SportzBuzz - July 2014

Junior shortstop Cade Edwards was among the offensive leaders for the Second Baptist Eagles this season. Second Baptist posted a 33-4 record en route to winning the TAPPS 4A State Baseball Championship. (Photo: Kevin Long, www.gulfcoastshots.com)

The Second Baptist Eagles capped off a spectacular baseball season by winning the TAPPS 4A State Baseball Championship. The Eagles defeated Fort Worth Christian 12-1 in the state final to finish the season with a 33-4 record.

“It’s gratifying to see these guys close out what they started and set off to accomplish,” said Eagles head coach Jeff Schroeder, who’s led Second Baptist to four state titles in his 25 seasons as the team’s head coach. “We had an incredibly gifted and talented team in every phase of the game, including pitching, defense, offense.”

On the mound, the Eagles were especially tough, with juniors Jake Bedevian and James Todd boasting 10-0 and 10-1 records, respectively. Senior Wade Strother was 7-1 on the season while senior relief pitcher Hunter Stockard had six saves. Bedevian was also among the offensive leaders, as were catcher Chris Cunningham, shortstop Cade Edwards and junior Reagan Czuba.

“I knew the expectations and legacy of this baseball program,” said senior second baseman Chad Erb. “I remember watching first-hand in 2011 when we came within one strike of the state championship. To finally get this state championship in my senior year is a proud moment and something I’ll treasure for the rest of my life.”

St. Thomas senior Ben Condora gets a celebratory hug from junior Wendell Champion after Condora knocked in the game-winning run in the Eagles’ state-championship victory over Concordia Lutheran. Also pictured is St. Thomas junior Max Machiorlette.

In TAPPS 5A, the St. Thomas High School Eagles, won the 23^rd state baseball championship in school history, defeating Tomball Concordia Lutheran 2-1 in the state final. The championship was secured when St. Thomas senior Ben Condora knocked in Rawlings Elam with the game-winning run in the Eagles’ final at bat. Sophomore Matthew Ashbaugh pitched a complete-game four hitter.

“It tops all my baseball experiences,” said Condora. “It was the biggest game of my life.”

Condora’s dramatic game-winning hit was especially heroic considering he was playing on a severely swollen and bruised knee injured while sliding a day earlier in the state semifinals. The knee was so banged up that St. Thomas trainers had recommended that Condora, who could barely walk, not play in the state final.

“They advised me not to play, and I advised them that I wasn’t about to sit out. The trainers did an amazing job of getting me ready. My knee was totally wrapped up, and I was somehow able to play.”

If that weren’t enough, the hit marked the second time in the post-season that Condora’s final at-bat heroics had led to a St. Thomas victory. In the Eagles’ first-round playoff series against Plano Prestonwood, St. Thomas trailed by two runs in the bottom of the seventh when Condora connected on a game-winning, three-run home run to keep the Eagles’ season alive.

Along with Condora, the Eagles were led all season by fellow standout seniors Michael Rodgers and Jordan Bautista-Rosales. Rodgers was the game-winning pitcher in the state semifinal victory over St. Pius, while Bautista-Rosales had one of the RBIs in the state-final victory. All three of those seniors, along with Wendell Champion, were named to the state all-tournament team.

“We wanted to bring the championship home for our school and leave our own legacy here,” said Bautista-Rosales. “We also wanted to win for Coach (Jeff) Lousteau. He’s a great coach, and he deserved it.”

Strake Jesuit Crusader John Lilly (#29) scores the winning goal against Canisius Jesuit of Buffalo, N.Y., early on in the lacrosse season. Strake Jesuit advanced to the Texas High School Lacrosse league playoffs for the sixth time in the last eight years.

For the sixth time in the last eight years, the Strake Jesuit Crusaders advanced to the Texas High School Lacrosse League Division 1 playoffs. After finishing second in the city of Houston, the Crusaders advanced to the regional round of the post season before falling to eventual state champion Episcopal School of Dallas.

“We had a great group of guys,” said Crusaders head coach Michael Block. “Our seniors were especially outstanding. They worked hard and loved to play together.”

On the defensive end, Block had high praise for a number of players, including goalies Max Bastian and Kevin Murphy as well as Jack Cartwright and Sean Rosetti. “Jack and Sean were our huge anchors defensively. They played virtually every minute of every game.”

In addition, midfielders Andrew Eichelberger, Jack Mullins and John Lilly enjoyed great seasons, said Block, as did attackers Austin Michals and Camron Cousino. “It was also a really nice bounce-back season after we failed to make the playoffs last year. We’re loaded with a lot of young talent, so we have a lot to build on for next season,” he said.

Editor’s Note: Todd Freed is the Emmy Award-winning co-host and producer of the KUBE SportsZone, which airs Saturday and Sunday at 6 p.m. on Channel 57-KUBE. To submit high school sports news for possible inclusion in SportzBuzz, please email [email protected].