GAMES
RANKINGS
McClane Helton of Cy Woods Baseball
THE FIRST PITCH: Top H-Town clashes in opening round of UIL Baseball Playoffs
Klein Cain Hurricanes vs. Bridgeland Bears
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
Klein Cain (22-7; 11-3 in district) enters the postseason, following a second-place finish in District 15-6A, behind only Tomball (12-0).
The No. 5 team in our pre-playoff rankings has cemented itself as one of the top competitors in H-Town and looks to maintain that distinction when they face off against Bridgeland in the opening round.
Coach Neil Wisener has a multitude of weapons to utilize on the diamond, whether it be Blaine Bullard (.355 BA, 29 RBI, 29 R, 6 HR), Cooper McEnroe (.500 BA, 17 RBI, 18 R, 3 HR), Coleman McBride (.415 BA, 10 RBI, 12 R), or Carlo Almendarez (.393 BA, 27 RBI, 27 R, 3 HR).
The Hurricanes will be tasked with facing a tough opponent to begin the playoffs, however.
Bridgeland (24-9; 10-4 in district) is as formidable as they come, having taken bronze in a relentless District 16-6A.
The Bears, coached by Paul Orlando, are headlined by Benjamin Barrera, Miles Syptak, Austin Glasscock, Jake Webb, and Josh Livingston, among others.
On paper, these two clubs are evenly matched. However, whoever emerges victorious from this series will surely be deemed a potential contender for Region II.
GAME 1: Wednesday (7:00 pm) @ Klein Cain HS
GAME 2: Thursday (7:00 pm) @ Bridgeland HS
GAME 3 (If needed): Friday (4:30 pm) @ Klein Cain HS
Justin Hartojo (VYPE)
Dobie Longhorns vs. Summer Creek Bulldogs
Doug Brown (VYPE)
The 2024 District 22-6A runner-ups -- Dobie (18-6-3) -- are locked in and primed to surpass last year's mark of reaching the UIL Area Round.
Nothing comes easy in the playoffs, but it appears that coach Miguel Torres and co. are prepared for that, given the level of competition they face on annual basis.
Junior pitcher Aiden Sanchez has played a starring role in the Longhorns' success thus far, as he continues to be efficient from the mound.
San Jacinto-signee Arnulfo Orozco, Antonio Hernandez, Cruz Torres, and Juelz Martinez round out a scary-good Dobie lineup, which will undoubtedly come to play in Round No. 1.
However, Summer Creek has some firepower of their own, with University of Texas-bound Donovan Jordan & William Hill in the fold.
The Bulldogs finished third in District 21-6A, behind Kingwood and Atascocita, but still pose a major threat to any opponent they're likely to face in the postseason.
After bowing out against Clear Falls in the Area Round of the 2023 playoffs, coach DJ Wilson will look to his play-makers -- including the aforementioned Jordan and Hill, as well as Brandin Holland, Kade Odom, and Caleb Mize -- to surpass last year's mark.
GAME 1: Thursday (7:00 pm) @ Summer Creek HS
GAME 2: Friday (4:00 pm) @ Maguire Field
GAME 3 (If needed): Saturday (12:00 pm) @ C.E. King HS
Doug Brown (VYPE)
Cypress Woods Wildcats vs. Klein Oak Panthers
Justin Hartojo (VYPE)
After several of their major pieces graduated once they reached State in 2023, there were few who gave Cy Woods a second thought at repeating that effort this Spring.
Well, that has evidently motivated the Wildcats baseball program, to the tune of going 22-8-1 thus far and taking silver within District 16-6A.
Senior McClane Helton (McLennan-signee) is the spark that ignites coach Phil Schwarz's talented roster, with the likes of Jack Kempner, Wyatt Wimberly, Joshua Vasquesz, and J.T. Darden, and Cameron Neumann efficiently complementing him.
Cypress Woods may have felt as if they had something to prove throughout the regular season. But, now they look to take that a step further in the postseason when they clash with Klein Oak.
The Panthers (20-11-1) finished third in District 15-6A, and might have a chip on their shoulder as well.
Coach Bo Hernandez will look to his seniors, including Texas-signee Matt Scott, Gage Kooyers, Austin Hardy, EJ Garcia, Makoy Stone, Tanner Cooper, and Reed Osborne to provide the necessary experience, as Klein Oak embarks on their playoff journey this Thursday.
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
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