The improbable run of District 9-4A’s fourth-seeded Frisco High Raccoons has come to an end. However, the title hopes of the Frisco Liberty RedHawks’ are very much alive as they find themselves just a series win away from becoming just one of eight 4A teams vying for the 2014 UIL State Championship.
Liberty RedHawks Narrowly Escape Frisco High in Three
If you throw out the one-game laugher against Bryan Adams during Area, you’ll notice that the RedHawks have been using an age-old formula to win in the postseason: Just enough hitting and plenty of excellent pitching.
Coming into last week’s Regional Quarterfinals, Liberty had been averaging just 2.66 runs per game—yet allowing a near microscopic 1.66 rpg. This trend would continue against the Frisco High Raccoons.
Despite four errors from the ‘Coons, Frisco High was able to escape game one with a thrilling 5-4 win to stun the RedHawks and move themselves to within one game of advancing to the Sweet 16. But Liberty, down 0-1 just as they were in Bi-District against a salty Mesquite Poteet team, were able to bounce back in game two, to force a third and final game.
The rubber match was another instant classic—another fine example of the strength of Frisco ISD’s baseball teams, as the RedHawks had to go down to the wire to secure advancement to the Regional Semfinals. In true Raccoons fashion, Frisco High was relentless until the final pitch.
The Raccoons were cruising behind starting pitcher Brennen Fischer, who didn’t allow a hit until the fourth inning. Up 3-1 heading into the fifth, Frisco High had upset on their minds. However, the RedHawks got an RBI from Brian Simpson to tie it up 3-3, and then plated two more on a Judd Presley two-run two-bagger.
With two outs in the seventh inning, Frisco’s Andrew Miller hit a deep fly ball that almost left the yard for the tying run. Nevertheless, Prosper’s Green Monster kept the ball in the yard, and Miller had to settle for a double. With the tying run in scoring position, Michael Cantrell closed the game and the series with his third strikeout.
Up Next: Class 4A Region II Semifinals
Frisco Liberty (31-8) Vs. Hallsville (30-3)
This series has all the makings of a historic showdown. According to MaxPreps.com, the Hallsville Bobcats are the second-ranked 4A team in the state, and the Frisco Liberty RedHawks are hot on their heels, ranked sixth.
Just as Josh Ryan has been such a key to the RedHawks’ postseason success, the Bobcats rely on the right-arm of TCU-bound Conner Reich. In his last start, last Friday against Mount Pleasant, Reich reeled off 18 strikeouts while scattering just three hits.
The hard-thrower has shutdown stuff and isn’t afraid to use it; he’s a big part of why the Bobcats are picked by many to win a State Championship.
Game 1: Thursday, 7:30 PM @ Dallas Baptist University
Game 2: Friday, 7:30 PM @ DBU
Game 3: (if necessary) 4:00 PM @ DBU
