HS Baseball: The Woodlands Pull Off A Close Game Against Willis

THE WOODLANDS – With spring break in full swing, The Woodlands Highlanders hosted the Willis Wildkats for an afternoon district game. The Woodlands entered the match hot off a 4-5 record in the Langham Creek Tournament, carrying a 11-5-1 overall record and a 1-1 district record. Riding an excellent baserunning performance, the Highlanders secured a 5-4 victory, starting their second district series on a positive note and improving to 12-5-1.

Improving to 2-0 at home puts the Highlanders in a comfortable position heading into the next two away games. They now hold a 2-1 district record, just behind the Oak Ridge War Eagles, who won their game today and moved to 3-0.

With Jack Smejkal pitching for The Woodlands, the Highlanders took an early lead in the bottom of the first inning by scoring three runs to start the game. Two errors and a bunt single from Smejkal loaded the bases, where Cruz Romo was then walked to score the first run. Chase Bradley was subsequently hit by a pitch, bringing in another run, before Elias Diaz reached on a fielder's choice, allowing the third runner to score. The following innings were a defensive battle until Willis broke through in the top of the fourth inning, scoring two runs after Smejkal allowed a single and threw a wild pitch that advanced another runner home.

The Highlanders responded with a double from Cash Clayton, followed by another hit from Smejkal, who reached first on an error, allowing Clayton to score. Bradley then started the 5th inning strong, hitting a triple down the 3rd base foul line, which enabled Cash McWhorter to drive him in with a single to center field, pushing the score to 5-2 as they headed into the 6th inning.

The 6th started off rough for the Highlanders, as Willis managed to cut into the lead a bit. New pitcher Jack Fuller walked two batters and allowed a single, which let one Willis baserunner score on a fielder's choice. Fuller escaped the inning, but the Highlanders remained at 5 runs going into the 7th.

Luke Sheeren relieved Fuller on the mound in the 7th and immediately hit his first batter before allowing a double that put the tying run on third base. Willis then scored their fourth run on a groundout, putting the game back within reach for the Wildkats. Sheeren settled in, however, forcing a fielder's choice that resulted in no runs, before a quick ground out to Romo ended the game and gave The Woodlands a hard-fought victory.

While many of the runs scored by the Highlanders came from errors and fielder's choices, it demonstrates the elite level at which this team operates when it comes to baserunning. Some crucial steals and aggressive baserunning even on infield groundballs made a big difference in this game, highlighting how much effort this team puts in. Defense was also strong in this game, with Smejkal delivering some great moments on the mound, and right fielder Bryson Bourn making incredible throws to hold runners at bases in key situations.

Player of the game would have to go to Jack Smejkal, who was exceptional on both sides of the ball and a key contributor to the win. Smejkal had 2 hits in 3 at-bats but reached base all 3 times, with his impressive bunt in the 1st inning being one of the best plays of the entire game. His pitching was solid as well, throwing 3.2 innings with 5 strikeouts, allowing 4 hits and 2 earned runs. Several other players like Cash Clayton, Cruz Romo, Chase Bradley, and Cash McWhorter also deserve recognition, with some clutch hitting to drive in a couple of runs.