Cleburne Yellow Jackets – Returning 8 starters from last year’s 32-9 Regional Semifinalist squad, including Willie Rangel, 12, LHP (9-2, 1.28ERA/TTU); Major Jobe, 11, P (8-3, 1.88ERA) and Landon Cody, 12, 1B/P (7-3)
9. Prosper Eagles – Returning 10 starters from last year’s 29-6-1 Regional Quarterfinalist team, including top 3 pitchers led by Jacob Cosner, 11, P (7-0, 1.29ERA); Braden Carmichael, 12, P/OF (7-2, 1.64ERA) and Taylor Pendley, 12, P/OF (.348/TTU)
10. Georgetown Eagles – Returning 9 starters from the 22-9 Bi-district Finalist team, including Wesley Gafford, 12, P (5-2/TCU) and All State standout Cole Moore, 12, 1B/C (.395/TTU)
11. Brenham Cubs – Returning 5 starters from 26-11-1 Regional Finalist team, including Eric Wellman, 12, P (7-2, 1.4ERA) and Pierce Weiss, 12, C (.337, 20RBI)
12. Colleyville Heritage Panthers – Returning 4 starters from last year’s 38-6-1 Regional Finalist team, including Bobby Witt Jr, 11, IF/P (.470, 10HR/Oklahoma) and Nick Balsano, 11, C (.363/Baylor)
13. CC Ray Texans – Returning 8 starters from the 27-9 Regional Finalist team, including Antonio Valdez, 12, MIF/P (.364/IWU); Isaac Flores, 10, P/OF (6-0, 1.27ERA) and Ronald Vasquez, 11, P/OF (5-2, 2.59ERA)
14. Kerville Tivy Antlers – Returning 4 starters from the 29-6 Regional Semifinalist squad, including Milan Walla, 12, CF/P (.455, 45H/Oklahoma) and Lance Ford, 12, 2B/P (.375, 42H/Texas)
15. Frisco Wakeland Wolverines – Returning 3 starters from the 38-5-1 State Semifinalist team, including Bryan Meissner, 12, P (4-1, 0.42ERA)
16. Leander Rouse Raiders – Returning 7 starters from the 24-9-1 Regional Quarterfinalist squad, including 2 of the top 3 pitchers in Hayden Thomas, 12, P/OF (3-2/TAMUCC) and Jared Southard, 12, P/1B (5-0,65K/Texas)
17. Grapevine Mustangs – Returning 4 starters from last year’s 33-13 State Finalist team, including Nick Pierce, 12, OF (All Tournament Team/UTA) and Noah Brown, 12, P (Odessa)
18. Manvel Mavericks – Returning 7 starters from the 18-11-1 Area Finalist team, including Damon Fernandez, 12, OF/P (.386, 6-1/Texas State) and Eric Benitez, 11, C/P (Defensive MVP)
19. Aledo Bearcats – Returning 7 starters from last year’s 28-11 Regional Quarterfinalist team, including Hunter Rosson, 12, SS (.348, 46H/HM All State) and Nathan Fingar, 10, RF (.363, 45H/Newcomer of the Year)
20. Barbers Hill Eagles – Returning 4 starters from the 29-5 Regional Quarterfinalist team, including Cully Mangus, 12, IF/P (.308, 2.1ERA/SFA) and Blake Cappadona, 12, OF (.377/Offensive MVP)

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