Here we go again: All four 30-3A baseball teams set for matchups in regional quarters
Banquete coach Rusty Miller admits the playoffs would not be the playoffs without Banquete and Bishop meeting at some point.
The two rivals have met three times in the past seven years, but in addition to the Badgers and Bulldogs renewing their rivalry, two more teams from District 30-3A will see each other again this week in the regional quarterfinals.
Along with the four teams from 30-3A, all four teams in District 31-4A are still alive in the postseason and of those eight teams at least four will be playing in the fourth round next week.
It's both parts expected and unexpected that the four squads from District 30-3A would meet in the regional quarterfinals for the second straight season. It's expected because the district is considered by those in South Texas and outside as arguably the state's most competitive district in the classification added onto a favorable road in the postseason, and unexpected in that it's the playoffs and anything can happen.
"Every Tuesday and Friday is a round three or round four playoff game," said Bishop coach Mike Medina, whose Badgers shared the District 30-3A title with London this season. "At (any) point in district anybody can beat anybody on any given day. Iron sharpens iron, and it gets you ready for matchups like this. I know all four teams are going to be ready."
Along with Bishop and Banquete renewing their rivalry in the playoffs for the third time since 2016, emerging program London and Santa Gertrudis Academy will play in a series, beginning Thursday at Whataburger Field, after the two teams split during the regular season.
The intensity of the games certainly paid dividends for London in 2021, when the Pirates advanced to the Class 3A state championship game. London co-head coach Albert Amaya said the competition is key but also the tightly contested games can prepare a team for any situation that may arise in the postseason.
"The defensive situations that come up ... everybody in our district knows baseball," Amaya said a few weeks ago after London lost a seeding game to Bishop. "They've got great coaching staffs and it just gets you on our toes. It definitely gets us ready for any situation."
The players experience the competition as well, and being one of the four playoff teams to qualify gives them a confidence that few teams in Class 3A carry into the postseason. A year ago, Bishop beat Banquete and London beat Hebbronville and the two met in the regional final.
"This district, since I was a freshman, has always been tough," said Bishop's Marcos Hernandez.
DISTRICT 30-3A MATCHUPS
BISHOP VS. BANQUETE
Game 1: 7, Wednesday, Cabaniss
Game 2: 7, Thursday, Alice
*Game 3: 2, Saturday, site TBA
LONDON VS. SANTA GERTRUDIS ACADEMY
Game 1: 4:30, Thursday, Whataburger Field
Game 2: Noon, Saturday
*Game 3: 30 min. following Game 2
High School Baseball: UIL Baseball Playoffs: Corpus Christi, Coastal Bend regional quarterfinal schedule
Len Hayward is a USA Today Sports Network Region sports director and the Caller-Times sports editor. Support more coverage like this by checking out our subscription options and special offers at Caller.com/subscribe
This article originally appeared on Corpus Christi Caller Times: 4 District 30-3A baseball teams set for matchups in UIL playoffs
