District 4-4A
Canyon loses finale, settles for tie with West Plains for championship
The playoff seedings had already been settled heading into the last game of the regular season Friday, but some drama remained.
As a result, two Canyon ISD schools ended up sharing the last spotlight.
Canyon held a one-game lead over West Plains heading into the final game of the regular season, thanks in large part to sweeping West Plains during the regular season. With a chance to claim the district crown all alone, though, Canyon came up just short.
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The Eagles fell in a big hole on the road against Hereford, another 4-4A playoff-bound team. They mounted a big seventh inning rally, but it fell short, as Hereford pulled out a 7-5 victory which had a cosmetic effect on the final district standings.
Canyon (22-7, 12-2 in district) held a one-game lead over West Plains going into the final game, but fell back into a tie as a result of the loss. West Plains (23-7, 12-2) beat Pampa 8-5 and was able to share the district title with the Eagles.
Under the old format of one division, Canyon would have the No. 1 seed in the district by virtue of sweeping West Plains. However, they’ll be playing in different divisions of the UIL’s two-year old playoff format, with West Plains as the district’s No. 1 seed in the Division I bracket, and Canyon as the No. 2 seed in Division II
Those seeds were already set going into Friday, with Hereford (16-12, 10-4) as the No. 2 seed in Division I.
Going into the week, there was still one playoff spot which was undetermined. Randall took care of that Tuesday, beating Perryton 11-6 to clinch the district’s No. 4 seed and the No. 2 seed in Division II.
Perryton led 4-1 after three innings, but Randall (16-13-1 , 9-5) rallied. Diego Flanagan gave the Raiders the lead for good with a three-run home run in the bottom of the fifth to make it 6-4. Randall added five runs in the sixth to clinch it. Randall ended the regular season getting an 11-6 victory against Borger on Friday. Kaison Kauk had it going at the plate with a 2-for-5 day that included a grand slam.
District 1-3A
Bushland beats Childress, takes outright title
After a second-place finish in district last season, the Bushland Falcons were back on top when it all ended this season.
Bushland clinched the outright district title by beating Childress 9-0 at home Friday. The Falcons (21-1, 11-1) will be the Class 3A Division I No. 1 seed from the district.
Sophomore Lincoln Krause was dominant on the mound for the Falcons, throwing a complete-game one-hit shutout, striking out 14 while walking only one. Landon Howell had the big game at the plate for Bushland with two hits and five RBIs. Dalhart will be the No. 2-seed in Division I. In Division II, Tulia will be the No. 1-seed and Childress is the No. 2-seed.
District 1-2A
West Texas High, Sunray end regular season on high-note
West Texas High and Sunray were able to close out the regular season getting sweeps.
The Comanches took down Highland Park with an 8-3 win on Tuesday followed by a 15-5 victory Friday night. WT High (9-9 overall) finishes District 1-2A tied for second at 5-3 and will be the No. 2-seed in Class 2A Division II. Gruver (13-1) will be the No. 1-seed in Division II.
Landen McLaughlin put together quite the series against the Hornets going a combined 4-for-9 at the dish with a pair of triples, a home run while tallying seven RBIs. McLaughlin also threw a five-inning no-hitter Friday with nine strikeouts.
Sunray was able to take a pair of games from Sanford-Fritch on Tuesday and Thursday. The Bobcats grounded the Eagles 15-5 on Tuesday and then picked up a 9-2 victory on Thursday.
Sunray finishes the regular season at 12-5 overall and tied for second in 1-2A at 5-3. The Bobcats will be the No. 1-seed in Class 2A Division I. Fritch (13-8, 3-5 in district) will be the No. 2-seed in Division I.
During Tuesday’s win against the Eagles, Adam Amaya went 2-for-2 for Sunray with a pair of RBIs. In Friday’s victory, Valen Swinford was 2-for-4 with a home run and three RBIs. Swinford also threw five innings, scattering four hits with seven strikeouts to earn the win.
District 3-1A
Nazareth cruises through district play
The Nazareth Swifts have ended district play without any test before venturing into the UIL Class 1A playoffs.
Nazareth was able to close out league action with a 26-2 thumping of Springlake-Earth on Tuesday. The Swifts (8-5 overall) finished District 3-1A a perfect 6-0 while outscoring their district opponents by an eye-popping 134-9.
Against the Wolverines, Lincoln Pohlmeier drove in seven runs on four hits that included a pair of doubles.