TRN Top 10
Each week the TRN will rank the top 10 baseball teams in the area. These rankings are more relative to where a team ranks in its respective district and region. However, unlike in football, it's more likely teams play each other regardless of classification so potential head-to-head matchups are weighed more significantly. Record and previous week's ranking is in parenthesis.
1. Iowa Park (20-1, 1) — The Hawks casually defeated a junior college team (Ranger College) Tuesday and clinched the District 6-4A title after Vernon beat Burkburnett. They face the rival Bulldogs again Friday.
2. Vernon (11-9-2, 3) — The Lions made too many mistakes in last Friday's loss to Iowa Park, but cleaned those errors up to knock off Burk in the seventh inning for the second time this season. It all but guarantees the Lions will be the No. 2 seed in 6-4A and they continue to be Iowa Park's biggest challenge in the area.
3. Windthorst (17-7-1, 5) — The Trojans play the third-seeded (Seymour) and fourth-seeded (Quanah) teams in two of their final three regular season games. Neither team has shown that it can play on the same level as Windthorst or Archer City, though.
4. Holliday (15-7, 2) — The Eagles are finally getting a good dose of adversity after being run-ruled by Henrietta for their first District 8-3A loss Tuesday. It could be a good thing for a young team that is playoff bound.
5. Archer City (11-6-2, 6) — The Wildcats scored an incredible 25 runs against a Quanah squad that at the time was third in District 9-2A. That lineup is going to make the Wildcats a force come playoff time.
6.Burkburnett (16-7, 4) — The Bulldogs are almost locked into the No. 3 seed in 6-4A, but only lost to Vernon by a run both times. Those teams are pretty even. Or as Burk coach Scot Green put it, "They've beaten us by a run both times and I'm not sure that there's even that they're even a full run better than us. We're pretty even."
7. Rider (9-15, 8) — The Raiders simply won't go away. Just when you think they're fading out of the District 5-5A playoff race, they finally win a Tuesday game against an opponent other than Old High and make themselves more relevant.
8. Graham (16-12-1, 9) — Another week brings the same story for the Steers. They're a good team, but in a challenging district. They'd finish much higher in most districts, but will end up drawing No. 2 Abilene Wylie in the bi-district round instead.
9. Jacksboro (12-11-1, 7) — The Tigers were stunned by Nocona last week, but bounced back to run-rule Bowie, which is also in the playoff conversation. There may not be a team in the area has this much of a "Jeckyl and Hyde" personality.
10. Henrietta (10-14, NR) — The Bearcats did something no one else in District 8-3A has been able to pull off by beating Holliday. But they didn't just beat the Eagles, they humiliated them to the tune of 10-0 in five innings. If they can build on that win with another Friday against Paradise, the Bearcats may end up playoff bound.
Honor Roll
John Collins, Graham — Collins has been highly productive for the Steers in their last two District 6-4A games, going a combined 6 for 8 with two doubles, two runs and four RBIs.
Jayson Nixon, Henrietta — Nix has consistently produced runs for the Bearcats in the past week. In three games, he's gone 6 for 10 with a triple, five runs scored and two RBIs.
Clay Botello, Jacksboro — Botello had two game's worth of RBIs in one Tuesday, when he drove in six runs in Jacksboro's 12-2 win against Bowie. Botello was 3 for 4 with two doubles and a run scored.
Conner Byrd, Archer City — Not to be outdone, Byrd drove in seven runs Tuesday and accounted for 10 overall in Archer City's 25-8 win against Quanah. In the last two games, Byrd is a combined 7 for 8 with a home run, two doubles, five runs scored and nine RBIs.
Maclain Bowen, Windthorst — On a night when the Trojans' bats were struggling to produce runs, Bowen tossed a gem, holding Petrolia to one unearned run on one hit and one walk with 11 strikeouts.
Friday's Games to Watch
Baseball
Rider at Braswell — Braswell has already clinched a playoff spot. Rider is currently tied for third, but only hold a half-game lead on Denton Ryan and Sherman with three games left.
Burkburnett at Iowa Park — The Bulldogs felt like they played the Hawks closer than the 9-0 final score in the first meeting. They'll have to solve IP's top-notch pitching to have a chance and few have achieved that this season.
Jacksboro at Holliday — This game got a little more interesting with the Eagles losing to Henrietta. Now the Tigers, sitting two games back of Holliday in a tie for second, still have a good shot at the 8-3A title if they can pick up a win.
Henrietta at Paradise — The Panthers are currently alone in fourth, a full-game ahead of Henrietta and Bowie which are tied for fifth. It's Henrietta's chance to pull even.
Softball
Graham at Vernon — An error-filled eight-run inning propelled Graham past Vernon in the first meeting. The Lady Lions are looking to avenge the only blemish on their 6-4A record. Vernon also wants to avoid being the second seed, which will match up with Abilene Wylie in the opening round of the playoffs. Wylie owns victories against Graham and Vernon.
Henrietta at Paradise — Can the Lady Cats continue their winning ways? They've vaulted to the top of the District 8-3A standings and can clinch the district title with a win. Paradise is reeling from a 14-inning loss to City View on Tuesday. It needs a win to clinch a playoff spot and could end up missing the postseason with a loss.
City View at Boyd — These two teams are tied with Paradise with for second place in District 8-3A. Bowie is a game back in fifth, but draws winless-in-district Nocona to round out the season, meaning the Lady Rabbits are likely to reach eight wins. The winner of this one clinches a playoff spot. The loser could end up missing the postseason.
Petrolia at Archer City — Both have clinched a playoff spot, but Archer City could knock Petrolia down to the No. 3 seed with a win. The Lady Cats are still a viable offensive team, but can they silence Petrolia's big bats?