High school baseball teams compete at the UIL championships, showcasing their skills and determination.
Four Houston-area teams are set to compete in the UIL baseball tournament at Dell Diamond this weekend. Tomball aims for a second consecutive title against Kingwood, while Atascocita makes its championship debut against Midway. Kingwood Park also seeks glory against Grapevine. With standout performances noted, these teams promise thrilling matchups for state crowns.
Round Rock – Four Houston-area teams are gearing up to compete for state championships during the UIL baseball tournament taking place at Dell Diamond this weekend. Tomball aims to win its second consecutive title while Atascocita, Kingwood, and Kingwood Park also look to make their mark in the championship games scheduled for Friday and Saturday.
Tomball enters the championship with a perfect playoff record of 10-0, having recently swept Flower Mound Marcus in the state semifinals. The Cougars are aiming to be the first Houston-area team to win back-to-back titles since Elkins achieved this feat in 2002 and 2003. The team boasts a powerful pitching duo, C.J. Sampson and Karson Reeder, who have combined for an impressive 24-3 record this season. Tomball’s pitching staff holds a remarkable playoff ERA of just 0.47, underscoring their dominance on the mound. Junior catcher Catcher Hopkins leads the offense with a batting average of .389.
Tomball’s opponent, Kingwood, is ranked No. 13 in the country and is striving for its second state championship. The Mustangs have showcased a strong offensive presence this season, averaging approximately 7.8 runs per game. Key pitchers Ben Mayorga and Brock Hill have combined playoff ERAs of 3.88, providing a robust defensive effort to support their quest for the championship.
Atascocita, making its first-ever appearance in the state championship game, defeated Austin Lake Travis 1-0 in the semifinals. Under head coach Jeremy O’Neill, the team has posted an overall record of 58-26-4 since the start of the 2023-24 season. Previously, Atascocita reached the semifinals in 2014 but fell short at the state level. The key contributors for Atascocita include junior pitcher Ty Higginbotham, who boasts an 11-1 playoff record with a 1.88 ERA, and second baseman Cole Edwards, who leads the team with a .358 batting average.
Atascocita will face Midway in the championship, a team that won its semifinal series against Prosper with a score of 4-2. Midway is also seeking its first state crown since 2003. Their pitchers have been reliable throughout the playoffs, collectively maintaining a 2.56 ERA over 12 games. Notably, senior shortstop T.J. Woodson has been a standout performer offensively, batting an impressive .449.
Finally, Kingwood Park is set to make its inaugural appearance in the state championship game after clinching its spot with a 5-4 victory over Liberty Hill. The Panthers, boasting a playoff record of 10-2, have demonstrated strong pitching performances from Aden Murray and Landon Coburn, who have ERAs of 2.07 and 1.51, respectively. Kingwood Park will take on Grapevine, which is aiming for its second consecutive state title after winning the Class 5A championship last year. Grapevine has excelled with an outstanding record of 23-1 over its last 24 games. Freshman Luke Esquivel leads his team with an 11-1 pitching record and a .429 batting average.
The UIL baseball state championships are highly anticipated events, bringing together some of the best high school teams in Texas. With Tomball, Atascocita, Kingwood, and Kingwood Park all in contention, the Houston-area teams are poised for thrilling matchups this weekend as they vie for state crowns at Dell Diamond.
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