Title secured, Wildcats pivot to playoffs
Kunefke has squad peaking at right time ahead of postseason run
The level of success Clear Creek has reached over the last three years should not lead to many surprises, but that’s exactly what coach Brent Kunefke is experiencing this season. A large number of key players graduated after last year’s run to the regional final, but that has not stopped this season’s edition of the Wildcats from winning another district title.
With one game left in the regular season when the week began, Clear Creek (21-5-1) already had clinched the 24-6A championship by at least two games and probably three.
Kunefke said he expected his team to contend for a playoff berth, but losing only once in district play was not on his radar
“It has absolutely floored me,” Kunefke said. “As a coach you hope your kids prepare and perform well. I’ve just never seen a team with this big of a will to win and be so tough and competitive. This group hates losing more than it likes winning.”
Clear Creek’s opponents probably hate that the Wildcats’ lineup is so competitive from top to bottom. It’s normal for a high school team to have a few easy outs here and there, but Clear Creek is solid all the way through. In addition to that, most of them can do multiple things with the baseball.
If that’s not enough, seven of them can run once they get on base.
It starts with leadoff batter Austin Adams, who moved from left field last season to second base this year. Jack Kelly replaced Satchel McElroy, a 21st round draft pick of the Cincinnati Reds, in centerfield and has not missed a beat.
Landon Etzel has been as great this season as he has been throughout his career. Jonathan McKay is hitting over .400. Parker Osburn, a Rice pledge, is a major threat at catcher. Nick Reny had 19 RBIs and Garrett Poston 18 in district play going into the last game.
The school record is 20, which was set by Major Leaguer Jay Buhner in the early 1980s and matched by Etzel and Harrison Hill in recent seasons.
The Wildcats’ pitching struggled early when they lost three games in a tournament at Kingwood. That has changed dramatically.
Kunefke said he has eight pitchers he feels comfortable sending to the mound. They are not overpowering, but they throw strikes and let the defense work for them.
Brandon Bolt is 4-0. Carter Hubeli and Walter DeMasi are 3-0. Brody Erwin is the top reliever. None of them pitched many key inning last season.
Clear Creek took a step in the right direction the second week of the season when it won consecutive one-run games against Nederland, Alvin and Lewisville Hebron. They also beat powerful Fort Bend Travis that weekend.
They’ll have to beat teams at least that strong if they are going to make another deep playoff run. No matter what happens after this, Kunefke said the Wildcats are done surprising him. He believes they can go all the way.
“The No. 1 goal when you step into the dance is to go to the ball room and dance underneath the chandelier in the middle,” Kunefke said. “I feel like it’s possible. I think we’re capable of doing anything.”