(Corpus Christi, Texas)-Sharyland Pioneer High School interim head baseball coach Shawn Moss is no stranger to the University Interscholastic League State Baseball playoffs. In 2019, as an assistant head baseball coach, he helped lead the Diamondbacks to the state baseball tournament for the first time in school history. “That was amazing,” said Moss. “That team was special.” Since then, Moss has taken over head coaching duties midway through this season to get his team into the fourth round of the UIL State 5A Region IV Semifinals and on Thursday night, the 31-5A D’Backs (30-7) will meet Buda Johnson High School Jaguars (25-10-1) from District 26-5A in Game One of the Best-of-Three series at Cabaniss Field in Corpus Christi, Texas at 8:00 p.m. The winner will play 25-5A Georgetown (28-7) or 29-5A Corpus Christi Ray (36-4) in the Region IV finals with the winner advancing to the state tournament. Strangely, the Diamondbacks lost to Georgetown in the UIL State 5A Semifinals in 2019. A rematch in the quarterfinals would be interesting. Game Two is set for Friday at 7:00 p.m. and if necessary, Game Three will be played at 12:30 p.m. All games will be played at Cabaniss Field.
The D’Backs have played eight games in the UIL State 5A playoffs. In the Bi-District playoffs, the D’Backs swept past Brownsville Porter 13-0, 10-0 and then eliminated powerhouse, Corpus Christi Moody in three games, followed by a three-game win over Corpus Christi Veterans Memorial in the regional quarterfinals. Johnson, on the other hand, made its way up the state brackets with wins over Liberty Hill, San Antonio Brackenridge, and Cedar Park to reach the Sweet 16 round.
On paper, the Diamondbacks will need to keep watchful eyes on several Jag players. Johnson HS is led by outfielder, Ethan McAlister and his five homers to date along with speedy catcher Conner Crabtrey, who already has 21 stolen bases this season. He also leads the team with 34 hits and 33 runs scored. Outfielder Dom Alvarado has 24 RBIs and seven doubles. On the mound, expect the Jags to go with senior Cody Templeton. Against Cedar Park, he struck out eleven Timberwolves and pitched a no-hitter as they won 4-0 in the regional quarterfinals in a one-game playoff. To date, Cody (11-2) has made 18 appearances with 91 Ks for the season in 83 innings pitch with a 1.01 era. The senior has allowed 59 hits this season and has come on stronger by allowing just six hits in the last three playoff opponents he has faced (Liberty Hill, Brackenridge, Cedar Park. His best game of the year was a win against Dripping Springs in a no-hitter, 17-strikeout performance.
The Diamondbacks could be even better. Much better than the Jags. The D’Backs love hitting the ball. In 907 at bats, they have scored 308 runs with 320 hits, including 17 homers, 64 doubles, and 245 runs batted in. In addition to the hits, the Pioneer batters are keened to the ball as they have been walked 172 times this season. The D’Backs are batting .353 as a team. Not, bad at all.
On the mound, the Diamondbacks are loaded with plenty of players to choose. Thirteen pitchers to be exact. All thirteen pitchers have combined for 222 strikeouts, allowing 209 hits and 127 walks. The Diamondbacks have allowed two homers this season. Seniors Angel Larranaga and Abel Anzaldua both leads their pitching staff with perfect 5-0 records. Expect to see both pitchers on the mound. Another pitcher to watch will be freshmen Ruben Lopez (4-1). All three pitchers have combined for 151 strikeouts.
