Marble Falls baseball tied for first in district but with tough schedule ahead

JENNIFER FIERRO • PICAYUNE STAFF

MARBLE FALLS — After three weeks of District 25-4A play, the Marble Falls High School baseball team shares the top spot with Dripping Springs with an 8-1 record.Each squad has had an eight-game winning streak, though the Mustangs have the opportunity to extend theirs.

With three weeks left in the regular season, both teams have won all three series they’ve played: Marble Falls swept Leander Vandegrift, Leander Rouse and beat Cedar Park High 2-1; the Tigers swept Rouse and Vandegrift and beat Vista Ridge 2-1.

“The other three teams we played were all pretty good,” Mustangs head coach J.T. Blair said. “I’ve been really impressed with the level of play. It’s been tough.”

And yet no district team has clinched a playoff spot, Blair said.

That’s because Marble Falls still has to play current fourth-place team Cedar Park Vista Ridge starting April 4 at 7 p.m., Dripping Springs beginning April 9 and third-place squad Leander to end the regular season in mid-April.

Dripping Springs still has to play Leander and Cedar Park, while Leander’s bye next week means extra time to prepare for the Mustangs.

And Vista Ridge might have the easiest remaining schedule after Marble Falls, playing against Cedar Park and Rouse.

Only a handful of losses separates Leander from forcing a three-way tie for first place, and Blair said he’s not surprised by how close the games have been. Most have been decided by no more than two runs among the top four squads.

“I think everybody in this district is in survival mode,” he said. “The way it’s set up is obviously tough.”

But the Mustangs’ remaining schedule helps them.

Of the nine games remaining, Marble Falls plays five in the friendly confines of Scearce Field, where they’re 8-1. Two of the three against Vista Ridge are in Marble Falls: Game 1 at 7 p.m. April 4 and Game 3 at 2 p.m. April 6. The second game is at Vista Ridge, 200 S. Vista Ridge Parkway in Cedar Park, at 7 p.m. April 5.

“Our home record has been good,” Blair said. “No doubt the four playoff teams that come out of this district will be ready for the playoffs. No doubt about that. I think we have as good a shot as anybody.”

jfierro@thepicayune.com

[tabs style=”default”] [tab title=”DISTRICT STANDINGS”]

Dripping Springs, 8-1

Marble Falls, 8-1

Leander, 8-4

Cedar Park Vista Ridge, 4-5

Cedar Park, 3-6

Leander Vandegrift, 2-10

Leander Rouse, 3-9

[/tab] [tab title=”REMAINING SCHEDULES FOR TOP 4″]

Marble Falls – April 4 vs. Vista Ridge, April 5 at Vista Ridge, April 6 vs. Vista Ridge; April 9 at Dripping Springs, April 12 vs. Dripping Springs, April 13 at Dripping Springs; April 16 vs. Leander, April 19 at Leander, April 20 vs. Leander

Dripping Springs – April 4 at Leander, April 5 vs. Leander, April 6 at Leander; April 9 vs. Marble Falls, April 12 at Marble Falls, April 13 vs. Marble Falls; April 16 at Cedar Park, April 19 vs. Cear Park, April 20 at Cedar Park

Vista Ridge – April 4 at Marble Falls, April 5 vs. Marble Falls, April 6 at Marble Falls; April 9 vs. Cedar Park, April 12 at Cedar Park, April 13 vs. Cedar Park; April 16 at Rouse, April 19 vs. Rouse, April 20 at  Rouse

Leander – April 4 vs. Dripping Springs, April 5 at Dripping Springs, April 6 vs. Dripping Springs; April 9-13 bye; April 16 at Marble Falls, April 19 vs. Marble Falls, April 20 at Marble Falls

[/tab] [/tabs]