THSB

Covering High School Baseball throughout the State of Texas. Publishers of the THSB Preseason Magazine.

[THSB @TxHS_Baseball]

@HSballcoach10 @6ATxHSBaseball Thank you!

[THSB @TxHS_Baseball]

Thanks for all the help. I am now up to 48 new 6A Head Baseball Coaches for 2027. That is the most for 6A since we started in 2013. @6ATxHSBaseball

[THSB @TxHS_Baseball]

@joshjaw2 @6ATxHSBaseball Thank you!

[THSB @TxHS_Baseball]

@Jalvarbulldog @WestTxFrog @6ATxHSBaseball lol! Sorry about that Coach Alvarez!

[THSB @TxHS_Baseball]

Here is a list of 31 new 6A Head Baseball Coaches for the 2027 school year. Who am I missing? @6ATxHSBaseball

[THSB @TxHS_Baseball]

@WestTxFrog @6ATxHSBaseball Ugh. Right. Thanks

[THSB @TxHS_Baseball]

How do they rank statewide (all classifications)? The top 50 strikeout leaders for the 2026 baseball season.

Make sure to grab our 2026 stat package for the top 200 (AVG, H, 2B, 3B, HR, RBI, R, SB, W, K, ERA) from each classification across the entire state!

https://t.co/MFirZXNq3s

[THSB @TxHS_Baseball]

How do they rank statewide (all classifications)? The top 50 strikeout leaders for the 2026 baseball season.

Make sure to grab our 2026 stat package for the top 200 (AVG, H, 2B, 3B, HR, RBI, R, SB, W, K, ERA) from each classification across the entire state!

https://t.co/MFirZXNq3s

[THSB @TxHS_Baseball]

How do they rank statewide (all classifications)? The top 50 Wins leaders for the 2026 baseball season.

Make sure to grab our 2026 stat package for the top 200 (AVG, H, 2B, 3B, HR, RBI, R, SB, W, K, ERA) from each classification across the entire state!

https://t.co/XvUBJgXy8l

[THSB @TxHS_Baseball]

2026 TSWA/Blue Bell 6A All-State Team

Player of the Year: Cole Koeninger, Keller

Coach of the Year: Doug Rush, Tomball

https://t.co/JxLkqrRl2F

FIRST TEAM

Pitchers – Blake Cox, Dripping Springs, sr.; Cole Koeninger, Keller, sr.; Cooper Webb, Lake Travis, sr.

Relief pitcher – Xander Thacker, Boswell, sr.

Catcher – Jax Robinson, Waxahachie, sr.

First baseman – (tie) Tanner Garvin, Fort Bend Clements, jr.; Logan Brown, Keller, sr.

Second baseman – Kenson Buth, Byron Nelson, jr.

Shortstop – (tie) Samuel Kennedy, San Antonio Churchill, jr.; Lawson Behan, Houston Lamar, sr.

Third baseman – (tie) Chase Pearrow, Waxahachie, sr.; C.J. Sampson, Tomball, sr.

Outfielders – Jacoby Dutchover, Midland, sr.; Luis Olmeda, Oak Ridge, jr.; (tie) Crue Collie, Midland, sr.; Matthew Ortiz, La Joya, sr.

Designated hitter – James Jorgensen, Dallas Jesuit, sr.

Player of the year – Koeninger, Keller

Coach of the year – Doug Rush, Tomball

SECOND TEAM

Pitchers – Blake Edling, Tomball, jr.; John Reyna, PSJA, jr.; Grant Sperandio, Houston Memorial, jr.

Relief pitcher – Connor Davenport, Keller, sr.

Catcher – Roman Derichsweiler, Dallas Jesuit, jr.

First baseman – (tie) Ethan Schlotterback, Lake Travis, sr.; Payton Archibald, Frenship, soph.

Second baseman – (tie) Keaton Jeffcoat, Willis, soph.; Dereck Hernandez, Oak Ridge, sr.

Shortstop – (tie) Brooks Kowal, Dallas Jesuit, sr.; Evan Mauritzen, Houston Memorial, soph.

Third baseman – Ashten Ballew, Katy, sr.

Outfielders – Zach Clark, Clear Creek, sr.; CJ Hansford, Lake Travis, sr.; (tie) Kaleb Thomas, Atascocita, sr.; Graham Charboneau, Kingwood, sr.

Designated hitter – Matthew Mabry, Cedar Ridge, sr.

THIRD TEAM

Pitchers – Cooper Harris, Flower Mound, sr.; Roman Martinez, United South, sr.; (tie) Ty Higginbotham, Atascocita, sr.; Jayden Stewart, Katy, sr.;

Relief pitcher – Tyler Savers, Clear Creek, sr.

Catcher – (tie) Caine Chapman, San Antonio Reagan, jr.; Julian Guerrero, South Grand Prairie, sr.

First baseman – Nate Brown, Harker Heights, jr.

Second baseman – Grayson Albaugh, Bridgeland, sr.

Shortstop – (tie) David Munoz, Houston Lamar, sr.; Jackson Wooten, Atascocita, jr

Third baseman – Andrew Daigle, Bridgeland, sr.

Outfielders – Tanner Drda, Houston Memorial, sr.; Gannon Howard, Arlington, sr.; (tie) Nate Mancha, Odessa, jr.; Casey McGinnis, Hebron, sr.

Designated hitter – Jacob Pruett, Denton Guyer, sr.

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HONORABLE MENTION

Pitchers

Colby Caldwell, Waxahachie, sr.; Brady Chadwick, Dickinson, jr.; Hudson Holt, Rockwall, jr.; River Kirkhuff, Rowlett, sr.; Seth Martin, Harker Heights, sr.; Hudson Pierce, Waco Midway, soph.; Calvin Rippy, Tyler Legacy, jr.; Matt Smith, South Grand Prairie, sr.; Ross Sullivan, Cypress Woods, sr.

Reliever

Luke Sheeren, The Woodlands, sr.

Catchers

Jeffery Claycomb, Rowlett, sr.; Alex Garza, San Antonio Warren, sr.; Zeke Garza, PSJA, sr.; Catcher Hopkins, Tomball, sr.; Gabriel Roberts, Manvel, sr.; Reece King, Midland Lee, sr.; Jett Vindiola, Weatherford, sr.; Luke Zilafro, Houston Stratford, sr.

First basemen

Evan King, Little Elm, sr.; Cruz Romo, The Woodlands, jr.; Travis Sample, Mansfield, sr.; Zach Scheppler, South Grand Prairie, sr.; Cale Zips, Tyler Legacy, sr.; Noah Vrzal, San Antonio Sotomayor, fr.; Nathan Ultis, Jersey Village, sr.

Second basemen

Anthony Gonzalez, Prosper Rock Hill, sr.; Owen Harrison, Tyler Legacy, jr.; David Hernandez, Eagle Pass, soph.; Breydan Madeley, Dripping Springs, jr.; Josiah Romero, Odessa Permian, sr.; Colt Upchurch, Garland Sachse, sr.

Shortstops

Sebastian Castillo Aleman, Byron Nelson, jr.; Rylan Alaniz, Euless Trinity, sr.; TJ Ayala, PSJA, sr.; Landon Bonner, Hebron, soph.; Hector Cadena, Laredo United, sr.; Sebastian Castillo Aleman, Byron Nelson, jr.; Mason Fritz, Frenship, jr.; Selvin Garrett, Buda Johnson, jr.; Easton Mitchell, Flower Mound Marcus, jr.; Beckett Steele, Magnolia West, sr.

Third basemen

JP Briseno, United South, sr.; Vince Long, Denton Guyer, sr.; Christian Munoz, Dickinson, sr.; Jake Pardue, Dripping Springs, soph.; Orlando Rivera, Los Fresnos, sr.; Isaac Richardson, Houston Memorial, sr.; Kolaiah Staten, San Antonio Sotomayor, sr.

Outfielders

Daylon Brooks, South Grand Prairie, sr.; Brock Burkett, Keller, sr.; James Cansino, PSJA, sr.; Payne Cearnal, Arlington, sr.; Logan Chaix, Weatherford, jr.; Cannon Culp, Harker Heights, sr.; Arthur Darensburg, Mesquite, sr.; Pearson Fouts, Prosper, sr.; Rhyan Mongelli, Frenship, sr.; Justice Moore, Round Rock Westwood, sr.; Antonio Nunez, San Antonio Brennan, sr.; Gannon Plummer, Buda Johnson, sr.; Victor Salazar, Katy Paetow, sr.; Tyler Seith, Waco Midway, sr.; Jaeden Wilson, Allen, sr.; Scotty Zuehike, Katy, soph.

[THSB @TxHS_Baseball]

#1 – Keller’s First State Championship in Rob Stramp’s Farewell

Some championships are remembered because of the final score.

Others are remembered because of what they represent.

Keller's 2-1 victory over Lake Travis in the 2026 UIL Class 6A Division I State Championship wasn't just another state title. It was the culmination of nearly three decades of perseverance, excellence, and unfinished business. When the final out settled into the glove at Dell Diamond, it delivered the first baseball state championship in school history and the perfect ending for one of Texas high school baseball's most respected coaches.

For 28 seasons, Rob Stramp built Keller into one of the state's premier programs. Beginning in 1998, he established a culture of consistency that produced playoff appearances year after year, district championships, and hundreds of victories. Yet one accomplishment had always remained just out of reach—a state championship. Keller came painfully close in 2021, advancing to the championship game before falling to Rockwall-Heath by a single run. That defeat lingered, becoming motivation for a program determined to someday finish the journey.

The 2026 Indians answered that challenge with one of the finest seasons in school history. Keller finished 40-4-2, navigating a tough road in the playoffs. The Indians survived a gauntlet that included Mansfield Lake Ridge, Odessa Permian, Flower Mound, district rival Euless Trinity, Rockwall, and finally Lake Travis, proving week after week they could defeat elite competition.

At the center of Keller's championship run stood senior shortstop and right-handed pitcher Cole Koeninger.

Already recognized as one of the nation's premier two-way players and a Tennessee signee, Koeninger delivered the defining performance of his high school career on the biggest stage. Despite a hand injury that kept him out of the batting order, he took the mound in the state championship game and dominated. The senior allowed only two hits while striking out eight over 6⅔ innings, earning Championship Game MVP honors and cementing his place among Keller's all-time greats. Connor Davenport recorded the final out, and decades of anticipation instantly turned into celebration.

The symbolism of the moment was impossible to ignore.

Stramp, 72 years old, had spent a lifetime teaching the game, mentoring young men, and building Keller into a perennial contender. More than 750 career victories, 24 consecutive playoff appearances, and countless championships had already secured his legacy. But the one prize missing from his remarkable résumé finally arrived in the final game of his career. He retired exactly as every coach dreams—walking off the field a state champion.

Perhaps the most memorable reflection came not from Stramp himself, but from Koeninger after the championship.

"It feels unbelievable to be able to finally get it done for Coach Stramp in his last game. He deserves it more than anyone."

Those words captured what made Keller's championship resonate far beyond the city limits. It wasn't simply about a trophy. It was about players giving a beloved coach the perfect farewell after decades of dedication to the program.

Keller's championship also represented something larger in Texas high school baseball. Winning the state's largest classification requires surviving one of the nation's deepest and most competitive playoff fields. Every round presents another championship-caliber opponent. By emerging from that bracket, Keller validated itself as one of the premier teams in Texas and one of the best programs in the country.

Years from now, baseball fans may forget individual scores from the 2026 postseason. They may forget who collected the biggest hit in a regional semifinal or who struck out the final batter in an area-round series.

But they will remember Rob Stramp walking off the field for the final time as a state champion.

They will remember Keller finally reaching the mountaintop.

And they will remember that one of Texas high school baseball's most respected coaches saved the very best chapter of his career for the final page.

See all THSB Top 10 Stories at https://t.co/hYabLTtzOy

@Cole_Koeninger @KHS_Baseball

[THSB @TxHS_Baseball]

Championship teams are expected to rebuild.

Great programs reload.

No team embodied that truth better than Tomball in 2026.

Just one year after finishing as the UIL Class 6A Division II state runner-up, the Cougars entered the season with enormous expectations—and enormous questions. Gone were six starters from a team that had reached the state championship game in 2025, including several key contributors lost to graduation and transfer. Only two senior starters returned, leaving many to wonder whether Tomball could possibly sustain its remarkable run.

Instead, the Cougars authored one of the greatest seasons in Texas high school baseball history.

Tomball finished 43-1-1, captured its second state championship in three years, and spent much of the spring ranked as the No. 1 high school baseball team in America. The Cougars reached a third consecutive state championship game and further cemented their place among the nation's elite programs.

The season's defining stretch was a remarkable 38-game winning streak, a run that carried Tomball through district play and deep into the playoffs. Along the way, the Cougars completed the first undefeated regular season in school history, finishing 32-0-1 before the postseason even began. Their consistency was extraordinary in a sport where even the best teams routinely stumble.

Yet the true measure of a championship team often comes after adversity.

That moment arrived in the state semifinals against Flower Mound Marcus. After 42 games without a defeat, Tomball's unbeaten season ended with a dramatic 2-1 loss in Game 1. Suddenly, the pressure shifted. A season that once seemed destined for perfection now stood one loss from ending short of its ultimate goal.

Instead of folding, the Cougars revealed the resilience that defined their championship run.

They rallied to win the next two games, erasing early deficits in both contests to eliminate Marcus and earn another trip to Dell Diamond. Head coach Doug Rush later said the loss may have actually lifted some of the pressure surrounding the pursuit of an undefeated season, allowing his team to simply focus on winning baseball games.

Waiting in the championship game was Spring Branch Memorial.

Tomball left little doubt.

Led by Texas A&M signee C.J. Sampson, who delivered a complete-game masterpiece while striking out eight, the Cougars rolled to a 9-1 victory to secure the Class 6A Division II state championship. Sampson capped one of the finest two-way seasons in Texas, while sophomore Nolan Rush and a deep, balanced lineup demonstrated why Tomball had become the standard by which other programs were measured.

The championship completed a remarkable three-year run unlike almost any in recent Texas history.

From 2024 through 2026, Tomball posted an astounding 119-10-2 record, reached three consecutive state championship games, and won two state titles. Just as impressive, the Cougars proved their success wasn't built on one extraordinary senior class. After graduating a championship core, they simply developed the next wave of stars and kept winning.
Nationally, Tomball's accomplishments were impossible to ignore.
The Cougars spent much of the season ranked No. 1 in the country, finished No. 1 in at least one major national poll, and remained in the conversation for mythical national champion until the final rankings were released. For months, they carried not only the expectations of a championship contender but also the reputation of Texas high school baseball on the national stage.

Programs occasionally produce championship seasons.

Very few produce championship eras.

Tomball's 2026 campaign was more than another state title—it was the culmination of a three-year run that established the Cougars among the premier high school baseball programs in America.

See THSB Top Stories #2 - #10 at https://t.co/hYabLTt1Z0

@tomball_bsball @cj_sampson7 @NolanRush24

[THSB @TxHS_Baseball]

2026 TSWA/Blue Bell 5A All-State Team

Player of the Year: Lucas Nawrocki, Aledo

Coach of the Year: Chad Barry, Aledo

https://t.co/JxLkqrRl2F

FIRST TEAM

Pitchers – Andew Alvardo, Victoria East, jr.; Tyler Scarborough, Lovejoy, jr.; Landon Brown, Iowa Colony, sr.

Relief pitcher – Caligan Isley, Boerne, jr.

Catcher – Kason Kolle, Victoria East, sr.

First baseman – Lucas Nawrocki, Aledo, sr.

Second baseman – Owen Mansfield, Cedar Park, sr.

Shortstop – (tie) Connor Comeau, Austin Anderson, sr.; Andrew Gonzalez, El Paso Americas, sr.

Third baseman – Easton Autrey, Corsicana, sr.

Outfielders – Drake Bentke, Brenham, sr. Deacon Chase, Victoria East, soph. Austin Sluder, Amarillo, sr.

Designated hitter – Amari Maxwell, Pflugerville Weiss, jr.

Player of the year – Nawrocki, Aledo

Coach of the year – Chad Berry, Aledo

SECOND TEAM

Pitchers – Landon Collins, Friendswood, sr.; Jordan Garza, Corpus Christi Veterans Memorial, sr.; (tie) George Ferguson, Abilene, jr.; Trey Rangel, The Colony, sr.

Relief pitcher – Seth Webb, Azle, sr.

Catcher – Drew Cross, Mt. Pleasant, jr.

First baseman – (tie) Jayden Del Villar, Weslaco East, jr.; Santiago Soto, Sharyland, sr.

Second baseman – (tie) Daren Garcia, PSJA North, sr.; Landon Barnes, Aledo, sr.

Shortstop – Hudson Cuevas, Cedar Park, jr.

Third baseman – Cullen Scott, Melissa, soph.

Outfielders – Logan Corley, Lovejoy, sr.; Joseph Martinez, Palmview, sr.; (tie) Beaux Douthitt, Cleburne, sr.; Jacob Wilson, Beaumont West Brook, sr.

Designated hitter – (tie) Reese Butler, Melissa, sr.; Luke Jowers, Fort Worth Paschal, sr.

THIRD TEAM

Pitchers – Jacob Sainz, Leander Rouse, sr.; Jordan Andrews, Liberty Hill, sr.; Cade Ereckson, Georgetown, jr.

Relief pitcher – James Abrego, Weslaco East, sr.

Catcher – (tie) Lucas Smith, Lovejoy, jr.; Oliver Minyard, Dallas Wilson, sr.; Carson Sharp, Liberty Hill, sr.

First baseman – (tie) Jayden Cedillo, Amarillo, sr.; Max Satterwhite, Austin McCallum, sr.

Second baseman – Jake Munoz, El Paso Americas, jr.

Shortstop – (tie) Cole Flashnick, Highland Park, jr.; Jacob Soliz, Leander Rouse, sr.; Ben Reed, Whitehouse, sr.

Third baseman – Bentley Blinka, Victoria East, sr.

Outfielders – Luke Spielhagen, San Antonio Alamo Heights, jr. Nicolas Valdez, Sharyland, sr. Jackson Marshall, Montgomery Lake Creek, sr.

Designated hitter – JP Briseno, United South, sr.

HONORABLE MENTION

Pitchers: Ethan Coleman, Boerne Champion, jr.; Jaime Cordova, Palmview, sr.; Eli Curtis, Port Neches-Groves, sr.; Luke Esquivel, Grapevine, soph.; Ty Freeman, Burleson, sr.; Jackson Grimes, Boerne, sr.; Matthew Hernandez, Fort Worth Paschal, jr.; Carter Hoffman, Wichita Falls Memorial, sr.; Sergio Ibarra, Sharyland, sr.; Jack Jacob, Frisco Reedy, sr.; Matthew Reyna, SA Southwest, sr.; Aiden Shreve, San Antonio Pieper, sr.; Jake Snakenberg, Argyle, jr.; Cade Stuckey, Hallsville, sr.; Taegen Tate, Amarillo, soph.

Catchers: Luis Cienfuegos, Sharyland, sr.; Cortez De La Fuente, El Paso Americas, jr.; Jimmy Escajeda, Amarillo, sr.; Nate Eveler, Kingwood Park, sr.; Joshua Hernandez, Corpus Christi Ray, sr.; Osi Lopez, Palmview, soph.; Blayne Namken, New Braunfels, soph.; Bentley Seeberger, Lubbock Cooper, jr.; Dunn Smith, Hallsville, jr.; Connor Young, Georgetown, jr.

First basemen: Brody Bendele, Boerne Champion, sr.; Javier Garza, Palmview, soph.; Mason Gonzalez, Leander Rouse, sr.; Luke Hardy, Brenham, jr.; Jaxon Schramm, Montgomery Lake Creek, jr.

Second basemen: Jojo Adams, Whitehouse, jr.; Dylan Brown, Port Neches-Groves, jr.; Ashton Castillo, Lubbock Monterey, soph.; Xavier De La Cruz, Abilene, sr.; Owen Kuhl, Boerne, jr.; Aiden Rossana, Montgomery Lake Creek, jr.

Shortstops: Dylahn Bodkin, Kingwood Park, sr.; Keno Castillo, Ennis, sr.; Dylan Duran, Aledo, sr.; Bryan Garcia, El Paso Del Valle, sr.; Colby Garrett, Abilene Wylie, sr.; Nick Grissom, Frisco Memorial, sr.; Talon Jones, Amarillo, sr.; Conner Perkins, Corsicana, sr.; Landon Smith, Burleson, sr.; Benjamin Terry, Corpus Christi Flour Bluff, soph.; Joshua Viars, Prosper Walnut Grove, sr.

Third basemen: Austin Garritano, Boerne Champion, sr.; Mason Holleman, Azle, sr.; Ramiro Alex Leon, McAllen Nikki Rowe, soph.; Carson Johnson, Nederland, soph.; Chase Reaves, Birdville, jr.; Jon Reyes, Corpus Christi Veterans Memorial, sr.; Hank Rippy, Austin Anderson, jr.; Orlando Ruiz Jr., Corpus Christi Ray, sr.; Diego Villalobos, El Paso Del Valle, sr.

Outfielders: Jeiden Alfaro, San Antonio Southwest, jr.; Braxton Beaty, Angleton, sr.; Reed Blakely, Lovejoy, jr.; B.J. Brannon, Mount Pleasant, jr.; Joseph Bury, Leander Rouse, sr.; Cole Bush, Denton Ryan, sr.; Maddex Carrillo, Alice, jr.; Luke Gladchuk, Aledo, jr.; Sam Fitzgerald, Lufkin, soph.; Christian Martin, Hallsville, sr.; Seth Mayberry, Plainview, sr.; Preston Pearce, Smithson Valley, fr.; Wilson Sehnem, Aledo, sr.; Tony Solis, Weslaco East, sr.; Ryan Steele, Victoria East, sr.; Cooper Thomas, Georgetown, jr.; Peyton Trummell, Montgomery Lake Creek, sr.

[THSB @TxHS_Baseball]

#3 – Grady Emerson No. 2 Overall in MLB Draft

Every summer, dozens of Texas high school baseball players hear their names called in the Major League Baseball Draft.
Fort Worth Christian shortstop Grady Emerson was the second player to hear that this year when the Tampa Bay Rays selected him with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2026 MLB Draft, making him one of the highest-drafted high school players in Texas history and the state's biggest draft story of the year.

For years, Emerson had been viewed as one of the nation's premier amateur prospects. Scouts raved about his smooth left-handed swing, advanced approach at the plate, athleticism, and ability to remain at shortstop at the professional level. By the time draft day arrived, many evaluators considered him the most talented player available, and there was legitimate speculation that he could be the No. 1 overall selection. Instead, the Rays wasted little time making him the second player chosen, calling him the "best available player" with the highest ceiling in the draft.
Emerson's senior season only strengthened that reputation.

After transferring from Argyle to Fort Worth Christian and playing under former Major League outfielder Rusty Greer, Emerson put together one of the finest offensive seasons in the country. He batted .532 with a .648 on-base percentage, a 1.013 slugging percentage, seven home runs, and 21 stolen bases while leading the Cardinals to the TAPPS Division II state championship game. His performance earned him Baseball America's High School Player of the Year honors and further solidified his standing as the nation's top prep prospect.

The Rays weren't simply drafting statistics.
They were investing in a player many scouts believe has the tools to become a franchise cornerstone. Emerson's polished hit tool has drawn comparisons to some of baseball's brightest young stars, while his defensive instincts and strong arm are expected to keep him at shortstop throughout his professional career. Tampa Bay officials praised not only his talent but also his work ethic, character, and competitive makeup—qualities they believe fit perfectly within the organization's culture.

Just days after the draft, Emerson agreed to a $9.75 million signing bonus, the largest ever awarded to a high school player at the time and the second-largest draft bonus in MLB history. The agreement underscored just how highly the Rays valued the Texas standout and confirmed what scouts had believed for years: Grady Emerson was one of the premier amateur talents in the country.

While Texas celebrated another outstanding year of high school baseball, Emerson's selection served as a reminder that the Lone Star State continues to produce some of the game's brightest future stars.

His journey from Argyle to Fort Worth Christian, from Team USA to the MLB Draft stage, became one of the defining stories of the 2026 season.

For one unforgettable evening in July, all eyes in the baseball world turned to a young shortstop from Texas.

@fwcbaseball_ @Turn2Grady @rgreerbaseball

See the THSB Top Stories #3 - #10 at https://t.co/2TZ6lWP2w6

[THSB @TxHS_Baseball]

For six innings, it appeared history was about to repeat itself.

One year after falling to Corpus Christi Calallen in the UIL Class 4A Division I State Championship, Texarkana Pleasant Grove found itself trailing the Wildcats once again on the biggest stage. Calallen ace Collier Carroll was brilliant, striking out 11 batters and carrying a 1-0 lead into the bottom of the seventh inning. The Hawks had managed just two hits all afternoon, and legendary Calallen head coach Steve Chapman seemed poised to capture his fifth state championship.

Then came one of the most improbable finishes in Texas high school baseball history.

Pleasant Grove's final rally began with a leadoff walk. A perfectly placed bunt put pressure on Calallen's defense, and an errant throw suddenly moved two runners into scoring position. A ground ball to second scored Christian May and the game was tied. An intentional walk put runners on 1st and 3rd setting the stage for an unforgettable finish. With the winning run just 90 feet away, a pitch skipped away from the catcher, allowing Walker Wright to race home with the winning run and touch off a wild celebration at Dell Diamond. Pleasant Grove had scored two runs in the bottom of the seventh without recording a hit, completing a stunning 2-1 walk-off victory.

The dramatic ending was made even sweeter by the circumstances.

The championship game was a rematch of the 2025 state final, won by Calallen, and the victory gave the Hawks the redemption they had been chasing for an entire year. It also denied one of Texas high school baseball's most accomplished coaches another championship while delivering Pleasant Grove its first state title since 2020 and the program's fifth overall.

Senior Hunter Rose, one of Texas' premier two-way players, matched Calallen's Carroll pitch for pitch throughout the afternoon before earning Championship Game MVP honors. Although the box score will always show only two hits for the Hawks, the game became a reminder that championships are often won by resilience, execution, and capitalizing on opportunity rather than offensive fireworks.

Long after the statistics fade, fans will remember the final inning.

A walk.

A bunt.

An error.

An RBI groundout.

A passed ball.

Five simple plays combined to produce one of the most memorable endings of the 2026 season.

You can find THSB Top Stories #4 - #10 at https://t.co/hYabLTt1Z0

@HunterRose1919 @cmay2026 @WalkerW40497762

[THSB @TxHS_Baseball]

2026 TSWA/Blue Bell 4A All-State Team

Player of the Year: Hunter Rose, Pleasant Grove

Coach of the Year: Riley Fincher, Pleasant Grove

https://t.co/JxLkqrRl2F

FIRST TEAM

Pitchers – Hunter Rose, Texarkana Pleasant Grove, sr.; Collier Carroll, Calallen, sr.; Evan O’Connor, Brock, sr.

Relief pitcher – Caiden Kelly, Frisco Panther Creek, sr.

Catcher – Dallin DeBellas, Calallen, sr.

First baseman – Casen Cooley, Katy Freeman, soph.

Second baseman – Trot Jordan, Stephenville, jr.

Shortstop – (tie) Spencer Browning, Texarkana Pleasant Grove, sr.; Drayson Gamez, Calallen, sr.

Third baseman – Ty Rigsby, Bullard, sr.

Outfielders – Drayton Mitchell, Calallen, sr.; Reece Watzl, Midland Greenwood, jr.; Reese Rusher, Calallen, sr.

Designated hitter – Zaccariah Morales, Tuloso-Midway, sr.

Player of the year – Rose, Pleasant Grove

Coach of the year – Riley Fincher, Pleasant Grove

SECOND TEAM

Pitchers – Kage Korenek, Bullard, sr.; Cayden Birkes, Waco Robinson, sr.; Dawson Stokan, Frisco Panther Creek, soph.

Relief pitcher – Will Haferkamp, China Spring, sr.

Catcher – Angelo Aprea, Needville, jr.

First baseman – (tie) Blake Quinn, Calallen, jr.; Ethan Tucker, Benbrook, sr.

Second baseman – Christian May, Texarkana Pleasant Grove, sr.

Shortstop – (tie) Carson Allen, Canyon, sr.; Connor Davis, Sinton, jr.

Third baseman – (tie) Luis Garcia, North Dallas, jr;. Brady James, Gatesville, sr.

Outfielders – Miles Tull, Gatesville, sr.; Joe Randell, Glen Rose, sr.; Elijah Vasquez, West Plains, sr.

Designated hitter – Noah Vaquez, West Plains, sr.

THIRD TEAM

Pitchers – Ceylan Williams, Lufkin Hudson, jr.; Carson Herlehy, Celina, sr.; Mason Barnes, Spring Hill, sr.

Relief pitcher – Ryder Lange, Gilmer, jr.

Catcher – (tie) Jackson Gonzalez, Lubbock Cooper-Liberty, sr.; Oliver Minyard, Dallas Wilson, sr.

First baseman – (tie) Tabor Anderson, Godley, jr.; Jaden Smith, Tuloso-Midway, sr.

Second baseman – (tie) Casen Conlon, Lorena, soph.; Bryce Vasquez, Waco Robinson, jr.; Carlos Rojas, El Paso Riverside, jr.

Shortstop – (tie) Jacob Lessman, China Spring, jr.; Arik Alcala, San Antonio Davenport, jr.

Third baseman – Grayson Martindale, Andrews, sr.

Outfielders – Hudson Brown, China Spring, soph.; Luke Cody, Lumberton, jr.; Toby White, Huffman Hargrave, sr.

Designated hitter – (tie) Brix Machen, Hereford, jr.; Braydon Wisener, Huffman Hargrave, sr.

HONORABLE MENTION

Pitchers

Cotton Crawford, Bellville, jr.; Caden Hill, Decatur, sr.; William Hollifield, Mineral Wells, jr.; Brayden Naegele, Salado, jr.; Jackson Parker, Lindale, sr.; Weston Pickard, Brock, jr.; Brayden Playfair, San Antonio Davenport, jr.; Jonah Poenitzsch, El Campo, soph.; Bayler Schilling, Canyon, sr.; Carlos Trevino, Tuloso-Midway, soph.; Braydon Wisener, Huffman Hargrave, sr.; Walker Wright, Texarkana Pleasant Grove, sr.

Catchers

BJ Amann, Salado, sr.; Eli Emery, Spring Hill, sr.; Eleazar Hernandez Jr., Somerset, sr.; Caden Hill, Decatur, sr.; Aaron Jackson, Frisco Panther Creek, jr.; Braxton May, Mineral Wells, soph.; Layton Murrell, Springtown, sr.; Braxon Roberts, Brock, jr.; Brooks Soape, Carthage, sr.; Braxton Spohn, Godley, jr.

First basemen

Trenton Beall, Spring Hill, sr.; Hudson Bystrek, El Campo, soph.; Anthony Frausto III, San Antonio Davenport, soph.; Slade Landry, Bridge City, jr.; Aiden Lozano, Robstown, sr.; James Mahoney, Decatur, sr.; Jaden Moreno, Floresville, sr.; Noah Rosas, Navarro, sr.; Tripp Snider, Van Alstyne, sr.; Trey Waters, Salado, sr.; Beckam Whiteside, Midland Greenwood, jr.

Second basemen

Andrew Bellino, Canyon, jr.; Austin Davidson, Navarro, sr.; Jake Drabek, El Campo, jr.; Connor McCurley, Van, sr.; Matsyn Morris, Silsbee, sr.; Jackson York, Lago Vista, jr.

Shortstops

Austin Beyer, Floresville, sr.; Jackson Bystrek, El Campo, jr.; Colby Garrett, Abilene Wylie, sr.; Kord Henry, Mineral Wells, sr.; Canon Lightfoot, Brock, sr.; Bryce Nixon, Huffman Hargrave, sr.; Zane Thomas, Manor New Tech, jr.; Luke Tucker, Krum, sr.; Ian Velasquez, Giddings, sr.

Third basemen

Canon Causey, Spring Hill, fr.; Barrett Fallon, San Antonio Davenport, sr.; RJ Gomez, Big Spring, sr.; Rudy Marquez, Livingston, sr.; Talon McIntosh, Caddo Mills, sr.; Jaydon Ortiz, Needville, jr.; Kalub Ramirez, Hereford, sr.; Gavin Recoder, El Paso Riverside, sr.; Asher Strait, Brock, jr.; Carlos Trevino, Tuloso-Midway, soph.

Outfielders

Travis Allen, Spring Hill, sr.; Dylan Arriaga, Sinton, jr.; Christopher Bravo, Diamond Hill-Jarvis, sr.; Will Hutson, Lubbock Cooper-Liberty, sr.; Hudson Leonard, Sunnyvale, jr.; Shaun Malone, Waxahachie Life, sr.; Justin Muegge, Gatesville, sr.; Caden Ray, Frisco Panther Creek, jr.; Brogan Sims, Mineral Wells, sr.; Davin Sodolak, Bellville, sr.; Ashton Sumrall, Bridge City, sr.; Twister Wilson, Sanger, sr.; Jackson Youngblood, Hardin-Jefferson, sr.

[THSB @TxHS_Baseball]

#5 – Josh Gaitan's 221-Strikeout Season Moves into the Record Books

Strikeouts have always been one of baseball's most exciting statistics.

Every one represents a battle won between pitcher and hitter.

No one won more battles in 2026 than Charlotte senior Josh Gaitan.

With an astonishing 221 strikeouts in just 17 appearances, Gaitan not only led Texas—he led the entire nation, recording the highest single-season strikeout total by any high school pitcher in the United States in more than a decade. His remarkable season placed him on the same list with legendary Texas pitchers such as Nolan Ryan and David Clyde on the state's all-time single-season strikeouts.

What made the accomplishment even more impressive was the era in which it occurred.

Modern pitch-count regulations and postseason limitations have made 200-strikeout seasons increasingly rare. In fact, no high school pitcher in the country had reached the 200-strikeout milestone since 2014. Gaitan didn't merely surpass that mark—he finished with 221 strikeouts, nearly 100 more than most of the state's elite pitchers.

Dominance became routine throughout the spring.

Gaitan recorded double-digit strikeouts in 13 of his 17 outings, including an incredible 21-strikeout performance against Knippa. On five different occasions he struck out at least 17 batters, routinely overpowering opposing lineups with a devastating combination of velocity, movement, and command.

His brilliance wasn't limited to the mound.

The Charlotte ace also starred at the plate, batting .531 with 43 hits, 17 doubles, eight home runs, 43 RBIs, and 20 stolen bases, proving he was one of Texas' premier two-way players. On the mound, he paired his strikeout total with a sparkling 0.56 ERA, making him one of the most complete players in the state regardless of classification.

Although Charlotte's playoff run ended in the regional quarterfinals, Gaitan's season had already secured its place in Texas high school baseball history. Every outing became a chance to witness another milestone as his strikeout total climbed into territory few pitchers have ever reached.

You can find THSB Top Stories #5-#10 at https://t.co/hYabLTt1Z0

[THSB @TxHS_Baseball]

#6 – Grapevine's Championship Quest Ends Before It Begins

No story during the 2026 Texas high school baseball season shocked fans more than what happened on April 29.

Just hours before opening the UIL Class 5A Division II playoffs, two-time defending state champion Grapevine was suddenly removed from the postseason after Grapevine-Colleyville ISD self-reported that an ineligible player had participated during the regular season. Under UIL rules, the minimum penalty required the forfeiture of every game in which the player had competed, ending the Mustangs' season before a single playoff pitch was thrown.

The timing made the news even more stunning.

Grapevine entered the playoffs with a 28-3 record, the District 6-5A championship, and the No. 1 ranking in Class 5A. The Mustangs were widely considered one of the favorites to win another state title and were chasing something no Texas baseball program had accomplished since Brenham won three consecutive championships from 1986-88—a UIL baseball three-peat.

Instead, one of the state's premier programs watched its season end from the sidelines.

The decision immediately reshaped the entire 5A playoff bracket. Teams that had expected to battle Grapevine suddenly found a much different road to Dell Diamond, while the Mustangs' remarkable pursuit of history came to an abrupt and heartbreaking conclusion. Across Texas, coaches, players, and fans debated the ruling, making it one of the most talked-about stories of the postseason's opening week.

To Grapevine's credit, the district acknowledged the violation after its investigation and accepted the consequences required under UIL rules. The decision reflected the difficult balance between competitive success and maintaining the integrity of high school athletics—a reminder that every program, regardless of its accomplishments, is held to the same standards.

While conversation gradually shifted back to the games being played, the impact of Grapevine's absence never completely disappeared. Every round of the 5A playoffs carried the lingering question of what might have been had the defending champions been on the field.

THSB Top Stories #6 - #10 can be found at https://t.co/hYabLTt1Z0

[THSB @TxHS_Baseball]

Player of the Year: Will McIntire, Boyd

Coach of the Year: Brad McIntire, Boyd

https://t.co/JxLkqrRSSd

FIRST TEAM

Pitchers – Will McIntire, Boyd, jr.; Jake Ivey, Gunter, jr.; (tie) Lane Beacham, Boyd, soph.; Brendan Fitzgerald, Huntington, jr.

Relief pitcher – (tie) Ryan Aguilar, Jourdanton, soph.; Walker Anderson, Franklin, sr.

Catcher – (tie) Stephen Webber, Boyd, jr.; Gerrit Boschma, Shallowater, sr.

First baseman – Wade McConnell, Bushland, sr.

Second baseman – Keelan Clary, Boyd, sr.

Shortstop – Aiden Salinas, Corpus Christi London, jr.

Third baseman – Reid Ballard, Wall, sr.

Outfielders – Hagyn Barbee, Wall, sr.; Owen Moore, Grandview, sr.; Dylan Stallones, Franklin, jr.

Designated hitter – Huck Schoenvogel, Marion sr.

Player of the year – McIntire, Boyd

Coach of the year – Bradley McIntire, Boyd

SECOND TEAM

Pitchers – AJ Ramirez, Iowa Park, jr.; Colton Walker, Paradise, sr.; (tie) CJ McNeill, Iowa Park, soph.; Colt Bullard, Tatum, sr.

Catcher – Carter Mara, Paradise, sr.

First baseman – Cason Martinez, Troy, jr.

Second baseman – (tie) Jacob Braden, Wall, sr.; JJ Villegas, Corpus Christi London, jr.

Shortstop – (tie) Mason Matt, Comfort, sr. Maddox McDonald, Shallowater, sr.

Third baseman – Gael Silva, Lyford, sr.

Outfielders – Cash Watson, Paradise, sr.; Diego Villegas, Raymondville, sr.; Tyler LeBouf, Franklin, jr.

Designated hitter – Elijah Webber, Boyd, sr.

THIRD TEAM

Pitchers – Rylan Brown, Shallowater, sr.; Kellan Oliver, Wall, sr.; (tie) Garner Rodriguez, Nacogdoches Central Heights, sr.; Wayne Tipton, Columbus, sr.

Catcher – (tie) Mason Hill, Lytle, jr.; Christian Olivares, Corpus Christi London, sr.

First baseman – Wyatt Gavit, Jacksboro, sr.

Second baseman – Henry Pfluger, Blanco, soph.; Mason Sherman, New Diana, sr.

Shortstop – Derek Vasquez, Falfurrias, sr.

Third baseman – Matthew Johnson, Orangefield, sr.

Outfielders – Colton Patton, Boyd, sr.; Colton Strickland, Bushland, sr.; (tie) Wyatt Wallace, Malakoff, sr.; Colt Copeland, Troy, jr.

Designated hitter – Wyatt Jost, Wall, sr.

HONORABLE MENTION

Pitchers

Devin Cordova, Lytle, sr.; Keoni Dutchover, Odessa Compass, sr.; Barrett Irwin, Goliad, jr.; Lincoln Krause, Bushland, soph.; Drake Howard, Chisum, sr.; Mason Lillard, Rockdale, sr.; AJ Phillips, Franklin, jr.

Catchers

Grant Adcock, Tatum, sr.; Kane Decker, Iowa Park, sr.; Jackson Garvel, East Bernard, sr.; Creed Rainer, Gunter, sr.

First basemen

Kaden Caka, Goliad, jr.; Andre Cisneros, Falfurrias, sr.; Austin Erickson, Ponder, sr.; Kaelen Freitag, Shallowater, jr.; Christopher Galvan, Rio Hondo, sr.; Levi Green, New Diana, sr.; AJ Phillips, Franklin, jr.; Garner Rodriguez, Nacogdoches Central Heights, sr.; Brody Tribe, Columbus, sr.; Dax Williams, Corpus Christi London, soph.

Second basemen

Aidan Arreola-Andalon, Bishop, sr.; Joseph Barrios, Taft, sr.; Blake Boland, Gunter, jr.; Nico Chapa, Jourdanton, fr.

Shortstops

Ripken Birdwell, Hooks, sr.; Kaison Bivins, Odessa Compass, soph.; Ryder Bowers, Mount Vernon, sr.; Kael Brentham, Troy, sr.; Toby Davila, Lytle, sr.; Ty Grigar, East Bernard, sr.; Brayden Holster, Iowa Park, sr.; Cayden Humphrey, Pottsboro, sr.; Barrett Irwin, Goliad, jr.; Major Luna, Poth, sr.; Justin Rodriguez, Raymondville, soph.

Third basemen

Tristan Barton, Gunter, fr.; Noel Reta, Raymondville, sr.; Coy Strange, Goliad, soph.

Outfielders

Marcus Flores, Rio Hondo, sr.; Kieran Gill, Anderson-Shiro, sr.; Cy Henke, Goliad, jr.; Rylan Jephcott, Shallowater, sr.; Aiden Rodriguez, Coahoma, fr.; Brody Willard, Rockdale, sr.; Cristian Villegas, Corpus Christi London, fr.

DH

Koby Haynes, Whitney, jr.