Baseball: Friendswood extends season

Friendswood baseball hasn't faced Angleton this season, but it doesn't mean the Class 4A Region III quarterfinal opponents don't know all about each other.

The former district co-members meet for the first time since 2010 in a one-game region quarterfinals playoff at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, May 19, at Dawson High School in Pearland, with the winner moving on against Montgomery or Magnolia.

"We've watched Angleton a couple of times, and I'm sure they've seen us, too," Friendswood coach Charlie Taylor said. "Angleton has a solid team this year as they've had in years past."

District 23-4A runner-up Angleton blanked Dawson 3-0 in bi-district, and swept Houston ISD Austin 11-0 and 14-3 in the area round to earn the right to face Friendswood.

The 24-4A champion Mustangs started the postseason by eliminating Foster 4-5, 2-1 and 17-16, and stopping Davis 10-5 last week.

Friendswood and Angleton split two-game district series for three seasons from 2008-2010 with each team winning on the road, and the Mustangs swept Angleton in 2007.

"The schools have always had a good rivalry, and who knows, we could end up in the same district once again in the future," Taylor said. "Angleton has to be good to be here this week, and you're only going to see good teams from here on."

Friendswood sophomore pitcher Jordan Wood recorded the win against Davis going four frames while giving up one run and three hits.

Junior Jarius Alexander finished up the final three innings.

"Wood could very well be our starter against Angleton, but we're holding off on a final decision," Taylor said. "We'll take into consideration what went on in practice this week, and who we think will give us the best matchups against Angleton."

Senior first baseman Tyler Sullivan had three hits and two RBIs, junior left fielder Jared Gaspard had two doubles and two RBIs, senior second baseman Kevin Rhodes and two hits including a double, and senior third baseman Pete Maetzold had a two-run triple against Davis.

"We had some key hits, but we also left some runners out there," Taylor said. "We have to do a better job when we have people in scoring position and take advantage of those situations.

"I think the players' approach will be different this week and they'll be more mentally prepared."

After not qualifying for the playoffs in 2008, Angleton won postseason openers in 2009 and 2010 before falling to Waltrip in the second round.

Over the past three seasons, Friendswood has been one of the best 4A teams in Texas while winning a region title and advancing to the state semifinals in 2008, reaching the region semifinals in 2009, and going to the region finals last year.

The Mustangs were knocked out by Brenham last season.

The Friendswood-Angleton winner plays Magnolia or Montgomery in region semifinals.

The other region quarterfinals pairing in 4A-III are Willis vs. Brenham and Lamar Consolidated vs. Santa Fe.