Tomball thrives once playoffs hit
Cougars annually discover ‘A’ game as postseason rolls around
Doug Rush refers to it as the perfect storm. It’s how the Tomball baseball coach explains the Cougars’ postseason success since he arrived at the school six years ago. That would include a 168-53 overall record and two state tournament appearances, including winning the 2013 state championship.
When the Cougars open their best-of-three Class 5A Region III semifinal game against Port NechesGroves on Friday in Crosby, they will be playing their 27th playoff series under Rush.
“It’s tradition, and … we finally found a way we like to practice our kids that gets them ready for playoff series,” Rush said. “For whatever reason, we’ve been able to get hot at the right time of the year just about every season.
“One thing about Tomball kids is they generally come together as a team, play as a team.”
And the Cougars (27-10) have shown they can play from behind, and win. In reaching the fourth round of the playoffs, Tomball lost its opening bi-district game to Georgetown 5-4, before winning 6-4 and 3-0. Soaring confidence
After sweeping College Station, the state’s secondranked team needed a third-game win over Cedar Park. Senior Zach Diaz, who took a no-hitter into the sixth inning against Georgetown, threw his second Game 3 shutout of the playoffs for Tomball.
“It’s so much fun to come out on top in these series,” left fielder Jacob Jenkins said. “There’s nothing that compares to it, playing in the playoffs. Our confidence level is high, but we don’t have the big head.”
Like Tomball, Port Neches-Groves is talented and disciplined team. But if the series goes to a third game on Saturday, the Cougars like their chances.
“We try not to panic if we get down,” said third baseman Andrew Skivington. “We know we can always come back and make plays and come out on top in close games. That’s what you’ve got to do if you want to make it far in the playoffs.”
Pitching depth and outstanding defense have been instrumental in Tomball’s playoff run after finishing third at 10-4 in District 20-5A. The Cougars, with a team ERA of 2.04, don’t have a staff that is overpowering, but the pitchers hit their spots and rely on the defense. The team has received contributions from a number of players, including sophomore Eric Oakes, who has sparkled at second base and as a pitcher.
Oakes is batting .426 with five home runs and 24 RBIs. On the mound, he’s 8-1 with a 2.06 ERA, with 52 strikeouts in 59 innings. Depth at pitching
Either Oakes (who throws in the mid-80s with an effective slider) or senior Noah Myre (6-2, 1.76 ERA) will start Game 1. Junior John Breaux (5-0, 1.36), who has 38 strikeouts in 36 innings, and senior Trevor Thrash, a submariner, are the top two relievers.
“Our philosophy every year is to get ready to try to win 2-1, 3-2 games against really good pitching,” Rush said. “We can slug with people at times, and if we have to lay down bunts and run, we can do that.”
Junior center fielder Scott Herrmann is hitting .368 with three home runs and 33 RBIs for a team that has a .306 batting average. Skivington averages .329 with 20 RBIs, and junior first baseman Brandon Marshall is batting .274 with two home runs, 11 doubles and 17 RBIs.
Diaz, who didn’t pitch much during the regular season, said the team came together after winning 22-4 at Tomball Memorial in the district finale, avenging an earlier 4-3 home loss to the Wildcats.
“We absolutely hit everything they were throwing at us,” said Diaz, who’s not the hardest thrower, but from his sidearm delivery gets hitters to roll over the ball and consistently ground out. “We were determined to go into the playoffs with a win and momentum.”
And the wins and momentum continue. Richard Dean is a freelance writer.