HOUSTON — The Dripping Springs Tigers, champions of University Interscholastic League Region IV-6A Division II, traveled to the University of Houston's Darryl & Lori Schroeder Park to face the Memorial High School Mustangs, the UIL Region III champion, in Houston in a best-of-three State Semifinal series over the weekend.
The Mustangs entered the series with a 32-6 record, while the Tigers arrived with a 30-15 mark after an impressive postseason run.
Memorial claimed game one Friday, May 29, by a score of 10-5. The Tigers responded in game two with a hard-fought 3-2 victory to force a decisive third game. Senior pitcher Blake Cox earned the win, while Nixon Padilla closed out the seventh inning to secure the victory and keep the Tigers' championship hopes alive.
The two teams returned Saturday, May 30, for the winner-take-all game three.
Dripping Springs struck first with a run in the opening inning, but Memorial answered in the bottom of the second to tie the game at 1-1. From that point forward, the contest evolved into a classic pitchers' duel and defensive battle. Both teams made timely plays throughout the afternoon as the score remained deadlocked heading into the seventh inning.
In the top of the seventh inning, the Tigers put runners in scoring position and threatened to take the lead. However, Memorial's pitcher and defense rose to the challenge and escaped the inning without allowing a run.
With one final opportunity in the bottom of the seventh, Memorial's leadoff batter connected on a walk-off home run, ending the Tigers' season and sending the Mustangs to the UIL 6A Division II State Championship game at Dell Diamond in Round Rock.
Although the season ended one game short of the state title series, the Tigers once again demonstrated the strength and consistency of their program. For the second consecutive season, Dripping Springs advanced to the UIL State Semifinals, finishing among the final four teams in Class 6A Division II.
Following the game, head coach Chris Payne congratulated Memorial High School and expressed his appreciation for his players.
"I cannot say enough good things about this group of players," Payne said. "It has been a pleasure coaching them. Back-to-back trips to the state semifinals do not happen every year. This is a very special group."
The Tigers' season may be complete, but three seniors will take the field one final time in the Austin Area Baseball Coaches Association All-Star Game June 7 at Dell Diamond. Dripping Springs will be represented by Nixon Padilla, Blake Cox and Bobby Wilkinson.
The Tigers conclude another memorable season with a 31-16 record, a Region IV Championship and a second consecutive appearance in the UIL State Semifinals.
