It's time to examine the imminent matchups taking place this week, in the UIL Baseball State Tournament.
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Pearland Oilers vs. Flower Mound Jaguars
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
This clash is likely the most highly-anticipated of the week, considering it is a rematch of last year's UIL-6A State Final, in which Flower Mound edged out the Oilers by the score of 6-4.
Given that fact, Pearland (36-8-2) has been eager to settle the score all Spring, and they'll have the opportunity to do so at Dell Diamond this Friday (4:00 pm).
Not much more can be said of the threat that junior SS Nico Partida (Arizona State-commit) poses. He impressive knowledge of the five tools can make him a nightmare for opposing teams, evidenced by his .421 batting average and ridiculous range on defense.
When Partida isn't pitching, coach David Rogers turns to his reliable studs in the bull-pen -- namely Jake Mader-Cooper (Rice) and Jaden Barfield (Oklahoma).
Furthermore, Jordan Hernandez (Jr. OF), Damian Landry (Sr. IF), John Moya (Sr. OF), Logan Johnson (Jr. IF), and Rice-signee Isaiah Castaneda (Sr. OF) round out one of the most efficient lineups in the state.
On the Flower Mound-side, the Jags (40-5) are led by Texas State-signee Josh Glaser (Sr. P/IF), Sam Erickson (Sr. OF), Cody Brady (Sr. IF), Adrian Rodriguez (Sr. IF), Garrett Wallace (Sr. OF), and senior catcher Zane Becker.
Tomball Cougars vs. SA Johnson Jaguars
Doug Brown (VYPE)
Following their sweep against Bridgeland last week, the Cougars (39-3) advance to the state tourney for the first time since 2015, with the ambition of claiming the program's first title since their 2013 campaign.
The No. 1 ranked team in Texas (MaxPreps) has been seemingly unstoppable in 2024, as they're 10-0 in the postseason, which is a testament to the talent that coach Doug Rush has optimized.
It all starts with senior catcher Cade Arrambide (LSU-signee), who commands the defense from behind the plate, while being equally imposing at-bat (.430 average).
He is complemented in the lineup by Blaine Lucas (Sr. IF), Cooper Hansen (Sr. OF), Bryce Hillegeist (Sr. IF), and Coleman Ryan (Sr. IF), just to name a few, while Tomball's pitching corps -- headlined by sophomores C.J. Sampson (13-0) and Karson Reeder (12-1) -- continues to be a strong-suit for the Coogs.
They'll look to keep their win-streak (28) intact when facing SA Johnson (33-11) this Friday (7:00 pm) at Dell Diamond.
Magnolia West Mustangs vs. Lucas Lovejoy Leopards
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
In a rematch of last year's Region III-5A Final, Magnolia West completed a definitive sweep (Game 1: 8-1, Game 2: 10-3) over familiar district opponent Lake Creek.
Now, the Mustangs (26-14-1) have the chance to become back-to-back UIL-5A champs, when they take to Dell Diamond later this week.
Coach Travis Earles and the "Dirt Boys" embody a mentality of toughness, which has been made perfectly clear throughout their undefeated (10-0) postseason thus far.
They're propelled by the efforts of Texas State-signee Dawson Park (Sr. IF/P), Carson Dunway (Jr. OF), Cody Palacios (Jr. OF), Trey Jeanes (Sr. DH/IF), Lukas Huff (So. IF), Connor Bostain (Sr/ P/IF), and Caldwell McFaddin (Jr. IF).
Expect Mag West to cap off the Spring season with a bang, starting with their matchup against Lucas Lovejoy, this Thursday (4:00 pm).
