High school baseball playoff preview: Austin-area teams, pitchers and field players to watch
Austin-area baseball teams begin their quest to reach Dell Diamond and the state tournament Thursday with the start of the UIL playoffs. Here are five teams, pitchers and field players to watch in the postseason:
(Note: There will be no duplication across the lists. Teams and players listed in alphabetical order.)
Five teams to watch
Dripping Springs: The Tigers (23-8) went 14-2 in District 26-6A and split their two games with Lake Travis. Cooper Rummel can match up with any ace in the region while Taylor Tracey is lights-out for a few innings on the mound and swings a dangerous bat. Dripping Springs has plenty of pitching depth and its lineup is one of the deepest in the area with Traigh Perry, Jack Tyndall, Tristan Ciechanowicz, Conner Helms and Jaxon Conover all having the ability to clear the wall.
Georgetown: The Eagles (21-10-1) swept District 23-5A for the second straight year and still have the bulk of the players that led them to the regional quarterfinals a year ago. Ryley Leininger is a true ace and part of a strong lineup led by Devin Peterson, Talan Ball and Reece Herrera. David Fluitt, Andrew Nations, Cooper Ashby and Luke Holley give Georgetown quality options on the mound.
Lake Travis: The Cavs (25-6-1) arguably had the most impressive regular season in the Austin area by only dropping one game on the way to winning a loaded District 26-6A. With an all-star battery of pitcher Kadyn Leon and catcher Gavyn Schlotterback and a talented pitching staff of Cooper Webb, David Womack and Gavin McCullough, among others, Lake Travis has the arms needed for a deep run. Maddox Medrano, Jager Rahn, Reid Kilgo and Karson Rader lead a potent offense along with Schlotterback.
Liberty Hill: The Panthers (24-5-2) came out on top of District 25-5A. Blaze Milam is one of the best arms in the area, and there’s a lot of pitching behind him in Cole Tanksley, Jordan Andrews, Pearson Lowery and Jaxson Richter. Carson Sharp, Andrew Basey, Toby Rimann and Giancarlo Giletei lead a dangerous lineup.
Rouse: The ultimate wild card, the Raiders (24-8-1) could lose in the first round or win a state title. Oscar Salazar, Rayner Heinrich and Landon Miller can all rake with the best of them, and coach Chad Krempin always seems to have his teams playing the best in the postseason. If the Raiders’ pitching is on, watch out.
More: Prep baseball: Austin-area teams secure district titles, playoff spots on final day of season
Five pitchers to watch
Sam DeLong, Round Rock: The crafty senior southpaw is one of the area’s best, a threat to throw a complete game every time he starts and leads the Dragons’ hopes of a deep playoff run.
Cole Miller, Bowie: If Bowie is the best No. 4 seed in the state, Miller is a big reason why. Headed to Abilene Christian, he constantly threw at least six innings this spring and gives the Bulldogs a chance every time he’s on the mound.
Patrick Reyes, East View: Possibly the best player you’ve never heard of, the Patriots rode Reyes’ left arm to the playoffs. Though they’re the fourth seed out of District 23-5A, he’ll give them a shot with the ability to throw 110 pitches in a series.
Sam Stevens, McCallum: The senior ace leads a veteran team that won District 24-5A and has plenty of playoff experience.
Andre Wood, Vista Ridge: The senior was phenomenal all season and combines with Ethan Sanders to give the Rangers arguably the top starting pitching duo in the area.
More: 25 Austin-area baseball players having breakout seasons
Five field players to watch
Kade Davis, Cedar Park: Maybe the best all-around player in the Austin area, Davis does it all for the Timberwolves whether it’s on the mound, in the field or at the plate. He's one of the reasons Cedar Park has a good chance for a deep playoff run.
Hudson Ellis, Round Rock: One of the area’s top players, he leads the Dragons’ defense from shortstop and is at the top of the batting order.
Hudson Hartgrove, Cedar Ridge: He's a big reason the Raiders are back in the playoffs as the No. 3 seed out of District 25-6A. Part of the Austin area’s plethora of outstanding shortstops.
Camden Malott, Hendrickson: The Hawks’ do-it-all player, he’s excelled at third base, on the mound and in the batter’s box and helped Hendrickson back to the playoffs out of District 23-5A.
Ethan McLain, Johnson: A wizard at shortstop, McLain can also pitch in relief and is the Jaguars’ leadoff hitter.
Two bi-district series to watch
Class 6A: Round Rock vs. Johnson. This one is going to be fun. Both teams are full of future college players, and the winner has a chance to keep playing for a couple of weeks. If you can only attend one series this weekend, this is it.
Class 5A: McCallum vs. East View. If we get Stevens vs. Reyes in the opener, fans are in for a treat. This could easily go three games and should be a series where every pitch matters.
This week's bi-district playoff matchups
Class 6A
Lake Travis vs. Westwood — 1, 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Westwood; 2, 7:30 p.m. Friday, Lake Travis; 3, TBA (if needed); Dripping Springs vs. Cedar Ridge — 1, 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Cedar Ridge; 2, 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dripping Springs; 3, TBA (f needed); Vista Ridge vs. Bowie — 1, 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Burger Field; 2, 7:30 p.m. Friday, Vista Ridge; 3, 1 p.m. Saturday, Burger Field (if needed); Round Rock vs. Johnson — 1, 7 p.m. Thursday, Round Rock; 2, 7 p.m. Friday, Johnson; 3. 2 p.m. Saturday, TBA (if needed)
Class 5A
Georgetown vs. Navarro — 1, 7 p.m. Thursday, Nelson Field; 2, 7 p.m. Friday, Georgetown; 3, noon Saturday, Georgetown (if needed); Elgin vs. LASA — 1, 6 p.m. Wednesday, Nelson Field; 2, 7 p.m. Thursday, Elgin; 3, 7 p.m. Friday, Elgin (if needed); McCallum vs. East View — 1, 6 p.m. Thursday, Manor; 2, 6 p.m. Friday, Manor; 3, noon Saturday, Manor (if needed); Rouse vs. Smithson Valley —1, 7 p.m. Thursday, Smithson Valley; 2, 7 p.m. Friday, Rouse; 3, Saturday TBA (if needed); Crockett vs. Hendrickson — 1, 5 p.m. Thursday, Burger Field; 2, 6 p.m. Friday, Hendrickson; 3, 30 min. following Game 2, if needed; Hays vs. Boerne Champion — 1, 7 p.m. Thursday, Boerne Champion; 2, 7 p.m. Friday, Hays; 3, 2 p.m. Saturday, Boerne Champion (if needed)
This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Baseball playoffs: Austin-area teams, pitchers and field players to watch
