BUCCANEERS BRING TROPHY BACK TO HOUSTON 5A

BY RANDY BYERS – COPYRIGHT 2011 HOUSTON 5A BASEBALL

The Drought Is Over

It’s been four long school years (3 seasons) since Houston 5A has experienced a State Champion. During that 3 season hiatus we have witnessed Region 1, 2, & 4, collect Championship Hardware. In 30 years of 5A play on record, Houston 5A has never suffered such a drought; never has it been more than two seasons.

Well that drought came to an abrupt halt on Saturday afternoon thanks to the big booming bats of the Brazoswood Buccaneers.  Now a three-time Champion, Buccaneers Head Coach Bobby Williams reflected on his involvement in all three.  “Well I’ve been in one as a player, Asst. Coach, and now a Head Coach. I would say there’s nothing sweeter than being a player in the State Championship”. What makes this one so special is this group of players. Like the 92 team, that’s the one we’re compared to it was just like this one.

Not All Peaches & Cream For Bucs in 2011

As the 2011 season got underway the Bucs were muddling around with somewhat of a slow start and out came the questions. “We started out the season with a lot of doubts in our minds, where kids were playing, what position they were hitting, but it was a little bit of progression each time and by the time we got to end of district I felt they could play with anyone”.

Undefeated In 2011 Post Season

The Buccaneers accomplished what many never do; they went a perfect 12-0 in the post season. With many teams opting for three gamers this is a most impressive accomplishment and when you look at the path traveled its monumental. Heading into the play-offs, the Buccaneers carried the H5AB Coaches #13 ranking and stepped on the gas from that point on defeating Kempner in a two game sweep, swept South Houston in two games, swept H5AB Coaches #19, Deer Park in two games, swept H5AB Coaches #2, HISD Lamar in two games, swept H5AB Coaches #3, Memorial in two games. That got them to the State Tournaments where they defeated H5AB Coaches #12 to reach the Championship game vs. Coronado.

The Game

Bobby Franklin started for the Bucs going 3.2 IP surrendering three runs but was miraculously able to pitch into, and out of trouble for two+ of his innings pitched facing twenty-one batters. Junior Justin Dellenger (W) would replace Franklin and spin 2.2 scoreless innings before being relieved in the seventh by Bucs Ace Brandon Bergen who quickly slammed the door in his 0.2 IP. The Buccaneer bats were hot today with John Ermis, Dalton Perry, William Renner, Will Easter, and Justin Dellenger, combining for a 10-for-15 performance driving in all ten of their runs in the game. (See complete box score here). James Cantu added a 2-for-4 performance while scoring three times.  

Championship Trophy Back In Houston 5A

There are now thirty seasons of 5A play on record with the UIL. In those thirty seasons, Houston 5A teams have won seventeen State Championships. The Brazoswood Buccaneers have won three of those (1984, 1992, 2011) adding to the lore of an already elite program in Texas 5A play.