Crusaders on deepest postseason run yet
Playoff magic continues for Strake, though test toughens considerably with Lamar up next
The Strake Jesuit baseball team is accustomed to making history.
In the midst of the deepest postseason run since joining the University Interscholastic League 12 years ago, the Crusaders have a chance to take it a step further. Strake Jesuit will face Lamar in a Class 6A-Region III quarterfinal series this week.
All three games will be at Premier Baseball, 20230 Cypress Rosehill Road in Tomball, with Game 1 at 5 p.m. Thursday, May 19; Game 2 at 5 p.m. Friday, May 20; and Game 3, if necessary, at noon Saturday, May 21.
“We’re pretty excited,” said Strake Jesuit head baseball coach Raul Garcia-Rameau. “Every round gets a little tougher, but we’re happy to still be playing.”
Strake Jesuit, the District 19-6A runner-up, has been on a roll during the postseason, sweeping pair of games against Milby and Cy Creek in the bi-district and area rounds.
Last week’s series against Cy Creek, the fourth-place team from powerful District 17-6A, should have been suspenseful but it wasn’t.
In Game 1, senior designated hitter Zach Zubia, a Tulane University signee, went 2-for-2 with a pair of doubles and drove in three runs. Senior ace Kevin Graff was in total command on the mound, scattering two hits and striking out four while going the distance.
“Zach’s two hits were huge, but Kevin was the difference,” Garcia-Rameau said. “Kevin is 11-0 on the season. He’s been really consistent.”
It was more of the same in Game 2, a 5-1 victory for the Crusaders. Junior pitcher Mitchell Black tossed a complete game, giving up only three hits. Senior catcher Nick Tanner delivered two hits and junior left fielder William James added a clutch triple.
Strake Jesuit (25-4-2) should get more of a test from Lamar (22-9-1), which won both games against Cy-Fair 2-0 and 4-1 to advance to the third round.
Garcia-Rameau has plenty of respect for the Texans, the second-place team from District 20-6A.
“Lamar’s pitching is incredible,” Garcia-Rameau said. “It’ll be their pitching against our hitting and may the best team win.” Tracksters place at state
Strake Jesuit finished in a four-way tie for 14th place in the Class 6A boys’ division at the UIL State Track and Field Championships last week.
The meet schedule was switched up because of lightning on the final day, but the Crusaders performed well, with three athletes combining for 12 points. De Soto was the 6A boys’ champ with 54 points, followed by Manvel with 50 and Mansfield with 36.
Senior Nathan Fisher came close to winning a medal in the pole vault, clearing 15 feet, 6 inches to claim fourth place. However, it wasn’t enough to beat winner Bailey Henderson of Comal Canyon (17-3).
Junior Jason Bugg turned in a fourth-place showing in the 800 with a time of 1:52.65.
Senior distance star Andrew Hebert concluded his career at Strake Jesuit by placing fourth in the 1,600 (4:15.18) and seventh in the 3,200 (9:23.34).