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STATE SEMIFINALS: Flower Mound Jaguars hunt for a repeat
With only four losses this season, the reigning state champions are making their way back to the state tournament where they look to repeat this season. Flower Mound has put in the work and they're reaping the rewards as they prepare to take on Pearland in the UIL Class 6A Baseball State Semifinals. VYPE DFW takes a look at their season and what fans can expect moving forward:
So Far
The likes of Garrett Wallace, Adrian Rodriguez, Wes Brown, Cody Brady, Adam Hawrylak, Sam Distel, Josh Glaser, Zane Becker, and other talented athletes began Flower Mound's hunt for a repeat early in non-district play as the team secured victories over tough opponents including Barbe, Opelousas Catholic, Gulfport, Arlington, Keller, Wylie, Aledo, Frisco Lone Star, and more. As they sharpened their skills and prepared for their district schedule, it was clear that there was going to be nothing that could possibly stand in the way of their goals this season.
In district play, the team went undefeated with a 14-0 record and a top-of-the-standings finish in their district. Victories over Flower Mound Marcus, Plano, Plano West, Lewisville, Coppell, and more powered their motivation and fire when inching toward postseason play. With determination, the team waltzed into the playoffs and took down Little Elm (7-1, 6-4), Dallas Jesuit (3-1, 10-0), Prosper (1-0, 5-3), Keller (1-6, 2-1, 10-4), and, most recently, Richardson's JJ Pearce (5-4, 0-3, 6-2) in order to punch their ticket back to the state tournament and continue their mission.
What to Expect
The team is searching for their third title in their fifth appearance at the state tournament. With titles in 2014 and 2023, the Jaguars are already used to this level of play and can be expected to play at their very best from the moment they step foot onto the diamond until the final moments of the last inning. Looking to take down Pearland, the team can be expected to bring the heat at the plate, but also remain focused and cohesive as a defensive unit. Pearland boasts a 36-8 record and can be expected to be one of the biggest challenges Flower Mound has seen so far this season. Remaining determined should help power the team to the state finals in Round Rock, Texas!
STATE SEMIFINALS: Gunter enters 10th appearance at UIL State
With another successful season almost nearly wrapped up, the Gunter Tigers baseball team is set for the program's 10th appearance at UIL State-- third in four seasons. As they gear up to take on Franklin in the state semifinals, VYPE DFW takes a look at the team and what fans can expect moving forward:
So Far
Ready to put hard work to the test right out of the gate this season, Gunter went on a 15-game win streak through non-district play against other programs who have their own reputations in the area. Downing the likes of Prosper, Panther Creek, Kimball, Aubrey, Denison, North Garland, and others through their non-district schedule, athletes like Walker Overman, Brock Boddie, Cade Dodson, Colson Wood, Brooks Griggs-Bell, Jarrett Waggoner, Carter Layton, Jordan Villagrana, Jake Ivey, and others made sure that they were prepared for a district schedule that had the potential to challenge them.
With no doubt and zero hesitation, the Gunter Tigers shut out teams in eight of their 12 district matchups while posting an undefeated 12-0 district record; finishing at the top of their district standings. Defeating Bells, Leonard, Pottsboro, Howe, Blue Ridge, and more in dominating fashion helped the Tigers finish their regular season without a single loss against their opponents and head into the postseason on a high note.
With their only loss coming in the postseason, the Tigers have been able to play with resiliency and strength as they took down Grand Saline (16-3, 11-0), Ponder (1-0), Edgewood (3-0, 1-2, 4-0), Tatum (9-2), and Boyd (3-1, 3-2) before punching their ticket to the state tournament for the 10th time.
What To Expect
Gearing up to play against Franklin should prove to be a feat that the Tigers are up to. Franklin boasts a 33-5 overall record this season with tough athletes like Blake Autrey, Dylan Stallones, Josh Atomanczyk, and others, but Gunter has faced several talented teams that didn't even begin to phase them this season. Fans can expect hard hitters to come to the plate as Gunter enters their state semifinal matchup. Excellent hitting paired with phenomenal pitching and a smooth defense is sure to power Gunter to the state finals where they would play the winner of Corpus Christi London and fellow-DFW area team Brock should they advance!