Now that the smoke has cleared from UIL Basketball action, it’s time to turn our attention to Frisco ISD baseball, as district play gets underway this week.
Frisco Liberty—2013: 26-12-2 Regional Finalist 2014: 14-3
Currently ranked 10th in the state, the RedHawks are once again looking strong before heading into district play. And if last week’s Frisco ISD Tournament is any indicator—The RedHawks beat Wakeland and Frisco High by a combined 4-0 score—then District 9-4A might just be Liberty’s for the taking. The 2014 RedHawks roster boasts seven 2013 All District players.
Key Returning Players: SR Josh Ryan (7-2, 1.81 ERA, 67 Ks, 5 saves), JR Robby Evans (5-3, 3.07 ERA, 49 Ks, 2 saves). SR OF Brian Simpson (.444/.522/.564, 31 RBI), JR INF J.T. VanGelder (.358/.473/.575, 20 RBI).
First District Game: VS. The Colony Cougars—Tues, 3/11 @ 7:30 PM @ The Colony
2014 Liberty Varsity Baseball Schedule
Frisco Wakeland—2013: 22-14-1, Regional Quarterfinalist 2014: 13-4
After losing to fellow 9-4A District-mate Prosper in the Regional Quarterfinals last season, the Wolverines return a solid core boasting one of the area’s top starting pitchers in Austin Gehle and one of the district’s finest hitters in Grant Devore. Wakeland has enough talent to be in the postseason picture once again in 2014.
Key Returning Players: Austin Gehle (10-2, 2.02 ERA), SR C Seth Mullis (Arkansas-Little Rock signee), hit .383/.472/.466 with 27 RBI, SR INF Grant Devore is the reigning 2013 9-4A MVP, after hitting .404/.545/.619, with 28 RBI last season.
First District Game: VS. Frisco High—Tues, 3/11 @ 7:30 PM @ Wakeland HS Baseball Field
2014 Wakeland Varsity Baseball Schedule
Frisco Centennial—2013: 25-12, Regional Quarterfinalist; 2014: 6-5-2
Last year’s District 9-4A champions, the Titans enjoyed a deep playoff run last season, and it took all three games for Frisco ISD contemporary Liberty to finally close the door on Centennial’s postseason. Head Coach Jason Wilson enters his 11th season with the Titans, and you’d better believe that last year’s District Coach of the Year will once again put a competitive team on the field.
Key Returning Players: SR OF Tanner Gardner (Texas Tech signee) will look to build on an outstanding junior season that saw him hit: .381 with 5 HRs and 24 RBI. SR 3B Sean Logan is back for his senior season after going .397/.526/.431 with 12 RBI as a junior.
First District Game: VS. Little Elm—Tues, 3/11 @ 7:30 PM @ Little Elm Lobos Field
2014 Centennial Varsity Baseball Schedule
Frisco High School—2013 (16-13) 2014: (11-6)
Head Coach Scott Cook recently earned his 600th career win, certainly one impressive feat. Few can argue that Cook, with his 36 years in coaching, is one of the most knowledgeable baseball men in the state. After just missing a playoff berth a year ago, the Raccoons have enough talent to be in the mix down to the wire.
Key Players: The Raccoons’ star quarterback, Jake Battaglia, switches from gridiron to diamond, providing a plus arm to a talented outfield. JR 2B Jake Stacy, a first team All District member from 2013, will look to build on a sophomore season that saw him hit .307/.410/.749 with 8 stolen bases.
First District Game: VS. Wakeland—Tues, 3/11 @ 7:30 PM @ Wakeland HS Baseball Field
2014 Frisco High Varsity Baseball Schedule
Frisco Heritage—2013: (9-13) 2014: (1-9)
After finishing seventh in District 9-4A last season, Head Coach Steve Purl has his work cut out for him this season. There is truly nowhere to go but up for the Coyotes Baseball Team. That being said, Heritage does have some solid ballplayers returning for the 2014 campaign.
Key Returning Players: SR INF/P Brandon Saddler hit .279/.343/.377 last season, and was the team’s top pitcher after going 8-3, 2.98 ERA with five shutouts. SO INF/P Aaron Weseman will look to be a top contributor on the hill this season. The 6’4” left-hander produced a 2.12 ERA over 31 innings pitched during his freshman season.
First District Game: VS. Prosper—Tues, 3/11 @ 7:30 PM @ Prosper HS
2014 Heritage Varsity Baseball Schedule
Frisco Lone Star—2013: (12-16-1) Bi-District Finalist 2014: (7-5-2)
Frisco Lone Star Head Coach Joel Franke has a very young and athletic squad to mold into a contender for the 2014 season. This year’s Lone Star team does have some playoff experience, as they made the postseason in ’13, narrowly being defeated by the Sanger Indians in the first round, 3-2.
Key Returning Players: Though technically not a returning player, since 2014 represents freshmen Jason Shelley’s first season of high school baseball, his contributions on the football field last fall make him a player to watch for the Rangers this spring. Another underclassmen—and top gridiron contributor—Austin De Leon, District 10-3A’s Offensive Player of the Year last spring, is leading the team in RBI with 14 while batting .302. SR Ben Collins, JR Gannon Sanders and SR Chad Rodriguez each earned All District honors in 2013.
First District Game: VS. Aubrey—Tues, 3/18 @ 7:00 PM @ Aubrey HS
2014 Lone Star Varsity Baseball Schedule
Frisco Legacy Christian Academy—2013: (20-7-1) 2014: (12-1)
After being ranked as the sixth-best TAPPS 3A team in the state a year ago, Head Coach Andrew Embry might have an even stronger Legacy Christian club this season. Embry’s team now boasts an All District member from one of 3A’s stronger programs.
Key Returning Players: JR Chase Moake—after starring in football and baseball while at Frisco Lone Star High—transferred to Legacy Christian for the spring 2014 semester. His presence is already being felt for the Eagles. Moake, whose fastball reaches the high 80s, is 2-0 with a 1.47 ERA, and 27 Ks in just 14.1 innings pitched. SR Hayden Dyer is off to a fantastic start as well, batting .476 with 15 runs scored.
First District Game: TBD
2014 Legacy Christian Academy Varsity Schedule
Be sure to check back right here, as Lifestyle Frisco will bring you weekly updates on all Frisco ISD baseball games.
