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Batter Up!: Warriors Baseball Primed to Compete
TWCA BASEBALL RETURNS TO THE DIAMOND THIS SPRING WITH AMBITIONS OF REACHING THE TAPPS POSTSEASON AND GETTING HOT AT THE RIGHT TIME.
Following a 2022 season that saw them reach the Area Round of the TAPPS postseason, the Warriors are hungry for more.
This year, they won’t settle for a fourth-place spot in a division that features the reigningTAPPS-II State Champs Second Baptist School, as well as annual contenders Lutheran South Academy and Fort Bend Christian Academy.
Coach Brett Cleveland anticipates that this team will do more than just put up a fight.
“I expect that we’ll be able to pitch and play defense well,” said Cleveland. “We lost quite a bit of thunder in our batting order with our seniors graduating, so trying to replace those guys is going to be the challenge for now..."
"We have some younger guys who are going to step up, so we’ll be ready for that challenge. Due to the realignment, there are two new teams in the district that will make it even tougher. That will make for a fun district season, and the battle for the playoffs is going to be interesting. I think we’ll be in the mix for that.”
TWCA's Chase FuentesBradley C. Collier (VYPE)
This year’s TWCA baseball team will feature several key returning players, namely a set of second-team, all-district honorees — junior catcher Chase Fuentes and seniors Jaden Scrushy (IF), Augie Anderson (1B) and Drew Yeary (IF). There’s nothing like Spring ball and the Warriors are ready for it.
“For me, I’m most looking forward to seeing the guys compete,” Cleveland said. “From practices to games, just the grind of the season, it’s a joy to watch them get after it every day. I think we have a chance this year to be as good as we’ve ever been, as soon as we get it all put together.”
FUELED BY THE FEELING: TWCA Avenging 2021 Lost State Opportunity
THE WOODLANDS CHRISTIAN ACADEMY LOST A HEART-BREAKER IN THE TAPPS DIVISION II STATE SEMIFINALS 1-0 TO EVENTUAL CHAMPION LUTHERAN SOUTH. IT WAS A TOUGH WAY TO SAY GOODBYE TO THE LIKES OF CAEDMON PARKER (TCU), PAYTON MOSER, CHRISTIAN BERGER, AUSTIN BOYD AND BRYCE BURTON AMONG OTHERS.
That loss has fueled the Warriors going into 2022.
“When it happened, I told the returners to remember the feeling,” coach Brett Cleveland said. “When we worked all fall, we worked with that memory in our minds.”
Cleveland returns some serious talent and senior leaders in catcher Marshall Hale, outfielder Carson Queck (Kansas State-signee) and lefty Nolan Newcomb.
“We will be pretty good on offense and defense, but our biggest question mark will be on the mound,” Cleveland said. “We are going to get a bunch of kids some reps before district play and see who emerges.”
Ryan Lovell, Dane LeMaster, Hale and Queck will all get innings and pitch by committee. Chase Fuentes and move-in Arrington Eason (Grambling Statesignee) will also be names to look for this Spring.
The district will be tough with defending champs Lutheran South, Second Baptist School and Fort Bend Christian Academy all vying for the district title, but the Warriors will be a favorite.