Austin High Baseball falls to Georgetown in playoffs

By Patrick Olson

The Austin High baseball team encountered a formidable foe in a bi-district showdown versus Georgetown, as the Eagles swept the Maroons with a 3-1 win on Thursday and a 10-2 victory on Saturday. After finishing third in District 15-5A, Austin High (17-12-1) will lose five seniors to graduation.

Lead-off hitter Cole Newton performed admirably for Maroon coach Glenn Bacak. “Cole was a senior leader for us,” the skipper said. “He would do whatever it takes to help the team.” JL Tourville also brought outstanding leadership to the club, pacing the team with a .356 average. The versatile Tourville recorded 36 hits in 30 games and played third base, second base and in the outfield.

First team all-district performer Travis Eckert was the ace of the Maroons pitching staff and will now take his talent to Temple College this fall. “I feel he was one of, if not the best player overall in Central Texas,” said Bacak of his .340 hitter who led the team to a 7-2 win over Bowie with clutch hitting and sensational pitching.

Finally, Kel Casto and Chris Bacak concluded their high school baseball careers and will attend the University of Texas in September. “Kel is a great student and a valuable senior leader who pitched, played first base and was sometimes our designated hitter,” the coach added. “Chris helped hold things together for me for four years and is in the top ten of his class academically.”