Bucs-Manvel meet for the first time ever in playoffs

May 9, 2013

Clute, TX- Brazoswood and Manvel will meet for the first time ever in the Area Championship round beginning Friday May 10, 2013. Manvel is led by team leader- Shane McCarley in pitching and hitting. Dalton Bennett, Trey and Zach Silvers are also top hitters for the upstart Mavericks. Manvel is not doing bad for a school in Class 5A for the first year ever. 24-4A was the old home for the Mavericks, which gave the Mavs lots of practice for its entry into 22-5A. Manvel played in 24-4A for the past two seasons with schools like Santa Fe, Friendswood, and Pearland Dawson.

Manvel finished as the third place team in 22-5A this season, behind Pearland and Alvin. Manvel finished ahead of Pasadena Dobie. Manvel was 14-14-1 (9-5 in district), catching hell against former 24-5A rivals: Alvin and Pearland. Manvel lost to Alvin 14-4, and 13-3 (5 innings). Manvel also lost to Pearland 3-2 (8 innings), and 15-1 (5 innings). Maybe the best most teams would've been is third in 22-5A this year- not bad considering the company.

Manvel handled LaPorte easily in two games in bi-district winning 7-3, and 7-4. The Bucs appear to be peaking at just the right time. The only loss for the Bucs was at Elkins in game 2 in bi-district (3-5), a game which the Bucs loaded the bases throughout the game but left many stranded. Joey Pulido, Andrew Laughner, and Anthony Dahl are leading the Bucs in pitching, with Jacob Reed, Ryan Rios, on hand for relief. Manvel and Pearland are the only surviving teams left from 22-5A. Alvin lost to North Shore in two close games, and Deer Park smoked Dobie 12-1 in one game. Bwood and Clear Falls remain in 24-5A. Clear Springs and Clear Creek already checked out in bi-district. In fact, Clear Falls/ Pearland play the winner of Bwood/Manvel. By the numbers/ polls, Pearland is the horse out of these four but many times in years past it has been proven that rankings and numbers don't translate on the field- the game goes to who wants it the most.