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Five local baseball teams take aim at lengthy runs in Class 5A playoffs
By DEVIN HASSON, dhasson@starlocalnews.com
As the Class 5A playoffs get started this week, 128 teams have dreams of a trip to the state tournament.
That includes a handful of local teams, who all feel they have reasons to be optimistic about making an extended run in the playoffs.
Rowlett earned its spot in the playoffs by once again defending its 10-5A championship to earn the top seed in the playoffs. Joining the Eagles from that district is Sachse, which finished in a tie for second place and will be the third seed in the postseason.
Here is a quick look at the Class 5A bi-district playoff match-ups.
Rowlett (22-7) vs. Sunset (16-13)
Game 1: Thursday, 5 p.m. at Rowlett
Game 2: Friday, 7 p.m. at Reverchon Park
Game 3 (if necessary): Saturday, 1 p.m. at Reverchon Park
Rowlett enters the playoffs as one of the hottest teams in the area, having won 12 of its last 14 games, including its last three to wrap up the 10-5A championship. The Eagles have made several long runs in the playoffs in recent years because they are a complete team and this year is no different.
Rowlett has one of the best 1-2 pitching punches around with Brett Byrum and Bradley Horn. Byrum, a four-year starter, has posted an 8-1 record against the top competition the Eagles have faced. Byrum has a 1.04 earned run average and has struck out 50 in 47 innings of work. Horn has nearly identical numbers, posting a perfect 8-0 record with a 0.95 ERA and 51 strikeouts. Colton Kalmus has a pair of saves and a 2.04 earned run average, while Luke Hamblin and Tyler Davis have each posted 2-1 records in spot starting roles.
While scoring on the Eagles has been a rough task, holding down the Rowlett offense has proven to be equally tough. The Eagles feature seven regulars hitting .360 or better with at least 20 runs batted in. Konner Kyser leads the team with a .457 batting average, while Jerad Fowler (.393), Jerad Wilson (.386), Horn (.386), Hamblin (.378), Blake Trahan (.377) and Conner Fikes (.360) are all tough outs. Horn, with two home runs and 27 RBIs, and Fikes, with a pair of homers and 35 runs batted in, have provided the most power.
Sunset has seven players hitting better than .300 but has not played as tough a schedule as Rowlett and squeaked into the playoffs after finishing fourth in 9-5A.
The Eagles have come close to their goal of making it to the state tournament in recent years but have fallen just short, including last year's run to the regional semifinals. This season, they are hoping to take the next step.
Mesquite (18-6) vs. Temple (16-14)
Game 1: Thursday, 7:30 p.m. at Tillery Field
Game 2: Saturday, 1 p.m. at Temple
Game 3 (if necessary): 30 minutes after Game 2
Mesquite captured the 11-5A championship and perhaps the biggest key was its pitching staff. The Skeeters allowed only one district opponent to score more than five runs and allowed three or less runs in eight their 10 games.
In the playoffs, pitching depth often becomes an issue if a series goes to three games, but that not be the case for Mesquite, who boast three quality arms.
Daniel Ferra has a number of big wins during the course of the year and has a 6-1 record with a 1.28 ERA. Ferra has also has come on in relief for a pair of saves. In addition to Ferra, Alex Lopez (5-0, 1.29 ERA) and Chris Tyra (4-1, 3.25 ERA) have each been successful as starters. Ferra, Lopez and Tyra each average better than a strikeout per inning.
Carlos Chavez leads the Skeeters in several offensive categories, hitting .449 with seven doubles, four triples and 13 stolen bases. Mesquite's pitching staff also does the job at the plate, as all are hitting .365 or better. Lopez is batting .441, Ferra has two home runs and 27 RBIs and Tyra has four triples and 14 stolen bases.
Although the Skeeters are the top seed from 11-5A, they should get a good test from fourth-seeded Temple, which comes from traditionally-tough 12-5A.
North Mesquite (17-14) vs. Belton
Game 1: Thursday, 7 p.m. at Belton
Game 2: Saturday, 1 p.m. at Copeland Field
Game 3 (if necessary): 30 minutes after Game 2
North Mesquite finished second in 10-5A with a 7-3 record, but was just a few plays away from being much better than that. The Stallions suffered a pair of one-run losses to district champion Mesquite and a two-run setback to Tyler Lee.
Now, North Mesquite turns its attention toward the playoffs as it hopes those closes losses fall in their favor.
The Stallions have a solid rotation. Matt Werry posted a 3-4 record, but that came against some of North Mesquite's top competition. Werry posted a 2.62 ERA in 42 2/3 innings. Steven Rosser was solid all season long, posting a 5-1 record with a 1.78 earned run average, while Dennis Harper was also 5-1 with a save.
Hunter Benavides leads the team with a .412 batting average and can provide some pop with eight doubles and a pair of home runs. Bobby Albair is hitting .369 and Werry is at .360 while also being a threat on the base paths with 22 stolen bases.
North Mesquite is just one year removed from winning one district game and is hoping their reversal of fortunes this season carries over into its series against a tough Belton team.
Sachse (22-7) vs. W.T. White (18-12)
Game 1: Thursday, 4 p.m. at Sachse
Game 2: Friday, 5 p.m. at W.T. White
Game 3 (if necessary): Saturday, 11:30 a.m. at Naaman Forest
Sachse might be one of the best No. 3 seeds in the playoffs. In addition to the Mustangs' impressive overall mark, they swept the season series with 10-5A champion Rowlett and all three of its district losses were one-run setbacks to playoff teams.
The Mustangs can do damage from anywhere in their lineup. Jeremy Hadley leads the team with a .441 batting average, while Eric Williams is close behind at .424. Payton Baumgartner, Kent Myers, Kyle Weatherly and Matt McKown are each hitting better than .300 with at least 12 runs batted in.
But Sachse will go as far as its pitching takes them.
Kyle Weatherly has been one of the top pitchers in the area, posting an 8-1 record with a 0.90 ERA. In 46 1/3 innings, Weatherly has struck out 59 batters. Zach Rawlinson is undefeated with a 4-0 record and a 2.67 earned run average, while Kaleb Greaux (3-1, 1.48 ERA) and Josh Lewis (3-1, 3.75 ERA) will also be called upon.
W.T. White had an impressive run through 9-5A, losing only three games to finish as the district runner-up. Sachse will have to be aware of Juan Riveria, who leads the team with seven doubles, four triples, three home runs and 26 runs batted in. Gustavo Ramos has been the workhorse on the mound with six victories, three saves and a 2.42 ERA in 63 2/3 innings.
The Mustangs are hoping history does not repeat itself in this rematch of last year's bi-district round. Sachse won the opener last season only two watch W.T. White rally back to take the series.
Horn (15-13) vs. Bryan
Game 1: Thursday, 7 p.m. at Bryan
Game 2: Saturday, 1:30 p.m. at Tillery Field
Game 3 (if necessary): 30 minutes after Game 2
Horn rallied down the stretch with three victories in its last four games to capture the fourth and final playoff berth from 11-5A. The Jaguars reward is a date with Bryan, the 12-5A champion.
Another good sign for Horn is that it seemed to be peaking down the stretch. The lone setback during the final four games was a one-run loss to district champion Mesquite.
Brian Obannon led Horn with a .408 batting average and added 10 stolen bases. Logan Trent, Jared Davidson and Jordan Brasuell each hit better than .300 with at least 20 runs batted in.
Davidson was the top pitcher for the Jaguars during the regular season with a 5-3 record and a 3.35 ERA. Clayton Youngman (3-3, 4.09 ERA) won the playoff-clinching game against Longview, but the depth of the pitching staff will be tested against powerful Bryan.
This is the fourth consecutive year Horn has made the playoffs, but are hoping to turn things around, having been swept in the first round in each of the last three seasons.
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