By Michael Adams
Austin Sports Journal

ROUND ROCK — Wimberley senior Cody Stoever built a reputation for carrying the Texans on the football field in big moments. On Friday morning, he found himself in a familiar position — this time on the baseball diamond.

With two outs in the top of the seventh inning of the UIL Class 4A Division II state championship game, Stoever represented the go-ahead run. But on a full count, he swung through a 3-2 pitch from Longview Spring Hill’s Cayden Rhodes, sealing a 5-3 win for the Panthers and ending Wimberley’s title hopes at Dell Diamond.

“I can’t say enough about these kids — they fought until the very end, and really, that’s all they’ve done all season,” said Wimberley head coach Jeremy Locke. “They aren’t going to go out easy, and that’s what they showed here today. I couldn’t be more proud of them.”

Wimberley (26-8-1) struck first, stringing together three hits in the top of the first inning. Senior Ty Thames scored on a single by sophomore Sage Hall to give the Texans a 1-0 lead.

But Spring Hill (35-7) broke through in the bottom of the fourth, tagging Thames for four runs to take control. The Panthers added another run in the fifth to extend their lead to 5-1.

Spring Hill starter Landon Bartell was dominant, holding Wimberley hitless from the second through the sixth innings. He earned the win, allowing five hits and three runs over six innings, with four strikeouts and two walks.

The Texans mounted a final rally in the seventh. Maverick Jacobs led off with a single, and Bryson Anderson was hit by a pitch. After a flyout, Thames reached on a fielder’s choice to load the bases. Senior Wyatt Yeatter then delivered a two-run single up the middle, scoring Jacobs and Anderson and bringing the tying run to second.

But the Panthers held firm. Hall grounded out, and Stoever struck out to end the game.

“(Spring Hill) is a good team — there’s a reason they’re here,” Locke said. “This senior group at Wimberley is like no other. They’ve competed and succeeded in every sport. They’re going to excel in everything they do — and in life. It’s been a blessing.”

It was an end to a remarkable year for Wimberley’s athletic program with a lot of firsts, including the baseball team and girls soccer teams; first appearances in a state championship game. The volleyball team won the Class 4A Division II state championships, while the football team reached the state semifinals for the third straight year, the boys basketball team reached the regional finals for the first time and the boys track and field team finished second at the UIL state meet.