As students rushed home to enjoy their Spring Break, the JV Orange and White baseball teams were hard at work on the field, playing exciting games against tough opponents. Experiencing a lot of hardship through the day, the Warriors managed to pull off some successes, most notably an 8-3 victory over the McNeil Mavericks by the JV white team on Friday, Mar. 14. Beginning the game with a lead, scoring runs quickly, the Warriors ultimately secured a 3-0 lead in the first inning. Another big influence over the game was good pitches by Alex McArville ‘28 helped the Warriors gain a series of small, in-game, victories against the Mavericks. Furthermore, a few caught pop-flys  limited the Mavericks from scoring.

“[We] felt good going into this game,” Dylan Galvez ‘27 said. “I knew that me and me team were going to be able to complete the McNeil series.”

By the end of the third inning, the Warriors were ahead by a comfortable 5-2 margin, with both pitching and batting tightening up to help shut out the Mavericks. The Warriors ultimately gave up no runs in the fifth and sixth innings, while also scoring three of their own, to make the margin of victory even more insurmountable, ultimately winning 8-3.

“The whole team played really well,” Owen Neill ‘28 said. “It was a great defensive effort, [we] pitched really well, [and] hit really well.”

However, the Warriors also experienced a few hardships as well, as The JV Orange team lost to McNeil in an 10-0 finish, and proceeded to lose again to Cedar Ridge in a hard-fought 11-2 loss. In this,, the Warriors started off close, with accurate, precise pitching from both sides keeping the first innings against the Mavericks scoreless. Yet, pitching began to loosen up at the start of the second innings, with pitcher Collin Potts ‘27 giving up eight runs, despite his best efforts. It would ultimately be this innings that would lose the Warriors the game. Despite the team giving up couple of runs after substituting Potts for Benjamin Gant ‘27. This change did affect the defense as only a few more runs slipped through before the end of the game, however, the Warriors ultimately could not score any runs of their own for the rest of the game, and ended up finishing 10-0.

“I felt pretty confident, felt like we were going to win. I’m a little down right now but we’ll come back to fight [after this],” Owen Kearsey ‘27 said. 

The next game against Cedar Ridge on Saturday, Mar. 15, proved to be equally as difficult. Errors in the outfield and a strong batting lineup resulted in the first innings ended as the Warriors trailed 7-0, despite his best efforts. To try and mitigate the Raiders’ run with the lead, the Warriors substituted in Sterling Woodley ’27 pitching to help fight back against the Raiders. The same solution provided the same fix as, like the last game, the shift ultimately tightened up pitching, as the Warriors gave up few runs in the rest of the game. However, the Warriors also failed to score many runs of their own, resulting in another loss against the Raiders.

“I think [I have] some mixed thoughts on how I played,” Shoenfelt said. “I think I need to look at my pitches and strikes a little bit better, and I think good things will happen.”

In addition to the JV Orange team experiencing some difficulties, the JV White team also suffered a crushing 4-18 defeat against Cedar Ridge the same day.

The game started off strong, with both sides jumping on the board, with the Raiders in a significant, not yet insurmountable 4-1 lead. However, despite the Warriors’ strong batting efforts, pitching ultimately loosened up and gave the Raiders a few easy runs. Then came the fourth inning, despite the Warriors’ valiant fight on and off the mound, the Warriors still gave up three runs, and ultimately finished the game 10-2.

‘“I could’ve pitched better. I didn’t throw many strikes, I threw too many balls, I let up too many walks and too many hits,” Owen Neill ‘28 said. 

Despite attempts at a comeback, the Warriors struggled, giving up three more runs in the sixth inning after substituting Dylan Galvez ‘27 at pitcher. The lead eventually began piling up, with the warriors ending the game in a tough 18-4 finish.

“We have [Cedar Ridge] again Tuesday, so we need to come ready to play, ready to pitch, and [just] go back to the fundamentals, and I think we’ll win,” Neill said. 

The JV Orange team will play their next game, Tuesday, Mar. 18 against the McNeil Mavericks, while the JV White team will play their next game, Tuesday, Mar. 18 against the Cedar Ridge Raiders. Both teams will be playing tough redemption matches in an attempt to prove the team’s power.

In a landslide victory, JV Orange baseball crushed the Pflugerville Panthers 15-1 on Saturday, March 8. Competing on their home field, the game ran for four and a half innings before the mercy rule, showing the JV team’s power to fight through the cold and maintain dominance.

“The weather always plays a factor but its really important to make sure that we play consistent and not get too high and too low,” JV Orange Head Coach Joey Hart said. “So when it has adverse conditions, we’re just used to playing an even field.”

Starting on defense, the Warriors began the game slow, assessing their opponent, they ended the first inning in a tie at zero. However, they quickly picked up the pace in the bottom of the second with a strong hit from Joaquin Garcia ‘26 that net the Warriors a run batted in (RBI) and a 1-0 lead. Another hit from Carter Vaculik ‘27 brought Garcia home and put the Warriors up to 3-0. Despite a few strikes, the Warriors were making their lead. With the bases loaded, Owen Kearsey ‘27 hit a pop fly into the outfield that the Panthers turned into a double play, kicking the Warriors into the third inning.

“I think everyone was a little tired and not really ready for an evening game,” Ben Gant ‘27 said. “But after the first inning, when we went straight three up three down, I think they really just got mentally prepared for the game.”

At the top of the third with a Warrior at the mound, Pflugerville had a short bout of at bats with only one runner making it to a base. A series of singles from the Warriors brought them up 4-0 on the game as Collin Potts ‘27 took second soon after. Further crushing Pflugerville, four balls gave Gant first base and another hit from Andrew Tanis ‘27 netted the Warriors another RBI and put Gant on second base. Soon after a few more hits and another RBI for the Warriors, a home run from Garcia elicited cheers from the dugout and stands alike and brought the Warriors to 5-0 in the third inning alone and 8-0 overall. However, they weren’t done yet; with a fifth hit from the Warriors, Reece Cheng ‘27 slid into home base and brought Westwood 9-0. But soon after the Warriors scored 12th point of the game, the Panthers finally struck out Tanis and ended the third inning 12-0 for the Warriors.

“It felt really good, just coming around third base, seeing coach giving me the sign to head home,” Garcia said. “I was tired, but it felt really good by the time I got home and all my teammates were celebrating [with] me.”

The pressure was on for Pflugerville to make a comeback as Westwood was deep into the lead. Despite an early out by Vaculik, Pflugerville scored their first point of the game on a quick run that brought the game 12-1. However, the top of the fourth had a quick turnaround for Pflugerville after their run as a double play from the Warriors cut their comeback short. Despite the extreme cold weather, the Warriors were still showing up to win, beginning the bottom of the fourth with an RBI from Garcia that was followed by two more runs, but all three outs as well, ending the Warriors reign on offense. Finally, after a quick series of at bats ended the top of the fifth, the Warriors’ mercy rule kicked in, ending the game with the Warriors up 14, crushing the Panthers.

The JV Orange baseball team will take on the McNeil Mavericks on the road at McNeil High School at 7:15 p.m. on Tuesday, March 11.  

The Warriors opened up the game with a defensive struggle, giving up a run in the first inning. Fortunately, Westwood quickly answered by scoring a trio of runs thanks to an opening hit by Jackson Gula ‘24 and some quality at-bats from the next few in the order. Brandeis didn’t give up though, scoring another run in the second and keeping the game within reach going into the middle stretch of the game. 

The bats went stagnant for the Warriors through the second and third innings, posting shutouts in both. Favorably, the Broncos also stood still, failing to score for the rest of the game. The fourth inning saw a resurgence in the Warrior batting, with a run scored, and four more following in the fifth. The rest of the game was characterized by strong defense, crowd noise, and a winning sentiment, with the Warriors locking down the Broncos, securing the win, and finding their way into the third round of playoffs. 

The Warriors will play Johnson on Thursday and Friday, May 16, at 7:00 p.m., at the fields near Dripping Springs High School. 

“It means a lot [that I got the] chance to make the most out of it and just dice up [my] opponents,” Hensley said.

Hensley got out on the right foot in his first pitching action of the season, forcing three quick outs in four batters to bring the Warriors to their first at-bats of the game. The Warriors came out firing with Jackson Gula ‘24 walking to start the series, and Lane Wood ‘24 singling to center field to give the Warriors a quick 1-0 lead through two batters. Following a slew of hits from Ridge Morgan ‘24, Justice Moore ‘26, Owen Norrell ‘24, Jake Jones ‘24, and John Ramsey ‘24, that lead only increased to a wide 5-0 margin before the third out brought them back on defense.

“I feel amazing,” Jacob Wright ‘25 said. “It was great to get [a win] for all the seniors. Those are all my best friends, so watching from the dugout is a really cool experience.”

Hensley’s success continued into the second inning, posting a three-up three-down performance and bringing the Warriors right back to offense. Morgan’s double to left-center brought the score to 8-0 and inched the Warriors closer to the 10-0 run rule after five innings. The bottom of the order did not follow the offensive success that the top found, and sent the Warriors back to the field to maintain their current shutout.

Once more, Hensley dominated the Mustangs, posting two strikeouts in another three-up three-down sequence, and earning another inning after what was just supposed to be a two-inning stint for the senior. However, the success on the offensive end did not continue, as the Warriors found themselves in their own three-batter offensive side, sending the third inning to a quick end.

The remainder of the game went like the third inning, with neither team finding overwhelming offensive success, and Hensley finding unexpected success on the mound. The run rule was put in place after five innings after the Warriors mustered up two runs in the bottom of the fifth inning with hits from Jones and Norrell helping lead the charge. In his first start ever, Hensley pitched a complete shutout no-hitter leaving himself with a game to remember as he heads toward graduation and the next step of his athletic career.

“It’s awesome, man,” Norrell said. “I mean, [Hensley] is a basketball kid, but he’s out here with us every day and works just as hard as the rest of us, so it’s awesome to see him succeed.”

The Warriors will take the field again on Tuesday, April 23, against Vandegrift in a district matchup at Viper Field.

In the heat of district competition the Varsity baseball team, who came into the day 1-4 in district play, took Warrior Field against third-place Vista Ridge on Tuesday, March 26. This matchup could determine the Warriors’ chances of securing a spot in the playoffs. The Warriors put a familiar face on the mound with Ridge Morgan ‘24 taking the field to open the game. Morgan, along with late-game heroics from Owen Norrell ‘24 boosted the Warriors over the Rangers to a 3-2 win that left Vista Ridge stunned.

“[Vista Ridge] played really hard today,” Norrell said. “It came down to the wire at the very end. They scored one at the very end to put them up and then we came back and scored two right after that. That’s baseball. You just gotta play to the very last pitch.”

Both teams scored in the first inning to open the game with the Rangers reaching home on a wild pitch from Morgan, and the Warriors finding the plate off of a line drive to center field from Justice Moore ‘26. Despite the earned run, Morgan came out of the inning successfully with a strikeout and two forced ground balls to get the Warriors out of an early jam.

“I knew that there were runners on base, and I knew we needed runs early in the game,” Moore said. “I just did what I did. Styling a fastball, hitting it up the middle, got an RBI, and it set the tone for the game.”

Following an exciting first inning, the next few were marked as a defensive battle with both pitchers finding success. For the next three innings, Morgan raked in three more strikeouts, keeping the Rangers from scoring and giving the Warriors the opportunity to take a lead in the bottom of the fourth. After Jacob Wright ‘25 was walked and Antonio Martinez ‘26 layed down a sacrifice bunt, the Warriors were in prime scoring position with a base hit bringing the runner home. And the streak didn’t stop there with a Warrior runner stealing third giving the next batter the opportunity for a sacrifice fly. Unfortunately the next two batters were struck out, leaving potential runs on the bases; Bringing the game into the fifth inning.

“We’ve been struggling a little bit these past few games,” Moore said. “We’ve been working a lot on our defense and it’s been paying off.”

The fifth inning was a turning point for the Warriors who started their defensive half in trouble, as Morgan gave up a double to left-center field and a bunt base-hit the very next batter. With runners on first and third and zero outs to the Rangers’ name, the Warriors were at risk of giving up the potentially game-winning run. Fortunately for the Warriors, the runner on first was caught in a pickle being tagged out on his way to second base by Lane Wood ‘24. In all the chaos the runner from third looked home trying to give the Rangers back their lead, however, Wood smartly fired the ball right to Mike Davis ’24 at home plate, tagging the runner out and saving a run on a double-play.

“It was a crazy momentum shift,” Wood said. “First and third, no outs. I mean, got the guy a second and then threw at home, two outs, saved a run, still tied. It was a great play.”

With momentum fiercely behind the Warriors after an electric play, the Warriors got their chance to strike back, taking the latter half of the fifth and sixth innings intently with an opportunity to score. Unfortunately, the runs did not cross home as the Rangers put in a new left-handed pitcher who had the Warriors’ number, posting two strikeouts in four at-bats. Following that, the Warriors found themselves down 2-1 at the top of the seventh inning after a line drive to center, sending the Rangers home to take the lead. After stopping the bleeding with just one run allowed, the Warriors took to the dugout to prepare for their final at-bats in hopes of walking it off with a win.

Starting from the top of the order Jackson Gula ‘24 reached first on an infield single, giving the Warriors the jumpstart they needed. Wood laid down a sacrifice bunt to get the Warriors in scoring position with Gula at second in the hopes of tying or even taking the game. Next, Morgan, hitting third, then reached on an infield single, sending Gula to third. John Ramsey ‘24 was hit by a pitch, loading up the bases with just one out. On a 2-2 count Norrell was battling the pitcher when he saw a fastball up the middle, smashing the ball into the outfield, bringing home both runners from second and third, and walking off the game in an astonishing turn of events earning the 3-2 win.

“You can’t be scared to go up there in that situation,” Norrell said. “When I saw the ball leave my bat, I was just like, ‘We won,’ and winning is always a great feeling.”

The Warriors will play Vista Ridge again on Thursday, March 28, at Vista Ridge for their next game.

Amidst the smell of freshly grilled hot dogs and the sound of elementary schoolers playing tag, the varsity baseball team faced off against the Cedar Ridge Raiders on Friday, March 22, at Warrior Field. After losing back-to-back games against Round Rock and another against Cedar Ridge 3-0, the Warriors suffered another loss, succumbing to the Raiders 10-0.

Members of the Warrior Band Horn Section began the night with a performance of the National Anthem, their trumpets ringing out for all the families who attended Future Warrior Night. The theme intended to generate excitement about the baseball program for elementary schoolers from feeder schools, allowing them the opportunity to walk onto the field with the team. Soon after the future Warriors left the field, Antonio Martinez ‘26 struck out two Cedar Ridge batters to start the game. However, the Raiders quickly achieved three runs, two off of singles, and one off a walk. The bottom of the inning passed briskly with a double out, setting the tone echoed by the offense for the rest of the game.

“I could’ve put more pressure on them by being more selective at the plate,” John Ramsey ‘24 said.

The second inning proceeded with strong pitching and quick, successive outs for both teams — but the third inning pushed Cedar Ridge further ahead. The Warriors committed a series of errors, including a balk from Martinez, allowing the Raiders to score three more runs during the inning, setting the score 6-0. The Warriors did not make it on base during the third inning, nor the rest of the game, excluding a walk from Owen Norrell ‘24 in the fifth and final inning.

“[It’s been a] rough start to the season but we had a rough start to the season last year and I think we can turn it around,” Jacob Wright ‘25 said. “It’s a mentality [issue] and we just need to change our mentality but I have full confidence in our team. [We just need a] clear mind, and to not think about [this game] a lot and move on to the next game and come out attacking.”

Continuing to keep the bases loaded, Cedar Ridge scored another two runs during the fourth inning, but the Warrior defense pulled in tighter and Wright swapped in for Martinez. The Warrior offense did not make any advancements, however, finishing out the inning without any runs. The game ended after the fifth inning, where the Raiders scored twice, cementing the final score 10-0.

“We are not [playing] up to our potential,” Manager Michael Imm ‘24 said. “We could be better, I’ve seen us be better. We have two D1 pitchers for a reason, we have two other non-senior pitchers that are really good and they can be better. I’ve seen everybody on the team, they’re perfectly capable of hitting really well, but they’re not right now so I think eventually it can’t be okay to just be complacent.”

Varsity baseball will play their next game against Vista Ridge at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, March 26, at Warrior Field.

At the start of the game, catcher Michael Davis ‘24 dropped the ball on the third strike and let the Viper batter onto first base. The second batter landed a hit off the wall for a double, putting the Vipers in scoring position. However, defense held tight after the starting shake-up with pitcher Ridge Morgan ‘24 working hard to hold Vandegrift off, ending the inning with neither team scoring any runs.

“We were just trying to get the lead early which we didn’t do a great job of,” Morgan said. “But [I] kept it down on the pitching side so we were able to come back and score a couple of runs late.”

Both teams maintained strong defense through the second inning. Owen Norrell ‘24 scored the first run for the Warriors after a bunt from Lane Wood ‘24, in the bottom of the third. The infield turned a double play during the fourth inning when Wood tagged a Viper runner from second base, then threw to first baseman Jacob Wright ‘25.

“We played good as a team, good defense, good pitching,” Wood said. “It’s not like one person can do it all, Ridge did good on the mound and then we made good plays in the field, and then obviously you have to back it up hitting.”

Continuing a commanding streak on the mound, Morgan struck out two batters in a row, setting the team up for a successful fifth inning. The Warrior offense followed with two outs and a walk, but pushed ahead with Wood’s second RBI of the game; Jackson Gula’s ‘24 run set the score 2-0.

“I knew I had to get to second base and coach gave me the steal sign so I had to get the perfect jump,” Gula said. “We’ve practiced that a lot this year and it was just muscle memory whenever I ran.”

The sixth inning passed with swift outs from the Warriors and ended with no runs for either team. The game concluded when the Vipers failed to score during the seventh inning, securing a 2-0 win for the Warriors in a very important first District game.

“We’re going to win District,” Gula said. “I’m really confident in it because we’ve had great preparation and we’ve played really well this year, so I’m really excited for the season.”

The varsity baseball team will play their next game on Tuesday, March 12, at 7 p.m. against Round Rock at Warrior Field.

“We definitely have a lot of talented girls on the team,” Dani Martinez ‘23 said. “I think that we had a lot of injuries so we didn’t get to execute the way that we wanted. [My favorite game] was probably the last game, the Vandegrift game. We won 4-1 and that was a nice way to end the senior season.”

From day one, the team looked to carry on old traditions while also finding new ones. The team participated in activities like playing hackysack before every game and sharing special team bonding moments through team dinners.

“We may have not done the best, [but] we still had fun,” Emmy King ‘25 said. “We had fun at the Galveston tournament, our last game we beat Vandegrift and it was so exciting, and we had some home-runs, and it was awesome.” 

There are other celebrations too, with senior catcher Kylie Wardlow ‘23 continuing her softball career into college by committing to Pratt Community College in Junction City, Kansas.

“I think it’ll be fun and good for me to improve my skills and go to college at the same time,” Wardlow said. “[I anticipate] a little bit of a learning curve, but I’m only going to a [junior college] so it won’t be too intense. I think it will be pretty similar honestly and while I’m nervous, I’m excited.” 

Although the season was shorter than the team hoped for, the team continued to look on the bright side and push through setbacks. 

“We had high hopes for the season but we just had a lot of things not go our way,” Wardlow said. “We had so many injuries and so many people out from said injuries and other things, and it just kind of did not go our way. It was a good learning season though, a lot of life lessons learned.”

With the seniors’ legacy in mind, the team will go into the off-season with renewed energy after an eventful final game. The Warriors will look to build off of that momentum and begin preparations for the next year ahead.