It's Sinton vs. Calallen Volume 4.
This season marks the fourth straight year the two baseball powers will clash in the playoffs, and the second straight season the Pirates and Wildcats will see each other in the area round. They have met in tournaments, but do those really count?
Let's take a look at this anticipated series, its recent history and what to expect this weekend.
Sinton vs Calallen 2024: Series schedule
Game 1: 7 p.m. Thursday, Sinton
Game 2: 7 p.m. Friday, Calallen
Game 3 (if necessary): 1 p.m. Saturday, site TBA (will be determined after Game 2)
Playoff series history
This one-game thriller moved from a soggy Whataburger Field to Laredo and Canon Chester's home run provided the difference for the Pirates. Sinton later went on to fall in the state semifinals.
High School Baseball UIL Baseball Playoffs: Top performers and a recap of bi-district round for Corpus Christi
High School Baseball District 31-4A flexing and what we learned after first round of high school baseball playoffs
High School Baseball How good is London? The Pirates start playoffs in dominating fashion and want to continue it
This was one of the few close games the Pirates played all season on the way to a state championship. The Wildcats had the winning run on base when the game ended after a stellar start from Wyatt Wiatrek, and then Sinton decided to take a splash in the outfield pool at Whataburger Field to celebrate the win.
2023: Sinton wins series 2-0
Blake Mitchell's 10th inning single ended a thriller Game 1, as it was one of a handful of times the future Kansas City Royal farmhand came through for the Pirates in the postseason. Sinton clinched the series with an 8-2 win the next night in Calallen.
Sinton vs. Calallen: Key storylines to watch in this week's series
Calallen's pitching staff
The Wildcats pitching staff is young, but has also shown signs of being dominant when needed. Pitchers such as Drayton Mitchell, Coll Carroll and Hayden Brock have formed the core of the starting staff this season. If Calallen is going to end Sinton's hold on it in the playoffs, the pitching staff will have to come through.
Sinton's experience
Yes, the Pirates lost a first-round draft pick (Blake Mitchell), a current JUCO all-star (Jaquae Mitchell) and a college pitcher (Braeden Brown), but there are still plenty of players on Sinton's roster that have big-time game experience. That could come in handy this week.
Sinton vs Calallen: Impact Players
Calallen
Blake Quinn — The middle of the order slugger has the potential to change a game with one swing.
Drayson Gamez — The Wildcats' table setter and shortstop has had a stellar two years, and could provide an early spark for the Wildcats.
Chase Lynch — The experienced right fielder could provide a key hit if needed.
Sinton
Kash Wood — Like Quinn, Wood has the ability to change a game with one swing and has 35 RBIs in 32 games this season.
Nick Flores — The versatile Flores has been in these games before, and is among the team's leaders with a .427 batting average this season.
Aidan Moody — Moody found some playoff magic in 2023, can he find it again in 2024?
This article originally appeared on Corpus Christi Caller Times: Sinton vs Calallen: Players, storylines to watch in titanic high school baseball matchup
Most Popular
Comments / 0