GAMES
RANKINGS
LSA's Marcus Cantu
THE PLAYMAKERS: H-Town's Heavy-Hitters powered by UTMB Health
Here are the UTMB Baseball Athletes of the Week, as we enter the thick of District-play this Spring.
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Garritt Romero -- Dawson Baseball
Jamey Wright (VYPE)
After a relatively slow start to the season, Dawson has found its rhythm in district play, surging to a perfect 5-0 start in 22-6A. The Eagles continued their dominance on Saturday with a commanding 9-3 victory over Shadow Creek.
While Dawson’s offense has been productive—highlighted by Jack Dyment (.415 BA, 13 RBI, 1 HR), Aiden Villanueva (.273 BA, 4 RBI), and Maddox Botas (.250 BA, 4 RBI)—it’s their pitching staff that has truly set them apart.
At the forefront of that effort is ace Garritt Romero (Centenary College-commit), who has delivered in multiple ways. On the mound, he boasts a 4-0 record with a 1.93 ERA and 24 strikeouts, while also contributing at the plate with a .233 average and five RBIs.
Competing in 22-6A is no easy task, but if Dawson maintains this momentum, they could be a serious challenger to Pearland for the district title.
Nico Partida -- Pearland Baseball
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
Picking up right where they left off after last season’s UIL 6A State Final appearance, Pearland has carried that momentum into the spring, posting a strong 12-5 record through the first wave of district play (4-1).
As expected, the heartbeat of this Oilers squad has been none other than Nicholas “Nico” Partida.
The Texas A&M-commit bleeds aura wherever he’s placed—whether commanding the infield from his home at shortstop, taking the mound, or stepping up to the plate and making opposing pitchers think twice before throwing him a breaking ball.
Partida leads the Oilers with an elite .512 batting average, while also tallying 15 RBIs and three home runs so far this season.
Critics may question whether Pearland can replicate last year’s success, but as long as Partida is in the mix, the Oilers remain a legitimate threat to make another deep postseason run come June.
Marcus Cantu -- Lutheran South Academy Baseball
Jamey Wright (VYPE)
Under the leadership of coach Aaron Schneider, Lutheran South Academy has stormed through the early season with an impressive 18-1-1 record, earning them the No. 2 ranking in Texas, according to MaxPreps.
LSA was already recognized as a powerhouse before the spring, boasting elite talent like LSU commit Omar Serna (Sr. C) and Texas State-bound Victor Coronado.
However, this year’s squad seems determined to avenge last season’s Regional Final loss to Kelly Catholic and take things a step further.
While the Pioneers have no shortage of star power, the most consistent offensive presence thus far has been junior Marcus Cantu. A Texas-commit himself, Cantu has been a steady force both at the plate and on defense, providing reliability in key moments.
If LSA keeps up this level of dominance, a TAPPS-5A State Title might not just be a goal—it could be an expectation.
Hunter Heath -- Clear Springs Baseball
Thanks to a strong core of returning talent, the Clear Springs Chargers have picked up right where they left off after last season’s Regional Semifinal run.
The team has surged to an 11-5-1 record this spring and opened district play in dominant fashion, sweeping Clear Brook (Game 1: 2-1, Game 2: 9-2).
While the Chargers' bullpen has been solid, their clutch hitting has been a driving force behind their early success.
Leading the charge at the plate has been senior Hunter Heath, whose standout performance against 5A powerhouse Barbers Hill (4-4, 2B, HR, 2 RBI) helped propel Clear Springs to an 8-3 victory last week.
Primarily stationed at third base, Heath also provides versatility across the infield and is more than capable of stepping up on the mound when needed. Furthermore, his all-around reliability ultimately earned him a commitment to Galveston College.
With plenty of baseball left in the regular season, Clear Springs looks poised to secure another postseason berth.
Noah Nelson -- Santa Fe Baseball
Doug Brown (VYPE)
The Indians opened district play on a high note with a 3-1 victory over Angleton this past Friday, improving their record to 7-5 on the season.
While their overall record may not stand out, it doesn’t truly reflect the level of talent Santa Fe brings to the diamond.
The Indians have already faced elite competition, including defending 6A state champion Tomball, SPC-4A runner-up Episcopal, Katy Tompkins, and TAPPS-III state runner-up Bay Area Christian.
Those tough matchups should have them well-prepared to compete for the District 20-5A title.
Among the various weapons in coach Ronnie Wulf’s threatening lineup, the most consistent is Noah Nelson.
The junior OF/RHP boasts a .500 batting average, leading the team with 19 hits while also tallying 12 RBIs, nine doubles, one triple, and a home run—all in just 40 plate appearances.
Nelson is complemented by key contributors like Ronnie Rouse (.343 BA, 13 RBI, 6 2B, 1 HR), Jackson Higgins (.342 BA, 9 RBI, 5 2B, 1 3B, 1 HR), and Jayce Richardson (.345 BA, 7 RBI, 4 2B, 2 HR), rounding out a well-balanced lineup.
Santa Fe has its sights set on surpassing last year’s run to the Regional Semifinals, but first, they’ll have to navigate a competitive district slate featuring Iowa Colony, Friendswood, and La Porte.
Tomball's C.J. Sampson & Cade Arrambide
AWARD SZN: 2024 All-VYPE Baseball Teams powered by Houston Methodist Orthopedics & Sports Medicine
Furthermore, teams such as Magnolia West, Bridgeland, Cy-Fair, Lake Creek, Clear Springs, Willis, Memorial, Friendswood, and Santa Fe were among the multitude of H-Town clubs to enjoy lengthy runs in the postseason.
In the private school sector, Second Baptist claimed their seventh TAPPS-II championship, with their 10-7 victory against Southwest Christian, while St. John’s went on to win their first-ever SPC state title after edging out Episcopal by the score of 6-4.
Other notable ball-clubs from 2024 include Concordia Lutheran, Cypress Christian, Kinkaid, St. Pius X, Lutheran South Academy, Houston Christian, and St. Thomas.
That being said, check out the 2024 All-VYPE Baseball Teams presented by Houston Methodist Orthopedics & Sports MedicineALL-VYPE TEAM PHOTO GALLERY: Nico Partida -- Pearland
Matthew Ogle (VYPE)
All-VYPE Public School Baseball Teams
FIRST-TEAM
Nico Partida, Pearland
Cade Arrambide, Tomball
Dawson Park, Magnolia West
Isaac Robles, Cy-Fair
Benjamin Barrera, Bridgeland
Will Van Wie, Memorial
Braylon Payne, FB Elkins
Matt Scott, Klein Oak
Sam Lee, Lake Creek
Connor Udland, Katy
Dane Perry, Friendswood
Kaden McCoy, Atascocita
David Ramirez, Clear Falls
Karson Reeder, Tomball
Maddox Keo, Willis
Aidan Morgan, Oak Ridge
Ryan Hernandez, Clear Springs
Lucas Franco, Cinco Ranch
SECOND-TEAM
McClane Helton, Cy Woods
Caden Schindler, Clear Creek
Weston Riddle, Bridgeland
Lucas Dunn, Santa Fe
C.J. Sampson, Tomball
Cole Joyner, Memorial
John “Bubba” Moya, Pearland
A.J. Atkinson, Katy
Josh Arquette, Kingwood
Brock DeYoung, Cinco Ranch
Trey Jeanes, Magnolia West
Tristan Patterson, Deer Park
Parker Smith, Lake Creek
Austin Godwin, Cy-Fair
Blaine Lucas, Tomball
Erich Daigle, The Woodlands
William Hill, Summer Creek
Blake Encarnacion, Friendswood
THIRD-TEAM
Walker Hurst, Pearland
Makoy Stone, Klein Oak
Mason Dutton, Willis
Catcher Hopkins, Tomball
Carlo Almendarez, Klein Cain
Chase Batten, Foster
Caden Baker, Stratford
Sutton Hull, Katy
Miles Syptak, Bridgeland
Peyton Adams, Friendswood
Ty Powell, Fulshear
Carson Sydnor, Lake Creek
Jaden Barfield, Pearland
Blake Heckman, Kingwood Park
Brandon Lang, Cypress Ranch
Aiden Sanchez, Dobie
Braden Castle, Santa Fe
Coleman Ryan, Tomball
Honorable Mention
Gavin Brewer, Tompkins
Cam Neumann, Cy Woods
Ashton Bassett, Magnolia
Bryce Krenek, Katy Taylor
Eric Daigle, The Woodlands
Tyler Ryden, Clear Springs
Cody Palacios, Magnolia West
Jack McKernan, Ridge Point
Austin Marlin, Barbers Hill
Jake Mader-Cooper, Pearland
Jackson Babcock, Clear Creek
Dylan Rostron, Cy-Fair
Tanner Cooper, Klein Oak
Cooper Williams, Alvin
Jordan Toups, Aldine
Kade Eudy, Crosby
Braeden Scherzer, Tomball
Fredy Romero, Milby
Parker Blackman, Grand Oaks
Cade Adams, Pearland
Jaxon McKnight, Atascocita
Jake Earnest, Memorial
Caldwell McFaddin, Magnolia West
Jonathan Juarez, Klein Collins
…
All-VYPE Private School Baseball Teams
FIRST-TEAM
Nolan Traeger, Concordia Lutheran
Wes Baker, Second Baptist
Carson Luna, St. John’s
Casan Evans, St. Pius X
Drew Mestayer, Cypress Christian
Omar Serna, Lutheran South Academy
Preston Sullivan, Episcopal
Donte Lewis, St. Thomas
Jacob Newsom, Bay Area Christian
John D. Mitchell, St. John XXIII
Richie Klosek, Kinkaid
Eoghan Collins, Concordia Lutheran
Seth Perkins, Houston Christian
Alexander Yearwood, St. Pius X
Sam Chase, St. John’s
Maddux El-Hakam, St. Francis Episcopal
SECOND-TEAM
Roland Aguillon, Lutheran South Academy
Jacob Lukaszewski, Cypress Christian
Logan Almeida, Episcopal
Connor Jones, Concordia Lutheran
Aiden Schmidt, St. John XXIII
Carson Bratcher, Second Baptist
Will Jackson, Houston Christian
Tristan Smaistrla, St. Pius X
Walker Dellinger, St. John’s
Jaylen Walker, Lutheran South Academy
Caleb Kimble, St. Thomas
Beckett Swinney, Cypress Christian
Ronin McCraw, Concordia Lutheran
Park Kotlarz, Episcopal
Cooper Schmidt, St. John XXIII
Benjamin Kalife, Second Baptist
Honorable Mention
Isaac Ly, Kinkaid
Easton Dean, St. Pius X
Landon McKenna, FBCA
Luke Dalke, Logos Prep
Brandon Williams, Cypress Christian
Tyler Dunham, TWCA
Nolan Hughes, St. John’s
Grant Burns, Lutheran South Academy
Cole Lanclos, Concordia Lutheran
Braden Comstock, St. Thomas
Ty Blevins, Episcopal
Logan Witt, St. John XXIII
Jace Trozzo, Second Baptist
Chase Fuentes, TWCA