The 2014 UIL High School Baseball Playoffs are finally upon us, and there are three Frisco ISD schools poised to get the postseason underway. The road to Austin and the possibility of a State Championship begins now…
4A
Frisco Liberty (26-5) Vs. Mesquite Poteet (11-15)
Mesquite Poteet comes into this bi-district round matchup as a serious underdog. Poteet nabbed the fourth and final spot out of District 10-4A. The RedHawks, state-ranked for much of the season, and District 9-4A’s top-seeded team, have their work cut out for them.
The RedHawks are led by twin speedsters Brian Simpson (.439, HR, 30 RBI, 17 SBs) and Austin Miller (.390, 15 RBI, 25 SBs). The pace of the game—as well as the outcome—is dictated by these two plus-runners. If they get on base early and often, it could be a short series.
On the hill, Frisco Liberty is led by Josh Ryan (7-2, 0.67 ERA, 73 Ks). When Ryan is on, he combines pinpoint control (just 19 BBs) with upper-tier command and stuff.
Game 1: Thursday, 7:30 PM @ Poteet’s Copeland Field
Game 2: Friday, 7:30 PM @ Poteet’s Copeland Field
*Game 3: Saturday, 1:00 PM @ Poteet’s Copeland Field
* If necessary
Frisco Wakeland (22-9) Vs. Dallas Highland Park (20-11)
The Highland Park Scots finished second in a tight District 10-4A that saw the Carrollton Creekview Mustangs take the title. The Wakeland Wolverines were in a position to score a playoff berth all season long, and ended up getting the number three seed just behind Prosper and Frisco Liberty.
There is little question that if Highland Park and Frisco Wakeland had played in a weaker overall district, they’d both most likely be number-one seeds. But, baseball competition is particularly fierce in North Texas, so there you go.
The Scots’ Layne Looney is one of the Area’s top hurlers—anyone who disagree is just plain crazy. Looney is 9-0 on the year with a microscopic 0.58 ERA. And just for good measure, he has 96 Ks—in just 60 innings pitched…I’m willing to bet he’ll pitch game one.
Looney is also Highland Park’s top-hitter, going .397 with a HR and 9 RBI—it’s no wonder fans of Highland Park are coo-coo for Looney. Ryan Buss is not too shabby himself (5-1, 1.85 ERA, 52 K’s), and will likely toe the rubber in game two.
The Wakeland Wolverines are led by a strong pitching core with Cameron Yates (4-1, 0.97 ERA, 28 Ks), and Andrew Davis (2-4, 2.14 ERA, 40 Ks) providing punch on the bump. Although the Scots will be favored in this series, don’t be surprised if the Wolverines more than hold their own.
Game 1: Thursday, 7:00 PM @ Highland Park
Game 2: Friday, 7:00 PM @ Frisco’s Dr. Pepper Ballpark
*Game 3: Saturday, 1:00 PM @ Highland Park
*if necessary
Frisco High School (18-13) Vs. Carrollton Creekview (15-10)
Like Mesquite Poteet, the Frisco High ‘Coons snuck into the playoff picture with the fourth and final spot. Creekview was the top team in a tough district, and will certainly be favored in this best-of-three series.
Creekview owes its success to the age-old adage of “good pitching beats good hitting.” With the lights-out duo of Zach Rothert (5-2, 1.12 ERA, 60 Ks), and Brandon White (8-1, 1.48 ERA, 50 Ks), you’d better believe most hitters aren’t exactly chomping at the bit to get into the batter’s box.
When it comes to Frisco High, you can put the paper down, because the Raccoons don’t look like much in print. They excel at the game within the game, as they have a bunch of salty grinders that do all of the little things needed to scratch out tough wins.
With a sneaky-good offense led by P.J. Harris (.386, 3 HRs, 23 RBI) and the speedy Brennen Fischer (.366, 22 RBI, 23 SBs), don’t count out the Raccoons; because that’s exactly what they want you to do—so they can prove the world wrong.
Game 1: Thursday, 7:30 PM @ Frisco High
Game 2: Friday, 7:30 PM @ Carr. Creekview
*Game 3: Saturday, 2:00 PM @ Lewisville HS
*if necessary
3A
Frisco Lone Star (13-10) Vs. Decatur (13-13)
This bi-district showdown pits the second-seeded Decatur Eagles against 10-3A’s fourth seeded Lone Star Rangers—with every game being held at a neutral field.
The Rangers are led by Jerry LaSaint, who has had an excellent season, hitting .437 with 20 RBI. Gannon Sanders is Lone Star’s middle-of-the-order thumper, with two homers and a .364 BA. Watch out for multi-sport star Austin DeLeon, as he leads the team in stolen bases and has also driven in 19.
Game 1: Thursday, 7:30 PM @ Denton High School
Game 2: Friday, 7:30 PM @ DHS
*Game 3: Saturday, 2:00 PM @ DHS
*if necessary
