Argyle Holds Off China Spring 2-1 to Advance to 4A State Championship Game

Argyle scored 2 runs in the bottom of the 3rd to take a 2-1 lead and pitcher Evan Brandt got out of several situations to hold off China Spring and advance to the 4A State Championship Game. Argyle now awaits the winner of the Sinton/Celina matchup in the 2nd 4A State Semifinal Matchup.

China Spring took an early lead in the top of the 2nd when Trace Necessary lead off the inning with a towering solo home run to left field. But it was the last run that Brandt would allow in the game. He had runners in scoring position in the 3rd and 4th but got out of both jams.

Argyle took the lead in the bottom of the 3rd when Ean Sellars lead off with a triple and scored on a wild pitch. Brayden Rosckes got on base on a hit by pitch, advanced to 2nd on a wild pitch, went to 3rd on a JC Davis single and scored on an Alex D’Angelo Sacrifice Fly.

Brandt had easier innings in the 5th and 6th but got into trouble again in the top of the 7th with the tying run on 2nd and no outs. Brandt got a strike out and after a hit batter, got a foul out and fly out to end the game.

“I was hoping coach would let me finish,” Brandt explained. “I had confidence and I had confidence in my teammates and I’m glad the coaches had confidence in me. It is probably my last high school game so I wanted to go out with a big win.”

Brandt pitching 7 innings, gave up 5 hits, 1 run on 5 strikeouts and 4 walks. He was named the Texas High School Baseball Player of the Game.

Tomorrow will be Argyle’s 5th State Championship game in the last eight 4A State Championships. They have won 3 State Championships – 2015, 2018, 2019.