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Rockwall-Heath baseball players celebrate after a run crosses the plate in the 2021 UIL Class 6A State Title game against Keller (2021).
STATE SEMIFINALS PREVIEW: Defending State Champs, Rockwall-Heath, is back in the state tournament
It's one thing to be a great baseball team- it's another to make multiple state appearances. Last season, Rockwall-Heath made great strides against Keller in order to become the UIL Class 6A State Champion team. This season, the Hawks have put in the work to make their return to the biggest stage in Texas High School baseball. VYPE DFW takes a look at the team's season and lays out just what fans can expect in the UIL Class 6A State Semifinals.
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A Look Back
This season the Hawks posted an incredible 12-0 undefeated district record (32-6 overall). The team has played strong and kept their same level of strength from last season- channeling bigger moments for the team. So far in playoffs, Rockwall-Heath has battled against Garland, Mansfield Lake Ridge, Naaman Forest, Oak Ridge, and most recently- cross-town rival Rockwall. En route to the state tournament, the Hawks have outscored their opponents by a combined 196 runs.
Who To Watch
The defense has continued to be incredible behind pitchers Baylor Baumann and Johnny Lowe. Baumann has a 9-1 record on the mound this season with a 1.60 ERA while Lowe has an 11-1 record on the mound this season with a 1.24 ERA. In over 153 innings, Baumann and Lowe have combined for 181 strikeouts. Jett Williams, projected first-round draft pick and Mississippi State signee, leads the Hawks at the plate with 13 home runs this season and a .404 average. Williams has scored 53 runs this season. Brady Ladusau (.328), Alex Stowers (.323), and Caleb Hoover (.308) all lead the lineup with powerful hitting.
What To Expect
Rockwall-Heath is on the hunt for their third state title- second in a row. The team has gone 4-0 in their state tournament appearances and will likely not end such a great streak. However, the Hawks are going to face off against an intelligent San Antonio Reagan (32-6-2) sqaud who is known for keeping up with the best of the best. Fans can expect decisive fielding from both teams, but with the power at the plate for the Hawks, it's not likely that we will see Rockwall-Heath bow out of the tournament in the semifinals.
The game is expected to begin at 7 p.m. on Friday, June 10 at Dell Diamond in Round Rock, Texas.
Rockwall-Heath baseball poses with their first-place medals and championship trophy (6/12/2021)
Rockwall-Heath baseball: State Champions (PHOTO GALLERY)
Rockwall-Heath has a lot to be proud of after finishing the season as the best in UIL Class 6A Texas baseball. After posting huge district wins over the likes of North Mesquite, Horn, Rockwall, and more the Hawks shut down playoff opponent after playoff opponent en route to the UIL Class 6A State Title Game.
Defeating Keller by a score of 4-3, the Rockwall-Heath Hawks were able to secure the baseball program's second state title; their first one coming in 2012. Heath finishes the season with a 37-11 overall record and a state title.
