GAMES
RANKINGS
VYPE 2022 Baseball Preview: No.2 Tompkins Falcons
With a loaded lineup that is now senior-heavy, this may be the year for Tompkins, after reaching the Regional Semis before falling to Strake Jesuit, to take that next step – State.
The Falcons are loaded. Jace LaViolette is a 6-foot-5 outfielder/pitcher, who can crush the ball. The all-state star has signed to Texas A&M and has some serious talent.
Jack Little (Wichita State) is an all-state, corner defender, while Cash Russell (Temple JC) is a senior leader in the middle-infield. Solomon Rotberg (Erskine College) is a crafty lefty and Michael DeBattista is an ace from the right side, so pitching will be a strength.
Junior Landon West (Rice) will call balls and strikes behind the plate and is strong with the lumber. Up the middle is first-team, all-state junior Drew Markle (Ole Miss), who could carry the team along with LaViolette.
Also, watch out for Trevor Esparza on the mound, who is signed to Tyler JC. The expectations will be high and coach Kyle Humphreys will need to manage all this talent, which can be harder than expected. They are no longer the hunters, but the hunted.
VYPE 2022 Baseball Preview: No. 5 Grand Oaks Grizzlies
Who are these guys? The Grizzlies?
Well, Grand Oaks made some noise in 2021, advancing to the Regionals Semis under the direction of coach Lou Ferrell. The Grizzlies won District 13-6A, which has been previously dominated by The Woodlands, Oak Ridge and College Park, and punched their ticket to its first playoff appearance a year ago.
The ace in 2022 will be junior Hudson Hamilton (University Texas), who went 5-1 in 2021. He is also solid at first base and at the plate. Middle infielder Larry Drake (Rice) is the district’s returning first-teamer at shortstop. Drake is the leading hitter and also doubles on the mound.
Zackery Martinez (Wharton JC) is a tremendous table-setter at the top of the lineup and Sebastian Harden (Coastal Alabama) is pretty clutch with the bat. Noah O’Farrell (Sam Houston), Connor Kelley (Paris JC), Brayden Haranda and Daniel Collins will all play bigger roles this season.
“We are going to utilize the experience we gained in our first full varsity season and grow the tradition,” Ferrell said.
