PLAYOFF PREVIEW: BRENHAM CUBS VS. FRIENDSWOOD MUSTANGS
The Brenham Cubs are on their deepest playoff run since the 2017 season as they open the Region Semifinals against the Friendswood Mustangs tonight (Wednesday).
Brenham is 25-11-1, and have won nine out of their last ten games. After finishing second in District 19-5A, the Cubs swept Montgomery in the Bi-District Round 6-5 and 2-1. Next, they beat Pflugerville Hendrickson in a two game sweep 5-4 and 10-4. Then, last week, Brenham took two out of three from district rival College Station. The Cubs won the opener 10-1, College Station won the second game 6-2, but then Brenham bounced back to win the third game 5-1.
Earlier this week, it was announced that Cub seniors Blane Bolcerek, Ethan Jezierski, and Mason Lampe were selected to play in the Greater Houston Area Baseball Coaches Association All Star Game. Meanwhile, Cub juniors Jacob Mabie and Lane Sparks were selected to play in the Futures Game the following night. Lampe was also chosen to play in the Texas High School Baseball Coaches Association All Star Game.
The Friendswood Mustangs are the District 22-5A Champions. They have a current record of 25-7-1. They have won 17 of their last 20 games. The three losses for the Mustangs were one game each to the other three playoff teams from their district; Santa Fe, La Porte, and Galveston Ball. Friendswood returns several players from last year's team that went 31-3, and made it to the Region Finals. Brenham Coach Chase Wheaton knows that the game will not be easy.
Friendswood beat Nederland in the Bi-District Round 5-2 and 9-7. They then knocked off Waltrip in the Area Round 8-0 and 12-0. Last week, the Mustangs swept Crosby 12-0 and 4-1.
The Friendswood pitching staff features three Division I commits; senior Jacob Rogers (Texas Tech), junior Easton Tumis (Houston), and junior Jaxson Burch (LSU).
Their top hitter is their leadoff man and senior starting catcher Dylan Maxcey, who has committed to Texas Tech. He will also be joining Lampe at the Texas High School Baseball Coaches Association All Star Game.
Game one of the series is tonight (Wednesday) at 7pm. Game two is Thursday night at 7pm. Game three (if needed) will be Friday at 7pm. We will have live coverage each night beginning with the pregame at 6:30pm right here on KWHI 1280AM, 101.7FM, and KWHI.com.
Tickets are not being sold in advance. They are only available at the gate. After the three games against College Station last week, Coach Wheaton knows the importance of fan support to his team.
The winner of this series moves on to the Region Finals next week against the winner of Lake Creek vs. Houston Milby.