Prep Baseball Report

2022 Regional Semifinals Preview - 4A & 5A


Phil Haig | Brandon Gowins | Tyler King
TX Scouting Staff

TEXAS - Playoffs are in full swing in Texas and after the first three rounds of playoffs, we move into the Regional Semifinals. With 16 teams left in each class, the competition is getting fiercer, the crowds are getting bigger and the stakes are getting higher. At this point in the Postseason, the atmosphere is electric at every matchup across the state. Today, our scouting staff takes a look at their most anticipated matchups for this year's round of 16 in 4A & 5A.

 

Georgetown vs. CC Ray 

They say “Eagle Fight Never Dies” and nothing was more evident when Georgetown was heading into the bottom of the 7th down a run and found a way to scratch 2 runs across the plate and live to see another day. Reece Bell (Arkansas Tech) was the hero on the day as he took a breaking ball to left field for a single and plate the winning run. Georgetown is one of the more fundamentally sound teams you'll see play across the state. Watching their pregame in and out was a thing of beauty and their in game defense was no different. 

CC Ray comes in as one of hotter and more talented teams out of South Texas this year. Winning 21 of their last 22 games Ray comes into the Semi-final matchup with loads of confidence. Their only loss was in game 1 last week against McAllen Rowe, but quickly bounced back with a dominant 8-0 win and 9-6 win to close out the series. The Texans are strong on the dirt in the middle of the field with the tandem of Jack Bell (Arizona State) and Lucas Tinejero (Uncommitted). Keevyn Goss (HBU) also provides a left handed arm that can beat anyone when he is right.

 

Calallen vs. Boerne

As we reach the Region Semi-final round, we get one of the 4A matchups we have been waiting for. Boerne has faced plenty of adversity this year from a health standpoint but have continued to cruise to this point in the playoffs. Winners of 14 of their last 15 games and a perfect 5-0 in the playoffs, the Greyhounds look to keep playing quality baseball this weekend against their toughest task yet. Andrew Poole (Alvin JC) has the hot hand on the mound right now with 17.1 IP 7H 18K 2BB 1ER this post season and looks to continue that this weekend. Offensively the Greyhounds have as deep of a lineup as anyone in 4A. Led by Rashawn Galloway (Texas State), Riley Pechacek (Uncommitted), Cam Johnson (Wichita State), Tyler Garritano (Baylor), and Kalob Sanchez (Uncommitted), there is plenty of speed,power, and experience to beat anyone. 

Calallen has been cruising through the playoffs until game 1 last against Robstown last weekend where they dropped their first game of the postseason. The Wildcats bounced back to take games 2 and 3 to force this much anticipated matchup  against Boerne. Calallen is led by Justin Lamkin (Texas A&M), one of the most dominant pitchers in the entire state. Lamkin put together one of the best regular seasons a starting pitcher has had in a long time with a stat line of 54.1 IP, 17 H, 119 K, 5 BB, 1 R, 1ER on the season. He has faced a bit of adversity in a couple postseason starts but the Wildcats will need him to be his normal self to get past a tough Boerne squad. 

 

Brenham vs. Friendswood

Brenham is coming off of a 5-1 Game 3 victory over district rival College Station. ‘23 OF/LHP Lane Sparks (uncommitted), ‘23 C Jacob Mabie (uncommitted), and ‘22 DH Ethan Jezierski (Angelina College commit) were all big contributors at the plate in the Region Quarterfinals. Sparks went 6.2 IP in the series finale, while ‘22 RHP Cayden Shields, ‘22 INF/RHP Mason Lampe (Angelina College commit), and ‘22 RHP Ian Wirtz (uncommitted) combined for the victory in Game 1. 

Friendswood has a strong trio leading their rotation in ‘22 RHP Jacob Rogers (Texas Tech commit), ‘23 RHP Easton Tumis (Houston commit), and ‘22 RHP Griffin Kasemeyer (Alvin CC commit). With Friendswood sweeping all 3 rounds so far, Kasemeyer has been used in relief but has started during the regular season and was Game 3 starter in Regional Semis against College Station last year. Rogers has been the horse of this staff in the playoffs, with a 0.73 ERA in 19 IP in 3 starts. Offensively, ‘22 C Dylan Maxcey (Texas Tech commit) has once again caught fire in the playoffs, hitting .652/.667/1.174 with 7 doubles, 1 triple, 1 HR, 9 RBI.  ‘23 1B Boots Landry (Texas A&M commit) also has 9 RBI in the playoffs with 4 doubles, while ‘23 INF Collin Goolsby (HBU commit) was 4-for-7, 2 triples, 1 HR, 6 RBI in the Regional Quarterfinals against Crosby. 

 

Sinton vs. Tuloso Midway

Sinton looks to avenge their only loss on the season against a scrappy Tuloso Midway squad. Its well documented that Sinton is one of the best teams in the state regardless of class. In Sinton's defense of their loss, it was the last game of an early season tournament and pitching was thin on both sides and they dropped an offensive showdown 15-7. Look for Sinton to continue to play high level baseball on all sides of the ball and come out to prove something. The lineup runs 9 deep but no one is hotter than Jaquae Stewart (HBU). Stewart has been on an absolute tear this postseason going  8-15, 12R, 16RBI, 5BB, 6HR, 2-2B. I look for Sinton to continue their magical season and setup a regional final against Boerne or Calallen. 

 

Lubbock Cooper vs. Mansfield Legacy

Lubbock Cooper and Mansfield Legacy meet up this week after each had to go to a 3rd game last round.  Cooper lost the 1st game against Canyon Randall and rallied to win the next two.  Legacy won the 1st game and then won game 3 against a talented Birdville team.

Lubbock Cooper comes in with a 29-7 record with a 26-1 record in their last 27 games. They can win games on both sides of the ball. They can swing it and they can pitch.  On the mound they are led by 2022 RHP Caden Cline (Midland College), 2022 RHP Jude Cook (Angelo State), 2022 RHP Holt Gibson (Abilene Christian), and 2022 RHP Will Qualia. Offensively, they are led by 2022 OF Kyle Lewis (Midland College), 2022 1B Kyler Jordan (Baylor Football), Cook and 2023 OF Cutter Douglas.

Legacy comes in with a 28-7 record and is a well rounded team.  On the mound, they are led by 2023 RHP Blake Julius (Oklahoma State), 2022 LHP Drake Dowd (Navarro College), 2022 RHP Kayden Voelkel (Weatherford College), and 2023 RHP Parker Ibrahimi. Offensively they are led by 2023 CF Dylan Schlaegel (Dallas Baptist), Ibrahimi, Voelkel, and 2022 INF Given King.

Both teams have depth on both sides of the ball, making this a fun matchup.  They are scheduled to start their 3 game series on Friday at McMurry.

 

Abilene Wylie vs. Aledo

Both teams enter the 4th round with an unblemished record in the playoffs.  Both have been good offensively and on the mound.  This is set for a 3 game series starting on Thursday.

Wylie enters the series with a 25-5 record, and has been stingy giving up runs the latter part of the season.  They are led on the mound by 2022 RHP Trey Gomez, 2022 RHP Brooks Gay (Abilene Christian), 2025 LHP Tye Briscoe (Arkansas),  and 2022 RHP Grayson Bearden.  Offensively, they are led by 2022 C Landon Williams (Louisiana Lafayette),  2022 JT Thompson (Lubbock Christian), 2022 Garrett Graham (Midland College)  and 2024 OF Braden Regala.

Aledo comes into this round winners of 9 in a row and a 26-10 overall record.  They are led on the mound by 2022 RHP Hunter Rudel (Vernon College) and 2022 RHP Ethan Jaques (Western Texas College). Offensively, it all starts with 2022 OF Max Belyeu (Texas). The sweet swinging lefty can really hit and must be pitched carefully to.  Other notable guys to watch for are Jaques, 2023 Trace Mazon, and 2024 INF Ryan Jones (Baylor). 

 

Frisco Lonestar vs. Forney 

I’m not sure many people had this matchup heading into last week's round, but Lonestar took down Lovejoy and Forney came back and beat Corsicana late in the game in a winner take all 1 game series. 

Lonestar comes into this round with a 24-8 overall record fresh off taking down Lovejoy in 2 games.  On the mound,2022 RHP Dom Reid (Oklahoma St.), 2022 RHP Teague Rehwald (Northeast Texas CC) and 2022 RHP Tyler Bogusz (Grayson County) form one of the better trios of arms left in the playoffs. Offensively, 2022 Owen Peck has been on fire at the top of the order.  Other big contributors are Rehwald, Reid, 2023 MIF Chase Womack and 2023 OF Bennett Fryman (Texas A&M)

Forney was down 2-0 heading to the 5th last week and put up 3 runs and held on to a 3-2 victory. They have an overall record of 25-9-1.  On the mound, 2024 RHP Aiden Sims continues to elevate his game to the next level. 2022 RHP Ryan Dickey (Odessa College) and 2022 LHP Jake White (Tyler JC) have continued to pitch big innings for Forney all year.  Offensively, 2022 Josh Stephens gets things started at the top.  White and Sims have also been big at the plate.  2022 Trent McGee has also been big for the Jackrabbits. 

 This series could once again come down to the wire.  PBR Texas will be there Thursday for the Reid vs. Sims matchup


 

 

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