H-Town Reppin'
College World Series loaded with Houston-area baseball stars
Matt Malatesta
Jun 23, 2018, 6:52 pm
Elijah MacName is reppin' Cy Ranch at Mississippi State Vype
The NCAA College World Series is where legends are made.
This year is no different with so many opportunities to make a life-long memories in Omaha, Nebraska, where players can become legends for their respective schools.
Several Houston-area alums are on the biggest stage in college baseball with their eye on the prize of a national championship.
Cypress Ranch is home to a pair of college stars in Elijah MacNamee of Mississippi State and Masen Hibbeler of the University of Texas. MacNamee has already had a "Field of Dreams" moment in the Super Regional against Florida State. The outfielder hit a game-winning bomb to extend the series with the No. 1 Seminoles, which eventually led to a World Series appearance. Hibbeler is the starting infielder for the Longhorns and has been a cornerstone in their lineup.
Texas is also a landing spot for Strake Jesuit’s Zach Zubia and Memorial’s Cody Clemens. Both are big hitters in the Longhorn lineup and both have unique paths. Clemens is the son of MLB legend Roger Clemens, while Zubia was a dual-sport star for the Crusaders and originally signed with Tulane. He led Jesuit to their best showing in Class 6A playoff history.
Hailing from Arkansas is shortstop Jax Biggers, formerly of Ridge Point, while Texas Tech has a pair of arms in Dylan Dusek of Kempner and Ryan Shetter of Friendswood. The Red Raiders are the anchors of the pitching staff. Zach Rheams of Brazoswood has been a mainstay in Texas Tech’s lineup all season.
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How short-handed Texans can keep vibes high against struggling Patriots
Oct 10, 2024, 6:44 pm
The Houston Texans (4-1) will visit the struggling New England Patriots (1-4) this Sunday in a matchup that features teams trending in opposite directions. The Texans, led by rising star quarterback C.J. Stroud, are off to their best start since 2012, while the Patriots, mired in a four-game losing streak, turn to rookie QB Drake Maye for his first NFL start.
Texans Overview:
Houston’s offense has been solid, ranking 6th overall and boasting the NFL’s top passing attack. However, injuries loom large with wide receiver Nico Collins, the league’s leading receiver, placed on injured reserve. The Texans will rely more heavily on veteran Stefon Diggs, who has been a steady contributor, and hope for the return of RB Dameon Pierce. The defense, ranking 4th overall, will look to pressure the rookie quarterback, especially with its league-leading 42% pressure rate, per NextGen stats.
Patriots Overview:
New England’s offense has struggled mightily, ranking 31st overall and dead last in passing. The rookie Drake Maye will attempt to provide a spark after the Patriots’ offense has averaged just 11.5 points per game over their last four losses. However, a banged-up offensive line and key injuries on defense, including the loss of safety Jabrill Peppers, leave the Patriots vulnerable.
Key Matchup:
The Texans' pass rush versus New England’s offensive line will be pivotal. The Texans have terrorized quarterbacks all season, and with the Patriots using their fifth different O-line combination, Maye could be in for a rough debut.
Prediction:
The Texans' explosive passing game and relentless defense give them the upper hand, especially against a Patriots team facing instability on both sides of the ball. Houston is favored by 7 points, and unless New England's rookie QB performs beyond expectations, the Texans are well-positioned to continue their strong start to the season.
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