SALADO — The Thrall Tigers varsity baseball team secured an arearound championship after sweeping the West Trojans in a doubleheader on Thursday, May 8 at Salado High School. The Tigers will now advance to the regional round of the UIL playoffs.
Game 1
Thrall took the opener 5–3 after overcoming an early deficit. Both teams were scoreless in the first inning before West broke the tie with a two-run home run in the bottom of the second to take a 2–0 lead.
The Tigers responded in the top of the third when senior Maverick McAllister delivered an RBI single to make it 2–1. West regained a two-run cushion after a Thrall error allowed a run to score, making it 3–1.
Thrall was retired in order in the fourth but bounced back with a three-run fifth inning. The Tigers loaded the bases on two hit batters and an error before sophomore Weston Smiley ripped a two-RBI single to tie the game. Senior Nick Treuter then gave Thrall a 4–3 lead with a sacrifice fly. Despite a shaky start, McAllister settled in and threw a complete game, striking out five and holding West scoreless over the final four innings. He also added an insurance run with an RBI single in the sixth.
The Trojans put a runner on with one out in the seventh, but a gameending double play sealed the win. McAllister and Smiley each recorded two RBIs in the victory.
Game 2
Thrall completed the sweep with a 6–3 comeback win in Game 2, sparked by a five-run sixth inning. Both teams were held scoreless through four innings as starting pitchers dominated early. The Tigers broke the deadlock in the bottom of the fifth when McAllister drove in a run with an RBI triple.
West answered in the sixth, scoring three runs — two on a sacrifice fly and one on an error — to take a 3–1 lead.
In the bottom half, Thrall loaded the bases on two walks and a single by Treuter. A hit batter brought in a run, followed by back-to-back RBI singles from sophomore Ty Matthews and senior Ty Bradford to make it 5–3. A groundout added another run, pushing the lead to 6–3.
Junior Bryce Brinkmeyer started on the mound, pitching 5 1/3 innings. Sophomore Jack Gustafson came in for relief, recording two outs and allowing one run. Smiley closed it out in the seventh, and for the second straight game, a double play ended the contest.
McAllister once again led the Tigers with two RBIs.
Thrall now awaits its regional-round opponent, which will be either Central Heights or New Waverly. Game details are to be determined.
