Crusaders set to go Deer (Park) hunting
Strake Jesuit out to continue impressive playoff run
The Strake Jesuit baseball team continued its impressive run through the University Interscholastic League Class 6A playoffs.
Next up for the Crusaders (27-4-2) is a 6A-Region III semifinal series against nationally ranked and unbeaten Deer Park (34-0).
“At this point in the season, all the teams left are outstanding,” said Strake Jesuit head baseball coach Raul Garcia-Rameau. “You have to be solid in all three phases – pitching, hitting and defense. Deer Park is really good, but so are we.”
Game 1 of the best-ofthree series is set for the University of Houston at 4:30 p.m. Thursday, May 26. Game 2 will also be at UH at 4:30 p.m. Friday, May 27. Game 3, if necesary, will be played at Sweeny High School at noon Saturday, May 28.
Garcia-Rameau said there are many reasons why the Deer have been perfect to date.
“Deer Park is very fundamentally sound and disciplined,” Garcia-Rameau said. “(Head coach) Chris Rupp does a nice job there. They’re a well-coached, championship-level team.”
At the same time, Garcia-Rameau believes his squad has the firepower to hand Deer Park its first defeat and, more importantly, win the series and get a shot at the 6A-Region III title.
The Crusaders, the District 19-6A runner-up, swept a double-header against Lamar 10-1 and 9-4 to claim a regional quarterfinal series.
“We tried to control the pace against their pitchers,” Garcia-Rameau said. “We had a combined 30 hits in both games. We had some great at bats.”
Junior right fielder/ first baseman Riley Overstreet was 6-for-8 with two triples, while senior first baseman/catcher Nick Tanner went 5-for-6 with a double. Overstreet and Tanner each had three RBI.
Senior designated hitter Zach Zubia, a Tulane University signee, ripped his 12th homer of the year – a solo shot – in the bottom of the second inning of Game 2.
“It was 3-3 and Zach’s home run put us on top for good,” Garcia-Rameau said.
Strake Jesuit received complete games from its two starting pitchers, senior Kevin Graff and junior Mitchell Black.
Graff allowed one run in Game 1, running his season mark to a perfect 12-0.
“Kevin was Kevin,” Garcia-Rameau said. “He’s done that all year.”
By contrast, Black struggled early on against Lamar in Game 2, giving up three runs in the top of the first inning.
“The first inning was rough, but Mitchell settled down after that,” GarciaRameau said.
It helped that the Crusaders countered with three runs of their own in the bottom frame to tie the score and never trailed the rest of the way.
Garcia-Rameau said that his players are enjoying their playoff run, the deepest since Strake Jesuit joined the UIL.
“It’s been a blast,” Garcia-Rameau said. “This is a special group of guys and we want to take it as far as we can. We’re thrilled to still be playing.” Jeff Jenkins is a freelance writer and can be reached at jenkins.jeffreys@gmail.com.