Keller Captures First State Baseball Championship With 2-1 Victory Over Lake Travis

 admin  |    Jun 6th, 2026

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For the first time in school history, Keller is a Texas high school baseball state champion.

Behind a dominant performance from senior right-hander and game MVP Cole Koeninger and a clutch sixth-inning RBI from Carson Lesley, Keller edged Austin Lake Travis 2-1 on Saturday afternoon at Dell Diamond to claim the UIL Class 6A Division I State Championship.

The victory was especially meaningful for the Indians, who were making just their second appearance in a state championship game. Keller previously reached the title game in 2021, falling to Rockwall-Heath. Five years later, the program completed its unfinished business.

It also served as the final game in the legendary coaching career of Rob Stramp, who retired after 28 seasons as Keller’s head coach and 35 years overall. Stramp closed his career with 770 victories and, fittingly, the first baseball state championship in school history.

Keller wasted little time grabbing the lead. In the top of the first inning, Brock Burkett reached on an error, moved to third on a passed ball and scored on Maximus Segura’s sacrifice fly to left-center field, giving the Indians a 1-0 advantage.

That run looked enormous as Koeninger settled into a rhythm on the mound.

The senior right-hander repeatedly worked out of trouble and held Lake Travis scoreless through 6 2/3 innings. He scattered just two hits while striking out eight and walking five, continually making the big pitch when the Cavaliers threatened. His effort earned him game MVP honors.

Lake Travis’ best early opportunity came in the first inning when Ethan Schlotterback singled and Yanu Molina walked, putting two runners aboard with two outs. Koeninger responded by striking out Elliott Proppe to end the threat.

The game remained a tense pitchers’ duel as Lake Travis starter Cooper Webb matched Koeninger inning for inning. Despite committing two errors, the Cavaliers stayed within striking distance as Webb allowed just one hit through the first five innings.

Keller finally created some breathing room in the sixth.

Segura drew a leadoff walk and was replaced by pinch runner Grey Crowson. Maddox McCrary followed with a single before both runners advanced on a wild pitch. After an intentional walk loaded the bases situation, Lesley delivered the game’s biggest offensive play, reaching on a fielder’s choice that brought Crowson home for a 2-0 lead.

That insurance run proved crucial.

Lake Travis mounted one final push in the bottom of the seventh. Brady Skutta drew a walk and pinch runner Nolan Atkins advanced into scoring position before eventually scoring on a wild pitch, trimming Keller’s lead to 2-1. The Cavaliers then put two runners aboard, forcing Keller to summon Connor Davenport from the bullpen.

Davenport recorded the final out and earned the save, preserving the one-run victory and touching off a championship celebration for the Indians.

The contest was a defensive and pitching showcase. Keller managed just two hits but capitalized on Lake Travis’ two errors and timely situational baseball. The Indians also turned a key double play and played error-free defense. Lake Travis finished with two hits of its own in the tightly contested championship game.

When the final out settled into a glove, Keller had finally reached the summit.

After the heartbreak of 2021, the Indians returned to the state championship stage and completed the journey, delivering the program’s first state title and the perfect ending to one of the most accomplished coaching careers in Texas high school baseball history.

“This is a great reward for a group of guys who have put in the work year after year and have always had a great attitude while putting the team first,” Keller coach Rob Stramp said. “That’s really been the foundation of our program through the years. To go out on top with a state championship in my final game is surreal. You think about it, but you never go into coaching believing you’ve failed if you don’t win one — but it sure is nice to finish this way.”