Central Texas high school baseball is off to an electrifying start in the UIL playoffs, with several teams securing dominant wins in Game 1 of their best-of-three bi-district series Thursday—despite scattered thunderstorms threatening to delay the action.
Weiss and Hendrickson became the first local teams to punch their tickets to the area round, completing sweeps after starting their series on Wednesday and carrying that momentum into decisive victories.
In a thrilling showdown, Lake Travis edged out Westwood 4-2, thanks to Dallas Witcher’s clutch two-run single in the bottom of the sixth that broke a 2-2 tie. Luke McBride was the only player to notch two hits, including an RBI double, while James Tudor drove in a run with a walk. On the mound, Cooper Webb delivered a masterful two-hitter with six strikeouts to secure the win. Westwood’s Will Baker and Juan Perez contributed with an RBI single and a run-scoring double, respectively, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the Cavs.
Bowie took a nail-biter 1-0 over Cedar Ridge, with Liam Bruner throwing a five-hit shutout and striking out five. The game’s only run came in the top of the first when Kai Loo tripled and later scored, finishing 2-for-2 with a walk. Cedar Ridge’s Sawyer Neugent matched the intensity with a three-hitter and six strikeouts, but the Bulldogs’ early lead held. Game 2 is set for Saturday, promising more drama.
Johnson made quick work of Laredo United, rolling to a 12-1 victory in six innings. Joseph Cardona Jr. drove in three runs, Gannon Plummer went 3-for-5 with a triple and an RBI, and Reed Dierschke struck out five over five innings. Selvin Garrett added a double and two RBIs, while Parker George went 2-for-4 with an RBI in a 12-hit offensive explosion. Gavin Perez also chipped in with an RBI double as the Jaguars showed their postseason firepower.
Dripping Springs dominated Vista Ridge 9-1, powered by Breydan Madeley’s 3-for-3, two-RBI performance. Anthony Delgado and Cade Sanders each recorded two hits and two RBIs, while Sam Branyon added a multi-hit game to round out the Tigers’ 12-hit attack. On the mound, Cade Sanders, Nixon Badilla, and Oscar Johnson combined forces, with Badilla striking out five to keep Vista Ridge at bay.
As the UIL postseason heats up, these Central Texas teams are proving they have the talent and grit to make deep runs. Stay tuned for more playoff action—and gear up like a champion with the latest baseball apparel to support your favorite squad!