H.S. Baseball: Abilene Wylie pitchers shine in region quarterfinals series

Walks have been a problem for Brady Clark at times this season, but a new approach in his last outing seems to be working.

The Wylie junior has embraced the idea of throwing to contact.

It’s a philosophy used by many pitchers, including most Major League teams.

Yet, Clark wasn’t too keen on the idea initially.

“I had my doubts at first, and then I realized as the game went on, we had a really good defense,” Clark said. “Just throw to contact.”

That doesn’t mean giving hitters a fat, juicy ball over the middle of the plate, but giving them something they can hit on the ground – preferably early in the count.

Let the defense do all the work. After all, they can’t defend a walk.

“I think it built my confidence, being able to throw to contact and not have to worry about locating really well,” Clark said. “I have a good defense behind me, and I trust them with the plays I need in the field. If one play goes the wrong way, everybody on the team has each other’s back. I think it builds a strong connection between us.”

Clark threw six strong innings in his last start – a 4-2 win over Lubbock Monterey in the opener of the Region I-5A quarterfinal series last week in Midland. Clark allowed two hits, struck out five and walked four.

It was a far cry from his start against Plainview to open the playoffs. He lasted just 2⅓ innings, allowing five runs on three hits. He struck out two and walked three. All after his team had put up seven runs in the first inning.

“I think with me, I just overthink and try to do too much at times,” Clark said. “I just simplified it all down.”

Wylie coach Grant Martin said Clark is fast learner, one who learns from each outing – good or bad.

“He’s done a great job this year of making adjustments, whether they’re minor or major, that’s helped him in his next start,” Martin said. “He’s great about that. He knows what he needs to do independently, and I think that helps him as far as understanding what he’s doing wrong.”

Now, going into Thursday’s Region I-5A semifinal series against Argyle, Clark has faith in his abilities on the mound and the defense behind him.

“I feel great. Confident,” Clark said. “I have confidence in every single player on the team. I think we’re going to do great.”

Tough duo to beat

Clark and senior Sam Walker have made for a nice 1-2 punch in the Bulldogs’ starting rotation in the playoffs.

Walker scattered five hits in Wylie’s 4-3 victory over Monterey to complete the series sweep Saturday. He struck out four and walked one in 6⅓ innings.

It comes on the heels of a complete-game five-hitter to sew up a 6-1 victory to sweep El Paso Del Valle a week earlier, Walker struck out four and walked one in that game.

He also got the win as Wylie finished off Plainview with a 12-2 mercy-rule victory in the second game of the bi-district series. He allowed five hits, struck out seven and didn’t walk anyone.

“You get the same guy every single time he steps out there,” Wylie coach Grant Martin said of Walker. “That’s a huge advantage for us. It’s huge just moving forward – guys who have been consistent and can battle people the right way. He’s that guy.”

Like Clark, Walker has embraced the idea of throwing to contact.

“The strikeout is always fun, but if we can be efficient and just throw to them and make the plays, we play very well,” Walker said.

The constant theme talking to both Clark and Walker is the defense behind them.

“The defense is huge,” Walker said. “Anytime I work into a jam, they’re always there backing me up. Never a doubt. If I get into a tough spot, I know I can rely on them. It works very smoothly when they’ve got my back and I’ve got theirs.”

Offensive Bulldogs

It helps that Wylie can put runs in a hurry, too.

The Bulldogs are averaging eight runs per game, and they usually put up a crooked number early – scoring at least three or more runs in the first two innings of four of their six postseason games.

“They really help the pitchers on the mound, being able to hit the ball and put the ball in play and giving us extra runs, cushion runs,” Clark said. “It helps our confidence on the mound.”

Martin has been pleased with his offense – something the Bulldogs struggled with at times during the regular season. They struggled to score runs during a 0-5-1 stretch early in the season and another 1-4 span during district. There’s been no power shortage in the playoffs.

“We’ve been a little more consistent at the plate in the postseason, and I think that takes a lot off the pitchers as well,” Martin said. “We’ve talked about that. That we have to give them support. We have to be able to score runs and score runs when we have the opportunity.”

The closer

Another key arm in the Bulldogs’ deep playoff run this season has been freshman Colby Garrett. He nailed down the save in both games against Monterey – throwing 12/3 scoreless innings in the series.

Garrett also got the win in relief of Clark in the series’ opener against Del Valle, throwing 12/3 scoreless innings and allowing only one hit. Wylie scored two runs in the eighth to win that game 7-5.

Overall, in the postseason, Garrett has given up three hits in 6⅓ scoreless innings, striking out six and walking one.

“Colby’s been thrown in there in some pretty tight situations, and just done a wonderful job,” Martin said. “He’s had wonderful composure, great poise, and, again, another guy who steps in there and throw strikes.”

And after winning a close series with District 4-5A rival Monterey, Martin feels good about his two starters and closer.

“They both threw really well, and they’ve done that throughout the playoffs and really throughout the year,” Martin said. “I was really pleased with those two starts, and then Colby coming in relief did a wonderful job.

“I couldn’t be more proud of those guys. They’ve built themselves for this moment. I think it showed during a tough series with Monterey.”

It’s going to take the total package for Wylie (23-11-1) to get past Argyle.

The Eagles (30-9-2) made the jump to Class 5A this season, after reaching the Class 4A title game last year. It was the program’s fifth state tournament appearance. The Eagles won state in 2019, 2018 and 2015 – beating Wylie in the state semifinals in 2015.

The Bulldogs won consecutive 4A state titles in 2016-17 and has eight state tournament appearances overall, though none since making the jump to 5A in 2019.

Now, one former 4A state power will take a step closer to that first trip to state as a 5A team.

The series’ winner plays either Grapevine (32-5-2) or Lubbock-Cooper (25-16) in the region semifinals next week. Lubbock-Cooper knocked out Abilene High in three games.

“We’re going to have to plate runs when we have the opportunity, and I know this last series there were some times when we left some big innings on the field,” Martin said. “Hopefully, we can work through those things and score runs when we need them.”

If the Bulldogs can do that, Martin is has faith in his pitching staff and defense.

“I think the biggest thing moving forward with us is how well we’re playing as a team,” Martin said. “That’s the thing I’m most impressed with and most proud of how.”

Notes: This is Wylie’s third straight trip to the region semifinals. Aledo swept the Bulldogs both times. Lubbock-Cooper also reached the region semifinals last year, falling to Mansfield Legacy in three games. …. The four remaining teams in Region I-5A have 18 state tournament appearances (Wylie 8, Argyle 5, Lubbock-Cooper 3 and Grapevine 2). Grapevine is the only school to accomplish the feat in 5A. The Mustangs won state in 2017 … Lubbock-Cooper and Arygle both reached the 3A state semifinals in 2014. Wylie beat Lubbock-Cooper in the region finals to earn its second straight state appearance in 2007. The Pirates are the only team among the four who have yet to win a state title. … Argyle took out defending Region I-4A champion Stephenville 8-1 and 4-0 in the region finals last year – a year after the Yellow Jackets beat the Eagles 2-0 and 6-1 in the region finals.

REGION I-5A SEMIFINALS

Abilene Wylie (23-11-1) vs. Argyle (30-9-2)

Game 1: 7 p.m. Thursday, Southlake Carroll

Game 2: 1 p.m. Friday, ACU’s Crutcher Scott Field

Game 3: 4 p.m. Saturday, Weatherford High School (if needed)

How they got here: Arygle beat Midlothian in three games 6-3, 2-4, 13-3 in bi-district, went three with Fort Worth Arlington Heights (2-5, 6-0, 6-5) and three with Burleson (4-7, 4-0, 7-3); Wylie swept Plainview 15-5, 12-2, El Paso Del Valle 7-5, 6-1 and Lubbock Monterey 4-2, 4-3.

Winner gets: Grapevine (32-5-2)/Lubbock-Cooper (25-16) winner next week for a berth in the state tournament June 8 at Dell Diamond in Round Round. The Class 5A title game is noon June 10 at Dell Diamond.

This article originally appeared on Abilene Reporter-News: Abilene Wylie's starting rotation gets job done in baseball playoffs