HS Baseball/Softball Playoffs: Oak Ridge wins close; Grand Oaks finishes strong

THE WOODLANDS, TX --

Baseball - Bi-District Round

Oak Ridge 5, Spring 4
(Single Elimination)

The War Eagles overcame late-game drama to escape with a one-run win over the Lions. Spring scored three runs in the bottom of the 6th inning to make things interesting, but Aiden Lucas and the War Eagles got the outs when they needed them most to advance to the Area round.

In the fourth inning, RBIs from Taylor Hendrix and Kyler Howard gave Oak Ridge a 4-0 lead. After Spring grabbed a run back, Seth Henry’s RBI single in the fifth restored the four-run lead. Ultimately, that RBI ended up scoring the game-winning run.

Michael Lopez led Oak Ridge in hits, going 2-4 in the win. Weston Moss was the game’s winning pitcher and led with eight strikeouts.

Oak Ridge will meet the winner of Tomball and Cypress Woods in Round 2.

College Park 10, Westfield 2
(Single Elimination)

The Cavaliers started hot and finished hot to earn their first playoff win since 2018. A trio of runs in the first, second, and sixth innings gave CP a comfortable victory over the Mustangs to advance to the Area round.

In the bottom of the first inning, Carter Gorling started the scoring with a two-run RBI single, followed by an RBI double by Edgar Bermudez. Two of the three runs scored in the second inning came from the bat of Hank Hudson. Hudson finished 3-4 with three RBIs in the win.

Ty Porter’s three-run RBI double in the bottom of the sixth put the finishing touches on a great night for the Cavs.

Gorling also got the win on the mound, allowing just three hits and striking out eight batters.

College Park will play the winner of Bridgeland and Klein Cain in Round 2.

Grand Oaks 7, MacArthur 0 (Game 1)

The Grizzlies cruised to the win in the series opener on the road. Grand Oaks will return home with the opportunity to earn the school’s first playoff victory in front of their friends and family on Saturday.

Jason Burger pitched a shutout in his complete-game win on Friday night. Burger struck out nine and allowed just four hits. Larry Drake, Antonio Sabala, and AJ McCrady led the team with two hits each.

Grand Oaks will go for the sweep on Saturday, at noon, at Grand Oaks HS.

The Woodlands 9, Davis 0 (Game 1)

The Highlanders put up seven runs in the second inning on their way to the shutout win over the Falcons. The Woodlands will travel to Davis HS on Saturday and attempt to get the sweep.

Justin Barry-Smith was the leading hitter with a 2-3, two-RBI performance, followed by Brayden Sharp going 2-3 with an RBI.

Dylan Kerbow earned the win in five innings. He gave up just one hit and struck out eight batters.

Softball - Area Round

Bridgeland 11, Oak Ridge 10 (Game 1)

Game 1 was a thriller, but the War Eagles find themselves in an 0-1 hole after being unable to complete the late-game comeback.

Despite the loss, Morgan Dutton shined in the batter’s box for Oak Ridge. Dutton was 2-4 with five RBIs, including two home runs. Kaitlynn Martinez and Erika Flynn also homered in Game 1.

Oak Ridge will try to force a Game 3 on Saturday.

Grand Oaks 15, Klein Collins 4
(Single Elimination)

The Grizzlies took over in the late innings to pull away from the Tigers. 15 runs over the final four innings send Grand Oaks to the Regional Quarterfinals.

Allie Hagebusch (3-3) and Avery Pemberton (3-4, 1 RBI) led the way for the Grizzlies at the plate. Kourtney Bellinger struck out six in the win.

Grand Oaks will meet the winner of Bridgeland and Oak Ridge in Round 3.

The Woodlands 18, Klein 4

The Highlanders just keep lighting up the scoreboard. Another strong performance has The Woodlands one win away from the next round.

Alannah Leach and Kayla Falterman were perfect at the plate, going 4-4, 3 RBIs, and 3-3, 1 RBI, respectively.

The Woodlands will try to win the series on Saturday at noon.