Convenience Big Store: State baseball: Three Houston-area teams headed to Round Rock

June 3, 2024

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Tomball, Pearland and Magnolia West will represent the Houston area at the UIL baseball state tournament

For the second consecutive year, the Houston area is sending three teams to the UIL baseball state tournament. Tomball, Pearland and Magnolia West will be headed to Round Rock later this week to compete on the biggest stage.

Magnolia West (26-14-1) is the defending state champion in Class 5A, but the road hasn't been easy for the Mustangs. The team nearly missed the playoffs altogether. Since wedging their way into the postseason, the magic of 2023 has returned for coach Travis Earles and company. Now they have a chance to defend their title at Dell Diamond. Magnolia West advanced with a series sweep against district rival Lake Creek in the regional finals.

Pearland (36-8-2) is also making a second straight appearance after falling to Flower Mound in the Class 6A championship game last year. The Oilers' outstanding pitching staff has once again been a focal point, and Nico Partida tossed a gem as they defeated Cy-Fair in Game 3 of the regional finals Saturday evening.

Tomball (39-3) is back at state for the first time since 2015. The Cougars are ranked No. 3 in the country by MaxPreps and enter the tournament with a 25-game winning streak. Tomball swept Bridgeland in the regional finals and has not suffered a loss since March 8. The program is hoping to claim its first state championship since 2013.

Check out the full UIL baseball state tournament schedule.

State softball

Mustangs come up short: Kingwood came up short in the Class 6A semifinals Friday, falling 9-3 against Waco Midway. The Mustangs were making their first state tournament appearance since 2013 and will have plenty of talent returning next season under coach Christa Williams-Yates.

Heartbreak for Liberty: Liberty also finished its season on a somber note. The Panthers lost 2-1 against Corpus Christi Calallen in the Class 4A championship game Saturday morning. Liberty capped its year with an impressive 41-3 overall record.

Follow all our coverage at houstonchronicle.com/highschoolsports.

Jon Poorman, High School Sports Editor

jpoorman@houstonchronicle.com

Top stories

All-Greater Houston Boys Track Athlete of the Year Jelani Watkins, senior at Atascocita High School, poses for a photograph Friday, May 24, 2024 in Houston.

Photo by: Yi-Chin Lee, Staff Photographer

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The junior not only won the 300 hurdles at the Class 6A state meet, but she also helped the Sharks take silver in two relays and finish second in the team standings.

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Shout out

Haack reflects on career

Katy softball coach Kalum Haack, who won more than 850 games and two state championships, recently announced his retirement after the Tigers lost to Kingwood in the regional finals. After 26 years at the school, Haack leaves an impressive legacy and says he enjoyed every step of the journey as the leader of the powerhouse program.

Stat of the day

1: The number of runs surrendered by Texas A&M pitcher Shane Sdao during the Aggies' 9-4 victory against Louisiana in the NCAA baseball regional at Blue Bell Park on Sunday. Sdao, a Lake Creek graduate, pitched 5 ⅓ innings and finished with six strikeouts. He improved to 5-1 this season and has an earned-run average of 2.61.