Convenience Big Store: State baseball: Son of former Astros pitcher leads Tomball

June 6, 2024

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Sophomore C.J. Sampson, son of former Astros pitcher, hoping to lead Tomball to state tournament glory

As the Tomball baseball team heads to Round Rock for the UIL state tournament, the No. 3 nationally-ranked Cougars are confident. They have a talented lineup and a pitching staff that has delivered all season long.

One of those pitchers is sophomore C.J. Sampson, the son of former Astros pitcher Chris Sampson. C.J. is expected to take the mound for his team's Class 6A semifinal matchup against San Antonio Johnson on Friday. It'll be a neat experience for Chris, who once pitched on the same field at Dell Diamond as a member of the Astros' former minor league affiliate, the Round Rock Express.

Read more about the Sampsons' father-son relationship in our feature story from Dennis Silva.

More state baseball

Pitching key to Mustangs' playoff run: Magnolia West won the Class 5A state championship last year behind the talented pitching arms of James Ellwanger and Caylon Dygert. But both of those players were lost to graduation, and new faces have been critical to the Mustangs' continued postseason success.

Experienced arms lead Pearland once again: Pitching was a strength for Pearland last season as the Oilers finished as the Class 6A runners-up. With Nico Partida, Jaden Barfield and company leading the charge, the team is hoping for a different final result this time around.

Follow all our coverage at houstonchronicle.com/highschoolsports.

Jon Poorman, High School Sports Editor

jpoorman@houstonchronicle.com

Top stories

Senior catcher Cade Arrambide, an LSU commit, has a .416 batting average and .550 on-base percentage for Tomball this season.

Photo by: Courtesy Of Jason Mandujano

How Tomball became the country's No. 3-ranked high school baseball team.

Premier talent and a bond years in the making have the Cougars two wins from a Class 6A state championship.

Pearland starting pitcher Nico Partida (1) reacts after striking out Cy-Fair's Bo Caraway for the final out of the seventh inning to take a 5-1 win in Game 3 during a Region III-6A championship series at Constellation Field, Saturday, June 1, 2024, in Houston. Pearland advanced to next week's UIL State Baseball Tournament.

Photo by: Jason Fochtman, Staff Photographer

Breaking down UIL state semifinal matchups for Pearland, Tomball and Magnolia West.

As the Houston area has three teams once again at the state baseball tournament, here's a look at the semifinal matchups for Pearland, Tomball and Magnolia West.

Tomball catcher Cade Arrambide has signed with LSU, but this year's MLB draft might alter that plan.

Photo by: Courtesy Jason Mandujano

UIL state baseball tournament: 10 players to watch this week in Austin area.

As the UIL state tournament begins in the Austin area this week, a look at 10 of the top players competing for state championships.

Pearland's Cade Adams (13) reacts toward the dugout hitting a single in the second inning of Game 3 during a Region III-6A championship series at Constellation Field, Saturday, June 1, 2024, in Houston.

Photo by: Jason Fochtman, Staff Photographer

Texas high school baseball: UIL state tournament schedule.

The UIL baseball state tournament will be played in Austin and Round Rock Wednesday-Saturday.

Shout out

Winn returns home

Former Kingwood standout Masyn Winn made his Minute Maid Park debut for the St. Louis Cardinals on Monday night against the Astros. It was an exciting occassion for Winn, who got an infield single off Houston starter Justin Verlander. Entering Monday, Winn led all rookies in batting average (.299) and on-base percentage (.348) and was second in hits (50). His recent 18-game hitting streak was the longest for a Cardinals rookie since Joe McEwing's 25-game run in 1999.

Stat of the day

.414: The batting average in the playoffs for Tomball star catcher Cade Arrambide. The LSU signee is batting .430 overall entering the state tournament.