With a week left in the Texas high school baseball regular season, Rouse doesn’t have a district title race to worry about.
The Raiders claimed at least a share of the District 25-5A championship Friday with a 19-3 home win over Lehman. It’s an impressive feat considering the strength of the district, but something Rouse (24-3, 11-1) had its sights on since preseason camp in January.
“It just means that we met one of our goals,” said Rouse coach Chad Krempin, who perennially has the program as one of the best in Central Texas. “Our kids were pretty motivated after last year. … We kind of had a renewed focus, and I don’t think they were going to be denied.”
Scott Knight hit a grand slam, Colby Driskell went 2-for-3 with a double and two RBIs, Brody Sharp finished 2-for-3 with three RBIs, and both Colton Mott and Joe Bury drove in two runs to lead the Raiders, who can take the title outright with a win against Glenn in two meetings this week.
One thing that Krempin appreciates about his team is its depth.
Pitchers Mason Gonzalez and Jacob Sainz, outfielder Adolfo Erives and infielders Jacob Soliz and Cristian Caro may get the headlines, but the Raiders have almost 20 players who are dangerous at the plate.
“They’re really going to stress you and are consistent,” Krempin said. “It’s one of those thin
gs where we (alternate right- and left-handed hitters) and all our guys are athletic.”
Yet Rouse is more than just bats. The Raiders have only given up more than three runs six times.
“Defensively, we’re really good, and our pitching staff pounds the strike zone,” Krempin said.
Rouse, which has won 10 straight and only lost once since the calendar flipped to March, will be the district’s No. 1 seed in Division I when the playoffs start next week.
