Baseball clinches playoffs spot – twice
Junior pitcher, Jarek Wells winds-up for a pitch during an early season game.
April 23, 2019
With the bases loaded, senior catcher Cameron Taylor takes to the plate.
Unfazed by pressure, ee stares down the timid pitcher and then “BOOM.” He sends the ball into the back wall, piling on another couple of runs. The fans go crazy as the team clinches its playoff spot.
At least they thought they did.
Baseball team battled New Braunfels in one of the most intense matchups of the season with a 11-8 win over the Unicorns. Going into the game, the baseball squad needed the win to clinch their playoff berth.
The Unicorns came out swinging, taking a 5-0 commanding lead over the Rangers in the early innings. The team battled back through a series of hits by seniors Canyon Martine and Cameron Taylor shrinking the lead 2-5. At the bottom of the third, the Rangers exploded for three runs with crucial hits coming from R.J. Carver and Preston Jones.
The team’s momentum grew on both offense and defense efforts, with New Braunfels lead getting shorter with each inning. The Rangers tied it up in the fourth inning, renewing their hopes for the playoffs. The Unicorns fired back with a series of scores from their own at the top of the fifth making the score 8-6.
The Rangers grabbed their first lead with outfielder Martine making big plays at bat with the bases loaded. The next inning, Taylor swatted the ball into the back wall making the final score 11-8 for the Rangers.
The celebration was shortlived as the Rangers learned their playoff berth was at risk.
During the East Central and Clemens game on April 3, East Central played an ineligible player. This forfeited the Hornets’ win over Clemens, leaving Clemens with a 7-5 overall district record.
What was just a seasoner closer turned into a do-or-die situation. The winner would be granted the final playoff spot in district. The team won in a blowout 7-1 win over the Buffaloes.
With a 14-16 record (8-5 district), the team plays Lake Travis in the first round of the state playoffs. The Cavaliers are one of the best teams in the state with athletes committed to play at Division I schools.