Category: Baseball

by Evan Ren

EVAN REN’S 2026 ALL-HUSTLE TEAM (the hardest-working baseball and softball players in the area)

OTHER 2026 ALL-BIG COUNTRY PREPS TEAMS

Our All-Big Country Preps softball and baseball teams, released on Sunday, are in place to honor those who achieved the most on-field success in 2026. It is off the field, however, where character, grit, and work ethic are often measured. And it is with our Big Country Preps All-Hustle Team that we wish to honor those players, male and female, who were (simply put) the hardest-working, best teammates in the area this spring. 

This team isn’t about who the best baseball and softball players were.

The All-Hustle team honors effort, discipline, toughness, coachability and selflessness — traits that coaches wish they had in every player and upon which championships are built.

It is for that reason that this team is largely selected by area coaches and described in their own words.

Big Country Preps is now honored to present these individuals to you — the best team players (boys and girls) that the the Big Country had to offer during the 2021 season.

The players below are listed in no particular order. 

You need to be logged in to view the rest of the content. Please . Not a Member? Join Us
by Evan Ren

ALL BIG COUNTRY BASEBALL SUPERLATIVES: Oliver, Ferguson, McCarty, Shindler and West take top honors

Here are our superlative award winners for the 2026 All-Big Country Preps baseball team. For the rest of this year’s selections, click the links below.

You need to be logged in to view the rest of the content. Please . Not a Member? Join Us
by Daniel Youngblood

2026 All-Big Country Preps Baseball Team: First-Team Roster

Here are our second-team selections for the 2026 All-Big Country Preps baseball team. For the rest of this year’s selections, click the links below.

You need to be logged in to view the rest of the content. Please . Not a Member? Join Us
by Daniel Youngblood

2026 All-Big Country Preps Baseball Team: Second-Team Roster (w/ honorable mention)

Here are our second-team selections for the 2026 All-Big Country Preps baseball team. For the rest of this year’s selections, click the links below.

You need to be logged in to view the rest of the content. Please . Not a Member? Join Us
by Evan Ren

2026 Big Country Preps Rising Stars Baseball Team: The top sophomores and freshmen in the area

Ladies and gentlemen, we are proud to release our 2026 All-Big Country Preps baseball teams. 

Here, you will find our Rising Stars Team honoring the top freshmen and sophomores in the Big Country.

For the rest of this year’s baseball selections, please click the links below.

You need to be logged in to view the rest of the content. Please . Not a Member? Join Us
by Daniel Youngblood

GAME STORY: First-inning rally, complete-game gem by Larsen lifts Groveton Centerville to 2-0 win over Gordon

ROUND ROCK — A two-out, two-run single by Chris Fry in the top of the first inning proved the difference in the game Saturday as Groveton Centerville edged Gordon 2-0 for the Class 1A state championship at Dell Diamond.

The Bulldogs’ three first-inning hits accounted for more than half their total for the game, but that mini outburst against Longhorns ace Aiden Shank was all the run support necessary for Kolt Larsen, whose complete-game shutout had him holding the MVP trophy after the game.

Fry’s single, the only hit by either team in 17 at-bats with runners in scoring position, forced Gordon to play catch-up the rest of the way. And despite a strong pitching performance of their own from Shank and reliever Stryker Reed, the Longhorns could never close the gap, leaving seven runners on base in the loss.

With the victory, Centerville (24-1) claimed its first state championship in program history, while Gordon (23-5) finished as the state runner-up for the second consecutive year.

You need to be logged in to view the rest of the content. Please . Not a Member? Join Us
by Daniel Youngblood

GAME STORY: Clutch hit eludes Brock as Robinson small-balls way to 3-1 win in Class 4A DII title game

ROUND ROCK — The Brock baseball team outhit Waco Robinson 10-3 on Friday in the Class 4A Division II state championship game, but it wasn’t enough as a scrappy Rockets squad did more to capitalize on its opportunities in a 3-1 win at Dell Diamond.

With lefty starter Cayden Birkes pitching into and out of trouble for six strong innings and his lineup turning three singles, three Brock errors, three walks and a pair of hit batsmen into consistent base traffic, Robinson never trailed, scoring the game’s first run in the bottom of the first before breaking a 1-all tie with a pair of runs in the fifth.

The teams combined to go just 1 for 16 with runners in scoring position, with Cayden Coe’s two-run single in the pivotal fifth inning serving as as the difference both in that statistical category and the game.

Brock, which closed its season at 32-7, falling in the state championship game for the second time in three years, loaded the bases in the top of the seventh. But Robinson reliever Eddie Villarreal got Asher Strait to pop out to end the game, setting off a dogpile near the mound as the Rockets (30-10) claimed their first state title in program history.

You need to be logged in to view the rest of the content. Please . Not a Member? Join Us
by Daniel Youngblood

FEATURE: Gordon seniors look to add program’s first baseball title to historic list of accomplishments

ROUND ROCK — With what they’ve accomplished across all sports, Gordon’s 2026 seniors have already cemented themselves as one of the most successful graduating classes in the history of the state.

The laundry list of achievements on the boys side, which include three football titles, three track titles, a basketball state tournament appearance and two trips to the championship game in baseball, have seen the Longhorns compete on the biggest stages Texas high school sports have to offer and collect enough hardware to fill several trophy cases along the way.

On Saturday, six members of that class — Brayden Walters, Stryker Reed, Aiden Shank, Asher Salinas, Evan Jackson and Noah Kostiha — will don the black and gold for one final time when Gordon takes on Groveton Centerville for the Class 1A title at 9 a.m. at Dell Diamond. And if things go according to plan, that group will help the Longhorns leave Round Rock with one of the few trophies that alluded them to this point.

You need to be logged in to view the rest of the content. Please . Not a Member? Join Us
by Yale Youngblood, Special to Big Country Preps

FEATURE: Brock shortstop, team leader Lightfoot a catalyst for Eagles’ run to state title game

In the biggest game of his high school career — and in the most important moment in Brock High School’s recent baseball history — Canon Lightfoot did … well … what Canon Lightfoot does.

He delivered the goods on time.

Last Saturday, in a win-or-go-home game that served as the climax to the Class 4A Division II state semifinal series, Lightfoot laced the first pitch of the first inning from Frisco Panther Creek starter Cross Rodriguez. The ball went just over Rodriguez’s head, then shot past him, on a line to a spot some 30 feet in front of the Panthers’ center fielder, Graylyn Fry.

A little more than two hours later, Brock was on its way to the state championship game.

You need to be logged in to view the rest of the content. Please . Not a Member? Join Us
by Daniel Youngblood

GAME STORY: Gordon slugs way to 18-8 win over Hamlin to secure sweep, earn return trip to Round Rock

EULA — After pitching dominated the thrilling opener of the Class 1A state semifinal series between Gordon and Hamlin on Thursday, it became apparent immediately Saturday afternoon that Game 2 would be a different kind of game.

The two teams combined for 10 runs over the first two innings and left a combined eight runners on base on top of that, setting the stage for a battle of wills and pitching depth that the Longhorns would eventually win 18-8 in six innings.

Aiden Shank, who pitched a complete-game shutout on Thursday to put GHS in position to complete the series sweep, went 3 for 4 with two home runs and five RBIs while Stryker Reed pitched the the final five innings of the game and added a bomb of his own to fuel the Longhorns past Hamlin and into the state championship game for the second year in a row.

With Saturday’s victory, coach Ligon West’s squad earned a state finals matchup with Groveton Centerville, scheduled for 9 a.m. next Saturday at Dell Diamond in Round Rock.

You need to be logged in to view the rest of the content. Please . Not a Member? Join Us
by Yale Youngblood, Special to Big Country Preps

GAME STORY: Brock makes state finals return with 5-2 win over Frisco Panther Creek in Game 3

SAGINAW — Colton Ripple pitched five innings of no-hit ball, and Canon Lightfoot and Evan O’Connor combined for three hits, three runs and a pair of RBIs to lift the Brock baseball team to a 5-2 win over Frisco Panther Creek on Saturday evening.

As a result (lest we run the risk of burying the lead here), the Eagles are going to Round Rock for the Class 4A Division II state championship game!

The victory at Saginaw Eagle Mountain Lake High School’s Knight Field capped a stellar weekend for the Eagles. It helped Brock avenge a heart-wrenching 1-0 loss to the Panthers on the same field two days prior. It capped two straight wins in the state semifinal series when just one defeat would have ended their season. And …

(Most importantly …)

It gave coach Koby Page and a determined group of players a chance to record the school’s second state title and first as a Class 4A competitor. Brock (32-6) will play Waco Robinson (29-10) at noon on Friday at Dell Diamond in Round Rock, with the winner earning the right to hoist the 2026 state championship trophy.

You need to be logged in to view the rest of the content. Please . Not a Member? Join Us
by Daniel Youngblood

GAME REPORT: Brock rebounds in Game 2 to defeat Frisco Panther Creek, force decisive third game

WEATHERFORD — After dropping a wild 1-0 affair in the opener of its Class 4A Division II state semifinal series with Frisco Panther Creek on Thursday, the Brock baseball team bounced back with a season-saving effort in Friday’s Game 2.

The Eagles rode a three-run third inning and a gritty start on the mound from lefty ace Evan O’Connor to a 4-2 triumph at Weatherford College, forcing a deciding third game at 6 p.m. Saturday back at Saginaw Eagle Mountain High School, the site of Game 1.

Brock only outhit the Panthers 7-6, but the Eagles did more damage with those knocks, tallying four extra-base hits to Panther Creek’s one, including a three-double day from Cade Vidal.

You need to be logged in to view the rest of the content. Please . Not a Member? Join Us
by Daniel Youngblood

GAME STORY: Paradise rallies for win in Game 3 to to end Wall’s title defense in state semis

ABILENE — After watching his team drop the opener of its Class 3A Division II state semifinal series 5-0 on Thursday, Wall coach Jeremy Gordon was confident his Hawks would respond well when they returned to the field for the conclusion of the best-of-three affair on Friday at Hardin-Simmons University’s Hunter Field.

He was right.

But unfortunately for the defending state champion Hawks, there were two confident, talented and resilient ballclubs on the field Friday, and it was the Panthers who landed the final blow in a heavyweight bout, bouncing back from a 9-4 loss in Game 2 to score a come-from-behind 11-8 win in Game 3 to slip past Wall and into next week’s state championship game against Franklin.

You need to be logged in to view the rest of the content. Please . Not a Member? Join Us
by Daniel Youngblood

GAME STORY: Bases-loaded catcher’s interference lifts Gordon to 1-0 walk-off win over Hamlin in series opener

EULA — To say there wasn’t much separating the Gordon and Hamlin baseball teams Thursday in the opener of their Class 1A state semifinal series would be a fairly substantial understatement.

At the end of a game that was played from start to finish on a razor’s edge, the deciding factor a bases-loaded catcher’s interference call in the seventh inning that plated the game’s only run,  lifting the Longhorns to a 1-0 walk-off win at the Eula Athletic Complex.

With Gordon’s Aiden Shank and Hamlin’s Ian Gruben matching each other zero for zero, wiggling out of what little trouble they found themselves in throughout the night, the game looked like it might be destined for extra innings when Gruben closed his outing on the mound by striking out Corvin Seymour with one out and the bases jammed in the seventh. But facing a 2-2 count against HHS reliever Isaiah Hutchings, Jasper Clark’s swing clipped the mitt of Javie Ramos, who had come in to replace Hutchings behind the plate.

Clark immediately reacted, but there was no call initially. After a brief meeting between the game’s four umpires, it was ruled that it was, indeed, catcher’s interference, forcing Brayden Walters home from third to end a thrilling pitchers’ duel in a strange — and strangely anticlimactic — way.

You need to be logged in to view the rest of the content. Please . Not a Member? Join Us
by Daniel Youngblood

GAME STORY: Paradise shuts out Wall 5-0 in opener of Class 3A Division II state semifinal series

CLYDE — A night that began with a venue change due to rain in the Abilene area ended with Wall’s first loss of the postseason, as little went right for the Hawks in the opener of their Class 3A Division II state semifinal series against Paradise on Thursday.

After seeing the game moved from Hardin-Simmons University to Clyde’s Hanner Sports Complex due to wet conditions at HSU’s natural grass field, Wall dropped a 5-0 decision to the Panthers to snap an 11-game winning streak that dated back to a 22-19 nondistrict loss to Abilene High on April 10.

Thursday’s defeat, which saw Paradise scratch across unearned runs in the fourth and fifth innings before erupting for three runs in the seventh, leaves the defending state champion Hawks in a must-win situation when the series resumes with Game 2 at 3 p.m. Friday back at Hardin-Simmons’ Hunter Field. WHS will need to win that game and Game 3 directly after to earn a shot to defend its state title next week in Round Rock.

You need to be logged in to view the rest of the content. Please . Not a Member? Join Us
by Yale Youngblood, Special to Big Country Preps

GAME STORY: Wild play involving bat toss contributes to only run as Frisco Panther Creek edges Brock in Game 1

SAGINAW — A batter who didn’t hit the ball wound up making the most important pitch of the night to propel Frisco Panther Creek to a 1-0 victory over Brock in the opening game of a best-of-three Class 4A Division II state semifinal baseball series that will decide which team will play for the state title next week.

The crazy, tell-tale moment came in the bottom of the sixth inning of an ever-tense battle between two stellar baseball teams. And, because of how it played out, it overshadowed one of the better-pitched games played anywhere in the state this spring.

It went down like this:

You need to be logged in to view the rest of the content. Please . Not a Member? Join Us
by Brandon McAuliffe

GAME STORY: Hamlin set for Gordon rematch in state semifinals after sweeping O’Donnell

COLORADO CITY — The Hamlin baseball team takes great pride in its approach to hitting with two strikes and that approach paid off in droves on Saturday in Game 2 of the Pied Pipers’ Region I-1A series at AW Phillips Field against O’Donnell.

Nine different batters reached base safely on Saturday when facing a pitch with two strikes as the Pied Pipers beat the Eagles 6-0 to earn a state semifinal matchup with Gordon next week.

Hamlin coach Lynn Turner and Saturday’s starting pitcher Isaiah Hutchings both heaped praise on the offense, which chased O’Donnell starter Willie Luera in the fifth inning after he reached the 110-pitch count limit. Hamlin had six batters work a full count on Saturday with four of them reaching base via a walk.

You need to be logged in to view the rest of the content. Please . Not a Member? Join Us
by Evan Ren

GAME STORY: Eagles advance to state semis with sweep of Lubbock-Cooper Liberty (box score included)

ABILENE — There was no postgame dogpile following Brock’s series-clinching 4-0 win over Lubbock-Cooper Liberty at Crutcher Scott Field on Saturday. 

The Eagles, having just secured the Region I-4A DII championship, had a moderate celebration, knowing that they still must defeat Frisco Panther Creek in the state semifinals in order to reach their goal of playing for a state championship. 

It was a fitting reaction to a workmanlike victory over the Patriots that saw Brock scratch home four runs in support of a four-hit shutout from southpaw Evan O’Connor. 

“I’m just proud of our boys, to be honest with you,” Brock coach Kobe Page said. “We don’t play a lot of day games starting at (noon) and after a late night, it’s a quick turnaround and it kind of throws you off schedule a little bit.

“But I love our fight, I love our guys and what they bring every single day to the table. … Anyone who sees Brock on the other side knows they’re in for a dogfight, whether we have our best stuff or not. They know we’ll grind it out — every pitch, every out.” 

You need to be logged in to view the rest of the content. Please . Not a Member? Join Us
by Daniel Youngblood

GAME STORY: Argyle rallies in the sixth to down Wylie 6-3, deprive Bulldogs of first state semifinals trip since ’17

GRAHAM — Heading to the bottom of the sixth inning, things were shaping up nicely for the Wylie baseball team in Game 3 of its Region I-5A Division II championship series against Argyle.

The Bulldogs held a 3-2 lead, had their best bullpen arm on the mound and had the meat of their lineup due up in the top of the seventh should they need additional offense to put away the Eagles.

Unfortunately, things didn’t go at all to plan for Wylie from that point forward, as Argyle scored four runs off reliever Myles McCarty in the sixth — three of those with two outs in the inning — to pull away for a 6-3 win and deprive the Bulldogs of their first trip to the state semifinals as a Class 5A program.

The loss ended Wylie’s best season since winning back-to-back Class 4A state championships in 2016 and 2017 at 27-8-1, while the Eagles (24-15-1) advanced to the state semifinals for the seventh time in program history — all since 2014.

You need to be logged in to view the rest of the content. Please . Not a Member? Join Us
by Evan Ren

GAME STORY: Brock takes Game 1 in dominating fashion, handing Lubbock-Cooper Liberty a 9-0 loss at ACU

ABILENE — To say Brock is in a good position to win the Region I-4A DII championship might be an understatement. That’s based on the fact that the Eagles defeated Lubbock-Cooper Liberty 9-0 in Game 1 on Friday without their top pitcher, Evan O’Conner, throwing so much as an inning at Crutcher Scott Field.

Instead, Game 1 saw a gutsy effort from Brock starter Weston Pickard and nine runs of combined offense in the first two innings to lead the Eagles (29-6), who can clinch the series with a win in Game 2, slated for noon on Saturday at the same venue. 

Pickard escaped bases-loaded jams in the first and fourth innings and left with a shutout intact when he was relieved by Austin Gallogly in the top of the fifth. Pickard allowed four hits and four walks, but six strikeouts helped him strand eight baserunners in four frames. 

Liberty fell to 31-11 with the loss. 

You need to be logged in to view the rest of the content. Please . Not a Member? Join Us
by Daniel Youngblood

GAME STORY: Unrelenting offense, strong start by Garrett fuel Wylie to 17-0 win over Argyle in Game 2

Following Wylie’s 7-5 loss to Argyle in Game 1 of the Region I-5A Division II championship series on Wednesday in Saginaw, Bulldogs coach Grant Martin said he expected his team to respond well when the series came to Abilene Christian University for Game 2.

On Friday at Crutcher Scott Field, the Bulldogs did that and then some, trouncing the Eagles 17-0 in a run-rule victory to force a deciding Game 3 at 1 p.m. Saturday in Graham.

The game was never close as Wylie followed a five-run first inning with a nine-run second, quickly turning Argyle’s post-graduation trip to Abilene into a nightmare and ensuring that the Eagles’ drive back east would be a long — and likely quiet — one.

You need to be logged in to view the rest of the content. Please . Not a Member? Join Us
by Brandon McAuliffe

GAME STORY: Wall capitalizes on late Jacksboro error to claim Region I-3A DII crown

ABILENE — As the last two teams standing in Region I-3A Division II, the Wall and Jacksboro baseball teams matched each other nearly play for play during their regional final series as they squared off at Abilene Christian University’s Crutcher Scott Field at Bullock Brothers Ballpark.

The Hawks took the series opener 7-2 on Wednesday after scoring six times in the final two innings before using another sixth inning offensive rally to finish the series off with a 4-3 win on Thursday.

Kellan Oliver improved to 10-1 on the season — and 3-0 in the postseason — with a complete game three-hitter in which he allowed just one earned run on 101 pitches while walking four and striking out six in his 10th start of the year. Thursday marked Oliver’s eighth complete game this year and probably the one where he’s dealt with the most inconsistent strike zone.

You need to be logged in to view the rest of the content. Please . Not a Member? Join Us
by Daniel Youngblood

GAME STORY: Four-run sixth inning lifts Wall to 7-2 win over Jacksboro to open Region I-3A DII finals series

ABILENE — Due to lightning in the area, it took an extra hour and a half for the Wall and Jacksboro baseball teams to get on the field for the opener of the Region I-3A Division II finals series Wednesday at Crutcher Scott Field.

And once the first pitch was finally thrown, it took five innings for either to team gain any sort of upper hand.

But with the score tied at 1-1 in the top of the sixth, the Hawks finally solved JHS starter Wyatt Gavit, scoring four runs in the frame to create some separation on their way to a 7-2 win.

The victory puts Wall in position to complete the sweep when the series resumes at 7:30 p.m. Thursday back at Abilene Christian University. Game 3, if necessary, would be played at 7 p.m. Saturday.

You need to be logged in to view the rest of the content. Please . Not a Member? Join Us
by Yale Youngblood, Special to Big Country Preps

GAME STORY: Argyle takes advantage of nine walks, fast start to down Wylie 7-5 in Game 1

SAGINAW — The Argyle Eagles walked past the Wylie Bulldogs 7-5 in the opening game of their best-of-three Region 1-5A Division II final series Tuesday afternoon.

You pretty much can add the word “literally,” if you want to.

Wyle pitchers issued nine free passes, including five in the first two innings, and Argyle used the Bulldogs’ generosity to score six runs in their first two at-bats.

The Bulldogs gamely answered the Eagles’ three-run first inning with three runs of their own in the top of the second, but Argyle put up a carbon-copy bottom half of the inning. And while Wylie made it interesting down the stretch, the Eagles (23-14-1) held on and are now a win away from a trip to the state semifinals.

You need to be logged in to view the rest of the content. Please . Not a Member? Join Us
by Evan Ren

BIG COUNTRY PREPS PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Reed takes our final award for 2025-26

As is our tradition, with the UIL State Track and Field Championships now over, we conclude our Big Country Preps Player of the Week column for the 2025-26 school year.  We’ll pick it up again on Monday, Aug. 31. 

In the meantime, our final award of the school year belongs to Gordon senior Stryker Reed, and with good reason. At the state track meet, Reed won state titles in both the 110 and 300 hurdles, breaking his own state records in both events at 14.20 and 37.24. He took an additional gold with the 1600 relay team with a 47.8 split and bronze in the pole vault at 14-0.  He nearly captured a fifth medal in Austin, taking fourth in the high jump at 6-2.

Oh, and did we mention he plays baseball? 

Well, he does — well enough to help the Longhorns to a series sweep of Oglesby last week, going a combined 4 of 5 with a double, triple, two RBIs, three runs scored and two steals. He also pitched in Game 2, allowing one earned run in three innings of work with four strikeouts. 

You need to be logged in to view the rest of the content. Please . Not a Member? Join Us
by Brandon McAuliffe

GAME STORY: Wall finishes sweep of Coahoma with dominant all-around effort

ABILENE — A day after a three-run top of the first inning propelled the Wall baseball team to a 13-1 win over Coahoma in Game 1 of the Region I-3A Division II semifinal at McMurry University’s Walt Driggers Field, the Bulldogs started Game 2 off with their own crooked number.

Coahoma, however, was unable to sustain the momentum of the fast start as the Hawks finished off a sweep of the best-of-three series with a 9-3 win on Saturday afternoon.

The Bulldogs managed just four hits off Wall starting pitcher Gage Reichenau — and they were just fractions of an inch away from only getting one hit in his four innings of work.

You need to be logged in to view the rest of the content. Please . Not a Member? Join Us
by Daniel Youngblood

GAME STORY: Wylie rebounds from Game 2 loss to take series from Burleson, advances to regional finals

GRAHAM — After routing Burleson 11-4 in the opener of its Region I-5A Division II semifinals series on Thursday, the Wylie baseball team found itself in a position it didn’t want to be in Friday — facing elimination at the Graham High School Baseball Field.

But the Bulldogs bounced back from a 5-3 loss in Game 2 with another dominant effort in the series clincher, using a pair of five-run innings to pull away for a 14-4 run-rule win and punch their ticket to the regional finals.

After seeing 11 hits, including two home runs, result in just three runs in Friday’s early game, Wylie turned 12 hits, seven walks and six Burleson errors into a huge run total in the rubber match, taking pressure off its pitching staff early on the way to earning a date next week with all-sport playoff nemesis Argyle.

You need to be logged in to view the rest of the content. Please . Not a Member? Join Us
by Brandon McAuliffe

GAME STORY: Lefty Oliver, bullpen shine for Wall in Game 1 win over Coahoma

ABILENE — Wall baseball coach Jeremy Gordon knows that at this point in the season, bullpen depth becomes more and more important with each passing week.

That’s why, with Kellan Oliver in the middle of a one-hitter in Wall’s 13-1 win over Coahoma in Game 1 of their best-of-three regional semifinal series at McMurry University’s Walt Driggers Field on Friday, he turned to Wyatt Jost and Kalan Sanders for the final two innings.

After the game, Gordon was quick to note why getting Jost and Sanders on the mound was important.

You need to be logged in to view the rest of the content. Please . Not a Member? Join Us
by Daniel Youngblood

GAME STORY: Hamlin rallies to take Game 1 from May to open regional semifinals series

EULA — The Hamlin baseball team scored the final four runs Wednesday to rally for a 5-2 win over May in the opener of a Region I-1A semifinal series at the Eula Athletic Complex.

Trailing 2-1 after an inning, the Pied Pipers bookended a two-run fourth with single runs in the third and fifth, and that was more than enough offense for starter Ian Gruben, who shut the Tigers out in the final six innings of a complete-game gem.

The victory improved Hamlin to 17-1 on the year and gives the Pipers an opportunity to close out the best-of-three series when it resumes at 6 p.m. Thursday with Game 2. Should the Tigers (16-2) bounce back to take that one, a decisive third game would be played on Monday.

You need to be logged in to view the rest of the content. Please . Not a Member? Join Us
by Evan Ren

BIG COUNTRY PREPS PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Ferguson takes our top spot with area round no-hitter vs. EP Americas

With the school year winding down, so is area athletic activity. And as is our custom, we will be ending the Big Country Preps Player of the Week next Monday following the state track and field meet.  In the meantime, a familiar face as taken the top spot, despite seeing his team’s season come to a close. 

Abilene junior pitcher George Ferguson has taken our weekly accolade for a third time in the wake of a 5-inning no hitter in a 10-0 win over El Paso Americas last week in Monahans. 

Ferguson, who is already committed to the University of Texas, hit 99 MPH on the radar gun during the win, which saw him strike out 10. He also finished the series with a combined 3-for-9 tally at the plate with two doubles, a homer and three RBIs. 

You need to be logged in to view the rest of the content. Please . Not a Member? Join Us
by Evan Ren

GAME STORY: Ferguson pegs radar gun at 99 mph; tosses five-inning no-hitter in Game 1 vs. El Paso Americas

MONAHANS — You know you’re having a good season when you toss a five-inning no-hitter with two walks and nine strikeouts and you’re not as sharp as you normally are.  But that is reality for Abilene High School junior George Ferguson, who led the Eagles to a 10-0 mercy rule win over El Paso Americas on Friday in Game 1 of a Region I-5A DII area round series at the Jerry Larned Sports Complex. 

It was the third no-hitter of the season for Ferguson, which includes a perfect game thrown against Abilene Cooper on April 21. He also helped himself at the plate, delivering a two-run homer in the first inning to score Xavier De La Cruz and put the Eagles up for good. 

Also coming up big for Abilene were Brenner Paul, who finished 3-for-3 with a homer and four RBIs and Jaxon Harris (1-for-3, two RBIs). 

The Eagles (25-9-1) can close the series out with a win in Game 2 on Saturday at 11 a.m. at the same venue. Game 3 (if needed) will be 30 minutes after Game 2.  

Americas slipped to 23-7-1 with the loss.

“You know what you’re going to get when (Ferguson) is out on the mound,” Abilene coach Thomas Harmon said. “He’s going to take the ball and compete his tail off and he did that today. At the plate he was loose and relaxed and that showed. It was one of the better all-around games he’s had all year.”

You need to be logged in to view the rest of the content. Please . Not a Member? Join Us
by Brandon McAuliffe

GAME STORY: Locked-in Gruben, opportunistic baserunning propels Hamlin past Hermleigh

ABILENE — Several times in his career, Hamlin senior Ian Gruben has flirted with a no-hitter — including taking a perfect game into the fifth inning earlier this year against Aspermont.

On Thursday night, Hamlin’s ace lost his chance at his first no-hitter on a seventh-inning single, but he did more than enough before that as the Pied Pipers took a 12-2 win over Hermleigh in a one-game Region I-1A area-round playoff at McMurry University’s Walt Driggers Field.

While the single by Braidyn Lynch was hard-hit and clean, Gruben said it was on him as he issued a leadoff walk in the frame that had Ian Hutchings holding a runner on base.

You need to be logged in to view the rest of the content. Please . Not a Member? Join Us
by Evan Ren

GAME STORY: Wall takes Game 1 in area series with Tolar, tops Rattlers 5-4 (box score included)

EULA — After suffering a bruised rib against Jim Ned in mid April, Wall’s Gage Reichenau has been slowly recovering from the injury and trying to get to the point where he could pitch effectively again. 

That evening came on Wednesday night in a 5-4 win over Tolar in Game 1 of a Region I-3A area round series at the Eula Athletic Complex.

Overcoming a sluggish first inning that saw him allow a pair of runs on three walks and an error, Reichenau found his rhythm and delivered 6.1 solid innings in a come-from-behind victory for the Hawks. 

Reid Ballard and Tyler Klinesmith both had two hits and two RBIs to lead Wall (24-8), which can end the series with a Game 2 win on Friday at 4:30 p.m. in Eula. Game 3, if needed, is slated for 1 p.m. on Saturday at the same venue. 

Tolar (19-9) was led by Nolan Cauble, who was 2-for-3 with a double and two RBIs. 

You need to be logged in to view the rest of the content. Please . Not a Member? Join Us
by Daniel Youngblood

GAME STORY: May walks off with thrilling 5-4 win in 10 innings to open area-round series with Ira

EULA — It took 10 innings and four lead changes to decide, but at the end of a marathon opener to the Region I-1A area-round series between May and Ira, it was the Tigers celebrating a thrilling 5-4 victory at the Eula Athletic Complex.

May trailed 2-1 after 2½ innings and 4-3 heading to the bottom of the ninth, but coach Chad Dail’s squad came through with an answer each and every time it needed one to hold off a spirited Ira squad and improve to 15-1 on the year.

The victory gives the Tigers a chance to close out the series when it resumes at 7 p.m. Thursday back in Eula, while Ira (13-4) will be looking to force a deciding third game with a win. Should a rubber match be necessary, it would be played at noon on Saturday at the same site.

You need to be logged in to view the rest of the content. Please . Not a Member? Join Us
by Daniel Youngblood

GAME STORY: Five-run sixth fuels Stamford to come-from-behind win over Coleman in pivotal Game 3

EULA — Trailing Coleman 4-2 after five innings in a winner-take-all Game 3 of a Region I-2A Division II bi-district series, the Stamford baseball team found itself running out of outs Monday at the Eula Athletic Complex.

When the Bluecats gave them a few extras in the top of the sixth, the Bulldogs made sure to capitalize.

Taking advantage of a pair of errors around a dropped line drive that resulted in one out instead of an inning-ending double play, Stamford spawned a five-run rally out of seemingly nowhere to pull out a 7-4 win and outlast CHS for a thrilling series victory.

You need to be logged in to view the rest of the content. Please . Not a Member? Join Us