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PCA falls in State Finals
BY Kevin Hageland Staff Writer
After more than three months of games, the state championship came down to the best two teams from TAPPS 2-5A as Prestonwood Christian Academy faced-off against Dallas Christian.
Prestonwood had already topped Dallas Christian twice during the regular season; 11-0, back on Mar. 16 and again Apr. 11, when the Lions beat the Chargers, 2-0.
That would not be the case Saturday morning at the University of Mary-Hardin Baylor though as four errors allowed Dallas Christian to pull off the 3-2 upset over Prestonwood.
“We made a few mental mistakes that cost us the game,” said Mike Maack, Prestonwood head coach. “There isn’t much else to say; this one hurts.”
Senior Hunter Hill was the starter for the Lions and despite giving up just six; he was tagged with the loss thanks in large part to Prestonwood’s four errors.
The Lions managed seven hits, including doubles from seniors Colin Coats and John Paterson, but still came up one run short.
This was Prestonwood’s third state tournament appearance in the program’s six-year history; but each time the Lions have ended the season with a loss. Prestonwood was defeated in the TAPPS 3A State Championship four years ago and lost in the TAPPS 5A State Semifinals last season to eventual champions Houston Second Baptist.
But on the way to Saturday’s championship game, the senior-laden Prestonwood squad had defeated Second Baptist in the regionals and appeared primed to win the big one.
The Lions had eight seniors on the 2007 squad, with four already signed to continue their playing careers in college. Rupp has signed with Texas, Hill will attend Central Florida, Paterson will be at Furman and Chay Lytle is going to Navaro Junior College.
Rupp may forgo college altogether though as he is projected to be selected in the first three rounds of next month’s Major League Baseball Draft.
But despite the mass exodus from this year’s team, the cupboards will be anything put bare for the Lions. Junior pitcher Jordan Swagerty, who is ranked No. 26 on Perfect Game’s 2008 prospect list, will be returning along with junior Trey Frazier and sophomore Jerry Owen.
To see how Prestonwood reached Saturday’s title game, go to: www.planostar.com.
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