Posted:
Saturday, May 29, 2010 7:12:11 PM
Final: Rockwall-Heath 6, Cleburne 2
Rockwall-Heath finished off a 6-2 victory against Cleburne to win Game 3 of a 4A Region II semifinal series. The Hawks (39-1), ranked No. 1 in the country, advanced to meet Frisco Wakeland in the Region II championship series next week. Cleburne finished 30-12.
— Carlos Mendez
Posted:
Saturday, May 29, 2010 6:53:35 PM
More for Rockwall-Heath
Rockwall-Heath gave itself more breathing room in the sixth inning, scoring two runs on an RBI double by Javon Hernandez and an RBI single by Jake Thompson for a 5-2 lead. In the meantime, the Cleburne offense has gone silent, with seven batters retired in a row.
— Carlos Mendez
Posted:
Saturday, May 29, 2010 6:32:35 PM
Rockwall-Heath back in front, 3-2
The Hawks hit three doubles to score two runs in the top of the fifth inning and lead 3-2. Jake Thompson led off with a double off the wall in left-center, and after a sacrifice, Drew Baxter doubled down the line in left and John Branum doubled to the gap in left center. Jose Martinez came on in relief for Cleburne and got the final two outs of the inning.
— Carlos Mendez
Posted:
Saturday, May 29, 2010 6:08:37 PM
End 3rd: Cleburne 2, Rockwall-Heath 1
Cleburne got another run on Ty Taylor's single off the leg of pitcher Javon Hernandez, but Rockwall-Heath kept the inning from being bigger. After the RBI hit, the Hawks turned a double play to get out of the inning.
— Carlos Mendez
Posted:
Saturday, May 29, 2010 5:24:25 PM
Cleburne up 1-0 in Game 3
Conner Marshall's two-out single scored Hector Juarez from second base to give Cleburne a 1-0 lead in the first inning against Rockwall-Heath in Game 3 of a 4A Region II semifinal series. Juarez had walked to lead off the inning.
— Carlos Mendez
Posted:
Saturday, May 29, 2010 4:33:18 PM
Game 2 final: Cleburne 4, R-Heath 3
Cleburne did it. The Yellow Jackets became the first team to knock off the country's No. 1 team, Rockwall-Heath, with a 4-3 victory in Game 2 of a Class 4A Region II semifinal series at Cleburne. Cleburne senior right-hander Ty Taylor got cleanup hitter Drew Benefield to hit into a 5-4-3 double play with runners at first and second to end the game as Rockwall-Heath (38-1) suffered its first loss. Taylor (10-3) had hit the batters to put them on base. Cleburne (30-11) scored four times in the first inning on a pair of two-out, two-run singles by Tanner Marshall and Max Reynolds.
— Carlos Mendez
Posted:
Saturday, May 29, 2010 4:02:36 PM
End 5th: Cleburne 4, R-Heath 3
Cleburne scored four runs in the first inning, and through five innings is still hanging on to its lead. Tanner Marshall and Max Reynolds each had two-run singles with two outs in the first inning. Rockwall-Heath came back with two runs in the third and one in the fourth against Cleburne starter Ty Taylor.
— Carlos Mendez
Posted:
Saturday, May 22, 2010 12:27:23 AM
Statewide playoff results
CLASS 5A REGION I QUARTERFINALS
Arlington Martin vs. Lubbock Coronado
Game 1: Coronado 6, Martin 0
Game 2: 5 p.m Sat. at Christensen Stad., Midland
Game 3*: 30 min. after
Plano West 4, Dallas Jesuit 1
Burleson vs. Lubbock Monterey
Game 1: Monterey 7, Burleson 2
Game 2: noon Sat. at Driggers Field, Abilene
Game 3*: 30 min. after
S. Grand Prairie vs. Marcus
Game 1: SGP 12, Marcus 3
Game 2: Marcus 14, SGP 0
Game 3: 1 p.m. Sat. at Grapevine HS
CLASS 5A REGION II QUARTERFINALS
Belton vs. Lake Highlands
Game 1: Belton 4, LH 1
Game 2: TBA Sat.
Game 3*: TBA Sat.
Klein Collins d. Spring
Game 1: Collins 10, Spring 9
Game 2: Collins 7, Spring 3
Tyler Lee vs. A&M Consolidated
Game 1: Lee 3, A&M 2
Game 2: 7 p.m. Fri. at Sam Houston State
Game 3*: 7 p.m. Sat. at Sam Houston State
Klein d. Leander
Game 1: Klein 11, Leander 5
Game 2: Klein 6, Leander 1
CLASS 5A REGION III QUARTERFINALS
Hou. Memorial d. Hou. Bellaire
Game 1: Memorial 6, Bellaire 3
Game 2: Memorial 6, Bellaire 3
Brazoswood vs. Pearland
Game 1: Brazoswood 14, Pearland 0
Game 2: Pearland 10, Brazoswood 2
Game 3: 2 p.m. Sat. at Brazoswood
Hou. Stratford 8, Katy Taylor 5
FB Clements vs. FB Austin
Game 1: Clements 12, Austin 5
Game 2: 2 p.m. Sat. at Katy Seven Lakes
Game 3*: 30 min. after
CLASS 5A REGION IV QUARTERFINALS
SA O’Connor vs. SA Churchill
Game 1: Churchill 1, O’Connor 0
Game 2: O’Connor 3, Churchill 2
Game 3: 7 p.m. Sat. at UTSA
Brownsville Lopez vs. McAllen
Game 1: McAllen 7, Lopez 1
Game 2: TBA Fri.
Game 3*: TBA Sat.
CC Carroll vs. SA Stevens
Game 1: Carroll 5, Stevens 0
Game 2: TBA Sat.
Game 3*: TBA Sat.
La Joya 6, Mission Sharlyand 5
CLASS 4A REGION I QUARTERFINALS
Wolfforth Frenship vs. EP Riverside
Game 1: Frenship 10, Riverside 9
Game 2: 2 p.m Sat. at Thunderbird Field
Game 3*: 30 min. after
Mans. Legacy vs. Birdville
Game 1: Legacy 5, Birdville 2
Game 2: Birdville 5, Legacy 1
Game 3: 2 p.m. Sat. at Birdville HS
Canyon vs. Abilene Cooper
Game 1: Canyon 6, Cooper 3
Game 2: 1 p.m Sat. at Lubb. Christ. Univ.
Game 3*: 30 min. after
WF Rider d. Arl. Heights
Game 1: Rider 4, Heights 1
Game 2: Rider 2, Heights 1
CLASS 4A REGION II QUARTERFINALS
Rockwall-Heath 6, Carr. Smith 0
Cleburne d. Sulphur Springs
Game 1: Cleburne 2, Sulphur Springs 1
Game 2: Cleburne 4, Sulphur Springs 3
Frisco Wakeland d. Rockwall
Game 1: Wakeland 4, Rockwall 1
Game 2: Wakeland 10, Rockwall 7
Waco Midway d. Texarkana Texas
Game 1: Midway 8, Texas 0
Game 2: Midway 16, Texas 5
CLASS 4A REGION III QUARTERFINALS
Buda Hays vs. Brenham
Game 1: Brenham 11, Buda Hays 0
Game 2: TBA Sat at Weimar
Game 3*: 30 min. after
Texas City vs. Lamar Consolidated
Game 1: Texas City 5, Lamar 1
Game 2: TBA Sat. at Alvin HS
Game 3*: 30 min. after
Magnolia vs. Port Neches-Groves
Game 1: PNG 8, Magnolia 5
Game 2: Magnolia 3, PNG 1
Game 3: TBA Sat. at Hou. Sterling
Friendswood vs. Hou. Waltrip
Game 1: Friendswood 10, Waltrip 1
Game 2: Waltrip 4, Friensdwood 3
Game 3*: TBA Sat at Friendswood
CLASS 4A REGION IV QUARTERFINALS
Lake Travis vs. Dripping Springs
Game 1: D. Springs 3, L. Travis 0
Game 2: Lake Travis 5, Dr. Springs 4
Game 3: TBA Sat. at Burger Center, Austin
CC Moody d. Medina Valley
Game 1: Moody 1, Medina Valley 0
Game 2: Moody 8, Medina Valley 0
Pflug. Hendrickson d. Hutto
Game 1: Hendrickson 4, Hutto 2
Game 2: Hendrickson 11, Hutto 5
CC Callalen vs. Uvalde
Game 1: Calallen 12, Uvalde 0
Game 2: 4 p.m. Sat. at Callalen
Game 3*: 30 min. after
CLASS 3A REGION I QUARTERFINALS
Abilene Wylie vs. Brownwood
Game 1: Wylie 12, Brownwood 1
Game 2: 1 p.m. Sat. at Hardin-Simmons
Game 3*: 30 min. after
Burnet 8, Gatesville 1
Monahans vs. Lubbock Estacado
Game 1: Estacado 12, Monahans 0
Game 2: 1 p.m. Sat. at Citibank Ballpark
Game 3*: 30 min. after
West vs. China Spring late. Fri. at Waco ISD Field
CLASS 3A REGION II QUARTERFINALS
Kennedale d. Paris North Lamar
Game 1: Kennedale 13, North Lamar 6
Game 2: PNL 8, Kennedale 6
Game 3: Kennedale 15, PNL 1
Texarkana Pleasant Grove vs. Pittsburg
Game 1: late Fri.
Game 2: 1 p.m. Sat. at East Texas Bapt.
Game 3*: 30 min, after
Argyle 7, Paris 3
Princeton vs. Lucas Lovejoy
Game 1: Lovejoy 5, Princeton 3
Game 2: Lovejoy 10, Princeton 4
CLASS 3A REGION III QUARTERFINALS
Lufkin Hudson vs. Jasper
Game 1: Hudson 13, Jasper 7
Game 2: TBA Sat. at Woodville
Game 3*: TBA Sat. at Woodville
Bridge City vs. Huffman Hargrave
Game 1: Bridge City 12, HH 5
Game 2: 3 p.m. Sat. at New Caney
Game 3*: 30 min. after
Waco Robinson vs. Mexia, TBA
West Orange-Stark vs. Orangefield
Game 1: 7 p.m. Fri. at Westbrook
Game 2: 4 p.m. Sat. at Westbrook
Game 3*: 30 min. after
CLASS 3A REGION IV QUARTERFINALS
LaGrange vs. Needville
Game 1: Needville 9, LaGrange 6
Game 2: late Fri.
Game 3*: 2 p.m. Sat. at Katy HS
Hidalgo vs. Boerne
Game 1: Boerne 7, Hidalgo 1
Game 2: 11 a.m. Sat. at Texas A&M-Kingsville
Game 3*: 30 min. after
Bellville vs. Giddings late
Robstown 13, Mathis 1
CLASS 2A REGION I QUARTERFINALS
Presidio vs. Shallowater
Game 1: Presidio 13, Shallowater 6
Game 2: 11 a.m. Sat. at Christenesen Stad.
Game 3*: 30 min. after
Bangs vs. Hawley
Game 1: Bangs 6, Hawley 4
Game 2: 1 p.m. Sat. at Mineral Wells
Game 3*: 30 min. after
Abernathy vs. Bushland
Game 1: late Fri.
Game 2: noon Sat. at Wayland Bapt.
Game 3*: 30 min. after
Tuscola Jim Ned 2, Holliday 1
CLASS 2A REGION II QUARTERFINALS
Redwater vs. Aubrey
Game 1: late Fri.
Game 2: TBA Sat. at Paris N. Lamar
Game 3*: 30 min. after
Troy vs. Mildred
Game 1: late Thurs.
Game 2: late Fri.
Game 3*: TBA Sat. at Red Oak
Brock 7, Gunter 0
Sunnyvale vs. Maypearl
Game 1: Sunnyvale 6, Maypearl 0
Game 2: 6 p.m. Sat at Waxahachie
Game 3*: 30 min. after
CLASS 2A REGION III QUARTERFINALS
Harmony vs. White Oak
Game 1: late Fri.
Game 2: noon Sat. at Hallsville
Game 3*: 30 min. after
Corrigan-Camden vs. Shelbyville
Game 1: CC 7, Shelbyville 2
Game 2: noon Sat. at Angelina JC
Game 3*: 30 min. after
Harleton vs. Rosebud-Lott
Game 1: late Fri.
Game 2: 2 p.m. Sat. at Waxahachie
Game 3*: 30 min. after
Hemphill vs. New Waverly
Game 1: late Fri.
Game 2: noon Sat. at Lufkin
Game 3*: 30 min. after
CLASS 2A REGION IV QUARTERFINALS
Weimar vs. Blanco
Game 1: Weimar 4, Blanco 0
Game 2: late Fri.
Game 3*: noon Sat. at Manor
Riviera vs. Bishop
Game 1: Riviera 5, Bishop 3
Game 2: late Fri.
Game 3*: TBA Sat. at Fairgrounds Field
Comfort 6, Rogers 5
Van Vleck vs. Danbury
Game 1: Danbury 7, Van Vleck 5
Game 2: late Fri.
Game 3*: TBA Sat. at Freeport
CLASS A REGION I QUARTERFINALS
Ira vs. Forsan
Game 1: Forsan 17, Ira 12
Game 2: 1 p.m. Sat. at Andrews
Game 3*: 30 min. after
Hamlin 4, Hamlin 3
Miles vs. Fort Hancock
Game 1: FH 6, Miles 5
Game 2: 1 p.m. Sat. at Crane
Game 3*: 30 min. after
Clarendon vs. Stamford
Game 1: Clarendon 1, Stamford 0
Game 2: 4 p.m. Sat. at Lubbock Chr.
Game 3: 30 min.a fter
CLASS A REGION II QUARTERFINALS
Dodd City vs. Blue Ridge
Game 1: late Fri.
Game 2: 1 p.m. Sat. at Al Alford Field
Game 3*: 30 min. after
Bosqueville vs. Dawson
Game 1: weather delayed - TBA
Game 2: 2 p.m. Sat. at Veteran’s Field
Game 3*: 30 min. after
Bland vs. Windthorst
Game 1: late Fri.
Game 2: noon Sat. at Dr Pepper Ballpark
Game 3*: 30 min. after
Meridian vs. Axtell
Game 1: Meridian 5, Axtell 1
Game 2: late Fri.
Game 3*: TBA Sat. at Clifton
CLASS A REGION III QUARTERFINALS
Overton vs. Cross Roads
Game 1: Overton 6, Cross Roads 5
Game 2: 7 p.m. Fri. at Jacksonville
Game 3*: TBA Sat..at Jacksonville
Evadale vs. Douglas
Game 1: 6 p.m. Thurs. at Huntington
Game 2: 1 p.m. Sat. at Huntington
Game 3*: 30 min. after
Cayuga vs. Wolfe City
Game 1: Cayuga 4, Wolfe City 2
Game 2: 1 p.m. Sat. at Van
Game 3*: 30 min. after
Chester vs. Lovelady, TBA
CLASS A REGION IV QUARTERFINALS
Flatonia vs. Thorndale
Game 1: Thorndale 2, Flatonia 0
Game 2: 7 p.m. Fri. at Taylor
Game 3*: TBA Sat at Taylor
Ben Bolt vs. D’Hanis, TBA
Riesel vs. Mart 7 p.m. Fri. at Lorena
LaPryor vs. Mason 7:30 p.m. Fri. at Bandera
* — if necessary
— Star-Telegram Staff
Posted:
Thursday, May 20, 2010 8:59:05 PM
Game 1 Final: Rider 4, Heights 1
Wichita Falls Rider took Game 1 of a Class 4A Region I quarterfinal series against Arlington Heights. Cameron Allen hit a two-run home run and pitched a complete game for Rider (32-6) in improving to 10-0. Heights (21-11) managed only three hits. Game 2 is at 7 Friday at Graham.
— Star-Telegram Staff
Posted:
Friday, May 14, 2010 3:46:21 PM
Site changes
Weatherford and Mansfield Legacy have changed the locations for their games tonight.
Weatherford will now begin their series against Lubbock Monterey at 7:30 p.m. tonight at Alpine HS. The game was originally scheduled for noon today. Game two is still tentatively scheduled for 11 a.m. tomorrow at the same location.
Mansfield Legacy will play game two of their series against Lake Dallas tonight at 7:30 at Southwest Christian HS. Lake Dallas will be home. Mansfield Legacy won game one yesterday 5-2.
— Paul Wessels
Posted:
Friday, May 14, 2010 3:43:03 PM
Birdville vs. Everman update
The two teams will play at 2 p.m. Saturday at Brewer HS and it will now be a one-game playoff. Everman will be the home team.
— Paul Wessels
Posted:
Friday, May 14, 2010 3:42:04 PM
Games waiting on weather
Arlington Martin, Southlake Carroll, Arlington Heights/Saginaw Boswell and Cleburne are all playing the waiting game with the weather. They will try to get their games in tonight, but might be postponing until tomorrow.
— Paul Wessels
Posted:
Tuesday, May 11, 2010 12:05:38 PM
Paschal to Lubbock for series with Coronado
Fort Worth Paschal will play its next playoff series in Lubbock. All three games against Coronado are scheduled at Coronado, beginning at 7 p.m. Friday. Game 2 is at noon Saturday, with Game 3 to follow 30 minutes later. Paschal is designated the home team for Game 2, and a flip will decide home and visitor for Game 3.
— Carlos Mendez
Posted:
Monday, May 03, 2010 6:41:27 PM
Bowie 7, Arlington 3 (susp.) bottom of 4
The 4-5A fourth place playoff game between Arlington and Bowie will have to wait another day to be decided.
Bowie has a 7-3 lead in the bottom of the fourth when rain forced the teams to pause for the day.
The game will resume at 4 p.m. Tuesday at Arlington Martin. The winner of the game will face Burleson in the bi-district round of the 5A playoffs.
— Paul Wessels
Posted:
Monday, May 03, 2010 10:19:03 AM
Paschal-Summit series set
Fort Worth Paschal and Mansfield Summit have set their first-round 5A Region I series. Game 1 will be at 7:30 Thursday at Paschal, Game 2 will be at 7:30 Friday at Summit, and Game 3, if needed, will be at 1 Saturday at TCU or Paschal. TCU is the first choice, with Paschal as the backup if the university diamond is unavailable.
— Carlos Mendez
Posted:
Monday, May 03, 2010 10:16:29 AM
Southwest-Crowley series set
Fort Worth Southwest and Crowley have set their first round 4A Region I series. Game 1 will be at 7 p.m. Thursday at Southwest, Game 2 will be at 7 Friday at Crowley and Game 3, if needed, will be at 1 Saturday at Southwest. Last season, Crowley won a one-game playoff against Southwest.
For one of the coaches in this series, it will be the last game of their careers. Southwest's Mike Thompson and Crowley's Mark Jones are both retiring.
— Carlos Mendez
Posted:
Tuesday, April 13, 2010 10:24:39 PM
Mansfield 10, Summit 4 (F)
A costly Summit error opened the scoring gates for Mansfield in the sixth inning, with the Tigers scoring five runs to take a commanding 9-2 lead.
Mansfield (18-7, 5-3 District 4-5A) had two outs when the error occurred, and the batters settled into a groove, swinging into singles and doubles in building the lead. Daniel Green and Michael Miller had a RBI in the inning.
"They helped us out a little bit on a couple of missed plays, and you are lucky to get that once in a while," said Mansfield coach Gary Vaughan. "We were fortunate enough for that to go our way tonight."
Summit (10-13, 4-3 District 4-5A) put up a small rally in the bottom of the sixth inning, scoring twice to cut the game to 9-4. Mansfield scored again in the top of the seventh, then Jared Reed struck out the side to end the game.
— Brian Hernalsteen
Posted:
Wednesday, March 17, 2010 1:17:52 PM
Game changes
Two District 7-4A games have changed sites or times. Here are the new details:
Eastern Hills and Western Hills will play at 7 Wednesday at Arlington Heights.
Southwest will now host Wyatt at 1 p.m. Thursday.
— Star-Telegram Staff
Posted:
Tuesday, March 16, 2010 1:37:26 PM
7-4A schedule adjusts
Here is the schedule for Wednesday's District 7-4A games:
Trimble Tech at Arlington Heights, 1 p.m. Wednesday
Eastern Hills at Western Hills, 2 p.m. Wednesday
South Hills at Wyatt, 1 p.m. Wednesday
Dunbar at Polytechnic, 1 p.m. Wednesday
North Side at Southwest, 1 p.m. Friday
Tuesday's game between Eastern Hills and Diamond Hill-Jarvis was postponed and will be rescheduled for April.
— Carlos Mendez
Posted:
Monday, March 15, 2010 12:14:23 PM
Four-inning no-hitter for DHJ
Brian Martinez of Diamond Hill-Jarvis had a good week last week. He threw a four-inninig no-hitter against Dallas Madison, although an error was committed behind him. Martinez is beginning to emerge as one of the Eagles' best players. The team played a game against Carter-Riverside on Monday.
— Carlos Mendez
Posted:
Tuesday, March 09, 2010 9:42:06 PM
Birdville pitcher throws no-no
Paul Hendrix didn't allow a hit and struck out 14 batters in Birdville's 4-0 win over Azle.
— Paul Wessels
Posted:
Monday, February 22, 2010 4:21:24 PM
Aledo anxious for season
With three returning starting pitchers, Aledo garnered recognition going into this season by ranking 8th in the preseason poll.
So, not surprisingly, the Bearcats hope to ride senior right-hander Ryan Talley and senior left-handers Austin Vassberg and Calvin Loftis all season.
“Because we have those kids back, this season is definitely intriguing,” Aledo coach Ryan McCurley said. “Those three pitchers accounted for 98 percent of our district and playoff innings, so we look good from a pitching standpoint.”
Offensively, the Bearcats will need a good year from senior outfielder Nils Smith, as the team lost seven starters from last year.
— Drew Davison
Posted:
Monday, February 22, 2010 4:15:11 PM
FW Arlington Heights in no rush to start
While most teams can start playing games Feb. 22, Fort Worth Arlington Heights won’t start its season until March 4.
“I don’t see any urgency in playing games in February,” coach Tommy Elliott said. “In other words, I’m in no hurry to play non-district games if we can play in another tournament. And we also get two extra scrimmages this way.”
As far as the team going into the season, Elliott likes his returning starters, including second baseman/ shortstop Kevin Conrad and outfielder/ shortstop Steven Redfield. The biggest question surrounding the Yellow Jackets, however, is their pitching staff after Max Smith injured his elbow last fall.
“It’s just an unknown entity,” Elliott said of his pitching staff. “We like the guys we have, so it’s really a good news-bad news type of deal.”
— Drew Davison
Posted:
Monday, February 22, 2010 4:08:54 PM
FW Southwest looks to bounce back
Last year, Fort Worth Southwest lost its first game of the season and its last one, falling to Crowley in the first round of the Class 4A playoffs.
This year, however, the Raiders hope to make a deeper run in the postseason with senior first baseman Tyler Ervine, junior left-hander/ outfielder Brandon Finnegan and junior shortstop Austen Williams all returning.
“So far, there have been bright spots and dull spots,” coach Mike Thompson said. “Hopefully, we can iron out the dull ones. I thought we have played pretty well in our scrimmages and we’re ready for the season.”
— Drew Davison
Posted:
Monday, February 22, 2010 4:04:04 PM
Birdville looking to rebuild
For the past two years, Birdville has had one of the most talented Class 4A rosters in the area, with several players moving on to play at the next level.
This year, though, the Hawks return only two starters in shortstop Paul Hendrix and catcher Preston Ponder.
“We’re going to be a young team in age and experience,” Birdville coach David Hatcher said. “It’s going to be a challenge for us and a totally new year.”
— Drew Davison
Posted:
Monday, February 22, 2010 4:00:18 PM
Martin has loaded roster
Arlington Martin might have the best returning group of any team in the area. The Warriors, who finished 26-7 last year, return right-hander Tony Rizzotti, a TCU signee, centerfielder Brian Ragira, a Stanford signee, shorstop Ryan Walker, a UT-Arlington signee, and right-hander Tyler Wilhelm, their No. 2 starter from last year.
Still, Martin coach Curt Culbertson knows his team needs to develop at least one more starting pitcher, as well as getting more consistent on offense.
“It’s definitely important to start the season with those two [top pitchers], but we’re not going to survive with only those two,” Culbertson said. “We’re tyring to get some other kids ready, but we are pretty strong on the mound and pretty strong on defense. Our offense is a little inconsistent, though.”
— Drew Davison
Posted:
Monday, February 22, 2010 3:53:12 PM
Mansfield expects learning curve
The Mansfield Tigers return one of the top players in the area with catcher Michael Miller coming back, but that’s about it. The Tigers begin the year with several unknowns at various positions, however, coach Gary Vaughan expects the team to contend for the District 4-5A title once district-play comes around.
“We still have some question marks in positions between now and the district season, but I think we’re capable of growing up and getting that experience,” Vaughan said.
— Drew Davison
Posted:
Monday, February 22, 2010 3:47:33 PM
Same expectations at Carroll
When asked how his team looked going into the season, Southlake Carroll coach Larry Hughes simply said: “They look good.”
Indeed, the Dragons look good heading into the season with high expectations, especially with right-hander Sean O’Connor highlighting what should be a deep rotation.
“Our No. 1 goal is to win the state championship and you can’t do that if you don’t get into the playoffs,” Hughes said. “That’s how we prepare for everything. But we only have three returning starters so I don’t know how our team will respond.”
Carroll did suffer a setback in August, when starter Thomas Altimont was lost for the season with Tommy John-elbow ligament surgery. Still, the Dragons return a solid core returning, including O’Connor, as well as infielder Tommy Avers and outfielder Jake Havens.
— Drew Davison