2022 Regional Quarterfinals Preview
May 18, 2022
TEXAS - Playoffs are in full swing in Texas and after eventful Bi-District & Area rounds, we move into the Regional Quarterfinals. With 32 teams left in each class, the competition is getting fiercer, the crowds are getting bigger and the stakes are getting higher. There are plenty of competitive matchups throughout the state in the 2022 Regional Quarterfinals, and today our scouting staff takes a look at their most anticipated matchups for this year's round of 32.
Coppell vs. Prosper
A rematch from last year's playoffs, these two teams matchup really well. Both have pitched well throughout the entire season and it has carried both of their teams through the playoffs so far. That's not to say there isn’t some offensive firepower on both teams. Coppell has 2023 SS/RHP T.J. Pompey (Texas Tech Commit) and 2022 C/3B Walker Polk (Baylor Signee) to lead them offensively, while Prosper has 2022 C Easton Carmichael (OU Signee) and 2025 C/RHP Luke Billings (Tennessee Commit) leading their charge. I’ve seen both of these teams quite a bit this spring, and it is going to come down to who makes the least amount of mistakes.
Keller vs. Midland Legacy
Keller is looking to get back to Round Rock, as they were State Runner Ups last year. They have the pitching depth, the offense and the experience to make another deep run. Midland Legacy has that guy named Chase Shores (LSU Signee) that will make them a favorite for at least one game. Last week Shores was up to 97 and the Slider looked better than I have ever seen. If Legacy gets the same pitching performance from the rest of the staff, we could be on Upset alert. Also, all 3 games are at Midland
Waxahachie vs. Rockwall
On paper, Rockwall has the depth advantage and would be the favorite in a 3 game series. But, this is a one game series and one of the hottest pitchers in the state has been 2022 OF/LHP Jared Thomas (Texas Signee). While he is known for his hit tool, Thomas has been nails on the mound lately. He has thrown 2 no hitters towards the end of the year and is capable of beating anyone. Rockwall has a lot of quality arms, it will be interesting to see how they deploy them in a 1 gamer. Brayden Randle (Texas Commit) leads the way for Rockwall offensively. There are some big names in this one, and with it being a winner take all 1 game series, the intensity should be there from the 1st pitch.
Rockwall Heath vs. Naaman Forest
Another one game series that makes this series interesting. The defending state champs would be the overwhelming favorite if it was a 3 game series. Heath has plenty of pitching depth, so it will be interesting if they start 2022 RHP Baylor Baumann (Houston Baptist) or 2022 RHP. Jonny Lowe (Mclennan). Naaman will rely on freshman LHP Xavier Mitchell. The JFG alum has been on fire in the playoffs and has the stuff to keep Heath at bay. But he will have to pitch to the #9 Player in the country, Jett Williams (Mississippi State). Heath got pushed to their limits last round, let's see how they respond.
Mansfield Legacy vs. Birdville
Could we get a Bedlam matchup on the mound? There is a possibility that Legacy could throw 2023 RHP Blake Julius (Oklahoma State Commit) vs. Birdville 2023 RHP Parker Hutyra (OU Commit). Julius is your typical Big Texan RHP while Hutyra has put up video game numbers this year with the wipeout slider. Legacy is led offensively by 2023 OF Dylan Schlaegel (DBU Commit) while Birdville is led by 2022 INF Hogan Shelby (Wichita St. signee) and 2022 C Will Bush (TJC Signee)
Lovejoy vs. Frisco Lone Star
This one is shaping up to be one of the better matchups in the state. There are high end arms on both sides that are capable of shutting down anybody. For Lovejoy it’s RHP Jack Livingston (Texas Tech Signee) and 2022 LHP Brandt Corley (Louisiana Monroe Signee). For Lone Star it is 2022 RHP Dom Reid (Oklahoma State Signee), 2022 RHP Teague Rehwald (Northeast Texas CC) and 2022 RHP Tyler Bogusz (Grayson County). Lovejoy has the edge offensively with the Branch brothers and Aidan Smith (Mississippi State Commit). I wouldn’t be surprised if this one came down to the last out.
Corsicana vs. Forney
Another matchup with some quality arms on the mound. Corsicana is led by 2022 RHP Zane Petty, who just committed to Texas Tech while typing this, had been signed with Mclennan. They also have 2023 RHP/C Brydan Hernandez who would be the ace for most teams. Forney is led by 2024 RHP Aiden Sims. The super sophomore has been electric at times this summer and his velo keeps rising. Whoever gets the job done at the plate, will win this series.
Van Alstyne vs. Celina
Now that we are in the 3rd round, some of these 4A matchups are getting saucy, and this one has a chance to be a fun game. It is a one game series, which helps even the field for Van Alstyne. I expect this game to be low scoring and it will come down to whoever gets the big hit. Celina has one of the deeper lineups in 4A, but Van Alstyne has some firepower as well, led by Dakota Howard (OU Commit).
Katy Tompkins vs. Ridge Point
Tompkins was handed their 2nd loss of the season last round but bounced back in a tough Game 3 against Lamar. The offense is going to be what carries this team as far as they can go, led by Texas A&M ‘22 commit Jace Laviolette, Ole Miss ‘23 commit Drew Markle, and Wichita State ‘22 commit Jack Little. After dropping Game 1 in the 1st round to Seven Lakes, Ridge Point has won 4 straight to get to this round. Texas A&M ‘22 commit Justin Vossos is hitting 8-14 with 2 2B and 5 RBI. Ridge Point’s pitching staff is led by ‘22 RHP Hunter Nichols (Frontier College commit), ‘23 uncommitted RHP Kellen Gradisar, and ‘25 LHP Texas commit Jack McKernan.
The Woodlands vs. Grand Oaks
Another rematch in Region Quarterfinals from last year between district rivals from District 13-6A, with Grand Oaks sweeping The Woodlands 2-0. Both teams are coming off of hard fought, 3-game series. The Woodlands won the season series 2-1 this season taking both games at home, with 2 of the games being decided by 1 run. Pitching staffs have been the strength of both teams this season. ‘23 Baylor commit LHP/1B/OF Brayden Sharp, ‘23 Houston Baptist commit RHP Ethan Coronel, ‘23 uncommitted RHP Tyler Sunseri, and ‘22 Louisiana-Lafayette commit DH/RHP Conner Doucet have been the arms most relied upon for The Woodlands while ‘23 Texas commit RHP/CIF Hudson Hamilton, ‘22 Ranger College commit LHP Daniel Collins, ‘22 Sam Houston State commit INF/RHP Noah O’Farrell, ‘22 Paris JC commit RHP Connor Kelley, and ‘24 uncommitted LHP Austin Dolezal have been the arm relied upon for Grand Oaks. The Woodlands has seen big hits and RBIs come from different parts of the lineup whereas ‘23 Rice commit SS Larry Drake had both game-winning hits for Grand Oaks in the previous, one walkoff in 7th inning and one go-ahead hit in the 9th. Expect to see tight, competitive games just like the regular season.
Brenham vs. College Station
Here was my matchup to look forward to in 5A. When these two teams last played, they went 12 innings with Brenham coming out victorious 10-4 with 6 runs in the 12th. That win for Brenham started them on their current 7-game win streak including sweeps of the 1st 2 rounds. Brenham’s offense has been led by ‘22 Seminole State commit OF Cade Warmke, ‘23 uncommitted OF Lane Sparks, ‘23 uncommitted 1B Jacob Mabie, ‘23 uncommitted INF Rylan Wooten. College Station has one of the top pitching staffs in 5A with ‘22 Texas A&M commit RHP Blake Binderup, ‘22 Rice commit RHP/1B Ryland Urbanczyk, ‘22 McNeese State commit RHP Luke Steward, ‘22 UT Dallas commit RHP Amar Tsengeg, and ‘25 uncommitted RHP/INF Holden Hering. ‘22 Northwestern commit MIF Michael Elko, ‘22 Houston football commit OF Dalton Carnes, and ‘23 uncommitted OF Rylan Deming have been leading the offense so far in the playoffs. This will most likely be an entertaining, back-and-forth series.
SA Clark vs. Lake Travis
Lake Travis and San Antonio Clark needed the full three games to make it past the second round and should be more than ready to face off against each other in Dripping Springs. Clark continues their hot streak building off a strong regular season finish and into the first two rounds of the playoffs. Behind a complete game from 2022 Cody Edwards (Midland JC) in game one, and a come from behind 7th inning rally in game three lead by strong offensive games from 2022 Josh Vaughn and Cody Edwards again, the Cougars should have plenty of confidence heading into round 3. Lake Travis is coming off a hard fought series with San Antonio Johnson and came away with a dominant game three, complete game two hit, performance with 2022 Kaeden Kent (Texas A&M) on the mound. Kent’s bread and butter isn't on the mound but he sure answered the bell when the Cavaliers needed it. LT is known for their pitching and defense and that's ultimately what separated them from the Jaguars in round 2. LT has plenty of experience and arms on the mound to go three games with anyone, lets see if they can make it through a sneaky tough opponent in the Clark Cougars
SA Reagan vs Smithson Valley
Reagan was dominant in round two last weekend. The Rattlers walked away with a 19-3 victory in game one, and a 4-3 victory in game two. The offense exploded early and often and didnt slow down in game one. Led by 2023 catcher Andrew Ermis’s (uncommitted) two home runs, four hits total, and six RBI. Cole Tabor and Ashton Beaird also notched three hits each that day. Game two proved to be much closer and ended with walk off fielders choice by 2023 Luke Sasser (uncommitted). Smithson went the distance against a scrappy Westlake team and wound up winning two- one run games. The Rangers proved to stay poised deep into the game when 2023 David De Hoyos (Texas Tech) notched a walk off single in the twelfth inning of game one. Smithson Valley only needed seven innings in game three but there was no lack of late inning drama once again. Up by two heading into the bottom of the seventh, Westlake finds a way to push across a run with a two out single but the hitter tried to advance to second base on a misplayed ball and was thrown out to end the game. Look for another well coached, well played series between two San Antonio powerhouses.
Georgetown vs New Braunfels Canyon
Georgetown is coming off two straight playoff series sweeps and are playing their best ball heading into round three. Game one needed extra innings, but a five run 9th inning proved to be too much for Floresville to overcome. Lead by a three RBI night from 2024 Ryley Leininger, and a three hit night from 2022 Zach Mazoch (Baylor), the Eagles offense found a way to get it done. Game two wound up 5-0 in favor of Georgetown behind a dominant performance from Jacob Hadden, going 6.2 IP with 2H and 8 strikeouts. Canyon is also coming off a strong round two performance with a clean sweep of Austin McCollum. The Cougars dominated the series scoring twenty runs and giving up just two. 2022 Ethan Garcia (Incarnate Word) only needed to go five shutout innings and the offense saw seven of the nine players notch hits in the 11-0 win. Game two was no different with the Cougars jumping out to an early lead hammering out 13 hits and 9 runs never giving McCollum much of a chance to come back. Georgetown is one of Central Texas’ blue blood programs and Canyon is loaded with a talented roster of experienced players, lets see who will win the much anticipated round three matchup
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