Four Frisco ISD high schools entered last week’s bi-district round of UIL baseball. And once the smoked cleared, three were left standing and ready to inch that much closer to Austin, and the area round of the 2014 UIL Baseball Playoffs…
Liberty Pillages Pirates in 3; Advance to Area
If ever there was a testament to the toughness of the high school baseball talent pool in North Texas, it was the Frisco Liberty RedHawks vs. Mesquite Poteet Pirates series.
Despite Brian Simpson’s 2-for-3 night—with a double and a triple—the RedHawks dropped game one of the best-of-three 4-3. Forcing back-to-back must-wins or it’d be a first-round exit from the postseason. Plus, since Poteet won the coin-toss, they had the advantage of home field throughout the series.
And as if that weren’t enough, the RedHawks would have to rely on their closer, Josh Ryan, to start the third game. Well, there were certainly some breath-holding moments but it all worked out well for Liberty.
All Wilson did was strikeout 10, while tossing a no-hitter en route to Liberty’s 3-0 win. His masterpiece tied the series up 1-1, and set the stage for the game three rubber match, which Liberty won in nail biting fashion, 2-1, sending the RedHawks to the Area Round.
Pitcher Michael Cantrell was almost as stellar as Ryan, as he tossed a CG sprinkling two hits with 4 Ks for the series-clinching win.
Fittingly, Wilson earned the Dallas Morning News’ Baseball Player of the Week honors.
Up Next: 4A UIL Area: Frisco Liberty (28-7) Vs. Bryan Adams (17-8)
The one-game playoff is a strategy often employed by coaches that have one dominant starter they feel supremely confident in. Against a team blessed with depth like Liberty, it’s understandable why Bryan Adams’ head coach Bob Allison decided on the one-game strategy. The Cougars will be seeking to stun the RedHawks much as Poteet did last week. Only this time, should Liberty falter in game one, it’s season over.
Game 1: Friday, 7:30 PM @ TBD
Frisco Raccoons Rout Carrollton Creekview; Claw into Area
It was a best-of-three for the Frisco Raccoons in bi-district against Carrollton Creekview. But all the ‘Coons would need was the first two, as they tub-thumped Creekview, outscoring them 18-3.
An impressive opening round for the ‘Coons—District 9-4A’s fourth seed—to be certain, as Creekview was District 10-4A’s Champion.
Parker Bell picked up the game one win, and key-igniters Brennen Fischer (2B, 3B) and P.J. Harris (2B) did their thing during the 12-hit outburst. Game two was more of the same, with Blake Welch picking up the win, and Mike Stephens taking one deep in the 9-2 victory.
Up Next: 4A UIL Area: Frisco High (20-13) Vs. North Dallas (19-8-1)
Now it’s on to UIL Area as Frisco High will look to take down District 11-4A’s second-ranked North Dallas. If the intangibles in this matchup come down to “want,” North Dallas had better watch out.
Game 1: Friday, 7:30 PM @ Reverchon Park
Game 2: Saturday, 1:00 PM @ Lake Highlands
Game 3 (if necessary): Following Game 2
Lone Star Rangers Down Decatur in 3
In game one of their best-of-three, Lone Star succumbed to a late really by the Decatur Eagles to fall 5-4; forcing the Rangers to win three-straight to stave off an early elimination.
With their backs against the wall, Head Coach Joe Franke’s Rangers plated 13 runs to take the heat off and force a third and final game. Highlighted by Austin DeLeon’s 4-for5 day and Chad Rodriguez’s 3 RBI output, the Rangers were riding high heading into the decisive rubber match.
In true cyclical fashion, it was time for the Rangers to rely on a late-game rally to win the game and the series. This time it was of the walk-off variety as the Rangers put the brakes on bi-district for Decatur by a final score of 3-2.
Up Next: 3A UIL Area Lone Star (17-11) Vs. Melissa (20-10)
For UIL Area, the Rangers have their work cut out for them as they take on District 12-4A’s top seeded team, Melissa. The Cardinals have faced Lone Star as recently as last February, when they shutdown and shutout the Rangers 8-0.
Game 1: Friday, 7:00 PM @ Al Alford Field in McKinney
Game 2: Saturday, 12:00 PM @ Al Alford Field in McKinney
Game 3 (if necessary): Following Game 2
