GWOOD
06-06-2006, 09:34 AM
Did a little research on each team from websites, newspaper articles, and message boards. Here is my assessment of the 4 teams in the 3A tournament along with my predictions. I have only seen one of these teams play so feel free to disagree and/or add your own insights to this thread:
Bridge City Cardinals (33-5)
The #1 ranked team most of the season. They are the only team in 3A returning from last year’s state tournament. They were not satisfied with their bronze medal last year. While most teams were just trying to get to the state tournament, Bridge City has on their mind winning the state tournament. They are on a mission.
They are led by arguably the #2 pitcher in 3A, Kevin Angelle. Not only is he a superb pitcher with a couple of no-hitters under his belt this year, but he also is their cleanup hitter and leads the team with a .457 BA. But this is not a one man show. They also have SS Derrick Coleman, voted the 24-3A Offensive Player of the Year, who is the leadoff hitter batting .448. He has signed with Panola Jr. College to play next year. Johnny Dishon, the junior CF is very dangerous in the #3 spot, batting .441. Add to that mix the Super Soph catcher Casey Jackson, who leads the team with 11 HR’s and 44 RBI’s, and you have a very potent lineup.
The biggest question mark for Bridge City is if they get to Championship Game can their pitching get them a win in the finals? Sr. Broc Hayman and Jr. Jeff Stringer have provided a lot of help all year with effective relief from Jr. Phillip Meeks. But they have not faced many teams who hit the ball like Abilene Wylie and Falfurrias.
Texarkana Liberty-Eylau Leopards (24-14)
Do you know Will Middlebrooks? The Junior P/SS will likely be the preseason candidate for the 3A Player of the Year in 2007. This kid just gets better each week. He is considered to be one of the top two pitchers in Region 2 this year and he has gone crazy at the plate during the playoffs, having reached base safely 31 times in 37 trips in 10 playoff games, including three home runs, two triples, and five doubles. After a full season, he is now comfortable in his role as leader of this team, even though he is only a junior.
The big question is can Middlebrooks’ pitching and hitting carry the Leopards to a victory against Bridge City in their first ever trip to the state tournament? In L-E's last game, Lindale pitched around Middlebrooks, walking him 3 times, and his teammates responded. Senior 3b Jarrod McFee went 2-for-4 with three RBIs, Senior 2B Corey Wells had two hits and Junior 1B/P Zach Fowler drove in two runs in their 6-3 victory over Lindale. If they can get that kind of help from the other players against Bridge City they might have a chance.
Liberty-Eylau has a lot of losses this year, much of that from a heavy schedule of 4A teams in the early part of the season. But they have won 20 out of their last 25. They were never supposed to get past Carthage two weeks ago nor Lindale this past weekend. But they seem to be a team that is getting hot at the right time of the year.
Prediction: Bridge City wins easily over Liberty-Eylau
Falfurrias Jerseys (28-6)
Falfurrias is the youngest team in the tournament with only three Senior starters. They do not really have a dominating player but do a very good job in all aspects of the game—pitching, hitting, and defense. Coach David Salinas has led Falfurrias to a state championship back in 1993 so he knows what it takes to make it happen.
Senior Gilbert Vela has been the #1 pitcher all season staking an 8-0 mark and an ERA under 1.00 through district play. His first loss of the season came at the hands of 5A state ranked Mission Sharyland in a warm-up game. But as overpowering as he was during the regular season, he has been less effective--and several times very hittable--in the playoffs. However #2 starter, junior Jason Garcia has gained more control of his pitches and has been very effective in the playoffs, including going all 11 innings in the Jerseys’ 8-6 win over West Columbia. It will be interesting to see who Salinas starts vs. Abilene Wylie.
All nine of Falfurrias’ starters are hitting over .300, led by Vela, Garcia, and Junior Eric Silvas. They can spray the ball all over the field and will try to produce runs anyway they can. Defense is a strength for this ballclub as they don’t make many mistakes. They made only 11 errors in nine playoff games and came up with big plays at key moments throughout the playoffs.
Abilene Wylie Bulldogs (27-8)
Very likely the best hitting team in the 3A bracket, having scored 100 runs in 10 playoff games. Senior SS Blake Lemen may be one of the most underrated hitters in 3A with a batting average of .484. Many of his hits are in crucial times--starting a rally, driving in runs, or two out base hits. He gets a lot of help from sophomore Mason Macnoll (.439) and seniors Stetson Taylor (.421) and Chase Davis (.382).
Their pitching is fair. Wylie doesn't have a pitcher who will shut you down but they are more than adequate and can look to a number of guys to find the one with the hot hand. Taylor has been the #1 starter but Davis, juniors Michael Strong (9-0) and Landon Lindley, along with Macnoll, are all ready to come in and help.
The biggest question mark for Wylie is defense. They have been plagued with errors in the playoffs, committing 16 in their last 2 playoff series. The Bulldogs are not bad defensively-they will make some great plays during the game--they just tend to make some bad throws and occassionally boot some balls. They will need to keep making some of the great plays and cut down on errors if they want to win in Austin.
Prediction: Wylie wins in extra innings.
Championship Game: Bridge City gets the gold medal in a win over Wylie!
Bridge City Cardinals (33-5)
The #1 ranked team most of the season. They are the only team in 3A returning from last year’s state tournament. They were not satisfied with their bronze medal last year. While most teams were just trying to get to the state tournament, Bridge City has on their mind winning the state tournament. They are on a mission.
They are led by arguably the #2 pitcher in 3A, Kevin Angelle. Not only is he a superb pitcher with a couple of no-hitters under his belt this year, but he also is their cleanup hitter and leads the team with a .457 BA. But this is not a one man show. They also have SS Derrick Coleman, voted the 24-3A Offensive Player of the Year, who is the leadoff hitter batting .448. He has signed with Panola Jr. College to play next year. Johnny Dishon, the junior CF is very dangerous in the #3 spot, batting .441. Add to that mix the Super Soph catcher Casey Jackson, who leads the team with 11 HR’s and 44 RBI’s, and you have a very potent lineup.
The biggest question mark for Bridge City is if they get to Championship Game can their pitching get them a win in the finals? Sr. Broc Hayman and Jr. Jeff Stringer have provided a lot of help all year with effective relief from Jr. Phillip Meeks. But they have not faced many teams who hit the ball like Abilene Wylie and Falfurrias.
Texarkana Liberty-Eylau Leopards (24-14)
Do you know Will Middlebrooks? The Junior P/SS will likely be the preseason candidate for the 3A Player of the Year in 2007. This kid just gets better each week. He is considered to be one of the top two pitchers in Region 2 this year and he has gone crazy at the plate during the playoffs, having reached base safely 31 times in 37 trips in 10 playoff games, including three home runs, two triples, and five doubles. After a full season, he is now comfortable in his role as leader of this team, even though he is only a junior.
The big question is can Middlebrooks’ pitching and hitting carry the Leopards to a victory against Bridge City in their first ever trip to the state tournament? In L-E's last game, Lindale pitched around Middlebrooks, walking him 3 times, and his teammates responded. Senior 3b Jarrod McFee went 2-for-4 with three RBIs, Senior 2B Corey Wells had two hits and Junior 1B/P Zach Fowler drove in two runs in their 6-3 victory over Lindale. If they can get that kind of help from the other players against Bridge City they might have a chance.
Liberty-Eylau has a lot of losses this year, much of that from a heavy schedule of 4A teams in the early part of the season. But they have won 20 out of their last 25. They were never supposed to get past Carthage two weeks ago nor Lindale this past weekend. But they seem to be a team that is getting hot at the right time of the year.
Prediction: Bridge City wins easily over Liberty-Eylau
Falfurrias Jerseys (28-6)
Falfurrias is the youngest team in the tournament with only three Senior starters. They do not really have a dominating player but do a very good job in all aspects of the game—pitching, hitting, and defense. Coach David Salinas has led Falfurrias to a state championship back in 1993 so he knows what it takes to make it happen.
Senior Gilbert Vela has been the #1 pitcher all season staking an 8-0 mark and an ERA under 1.00 through district play. His first loss of the season came at the hands of 5A state ranked Mission Sharyland in a warm-up game. But as overpowering as he was during the regular season, he has been less effective--and several times very hittable--in the playoffs. However #2 starter, junior Jason Garcia has gained more control of his pitches and has been very effective in the playoffs, including going all 11 innings in the Jerseys’ 8-6 win over West Columbia. It will be interesting to see who Salinas starts vs. Abilene Wylie.
All nine of Falfurrias’ starters are hitting over .300, led by Vela, Garcia, and Junior Eric Silvas. They can spray the ball all over the field and will try to produce runs anyway they can. Defense is a strength for this ballclub as they don’t make many mistakes. They made only 11 errors in nine playoff games and came up with big plays at key moments throughout the playoffs.
Abilene Wylie Bulldogs (27-8)
Very likely the best hitting team in the 3A bracket, having scored 100 runs in 10 playoff games. Senior SS Blake Lemen may be one of the most underrated hitters in 3A with a batting average of .484. Many of his hits are in crucial times--starting a rally, driving in runs, or two out base hits. He gets a lot of help from sophomore Mason Macnoll (.439) and seniors Stetson Taylor (.421) and Chase Davis (.382).
Their pitching is fair. Wylie doesn't have a pitcher who will shut you down but they are more than adequate and can look to a number of guys to find the one with the hot hand. Taylor has been the #1 starter but Davis, juniors Michael Strong (9-0) and Landon Lindley, along with Macnoll, are all ready to come in and help.
The biggest question mark for Wylie is defense. They have been plagued with errors in the playoffs, committing 16 in their last 2 playoff series. The Bulldogs are not bad defensively-they will make some great plays during the game--they just tend to make some bad throws and occassionally boot some balls. They will need to keep making some of the great plays and cut down on errors if they want to win in Austin.
Prediction: Wylie wins in extra innings.
Championship Game: Bridge City gets the gold medal in a win over Wylie!