ROUND ROCK, Texas — London has won their second baseball State Championship in program history. The Pirates defeated Texarkana Liberty-Eylau 4-3 in the UIL 3A-DI State Championship at Dell Diamond in Round Rock.
Here's how it happened. London scored in the top of the first on a wild pitch. Liberty-Eylau tied it up in the bottom frame on a ground out.
Then London answered right back in the second inning when Zach Tyrone singles on a pop fly to left field. The Leopards pull ahead 3-2 in the bottom frame again. This time on a fielder's choice that had an obstruction call between third and home, and on a sac fly to right field.
London steals the lead for good in the fifth inning. Christian Olivares singles on a deep hit to left field, and Zach Garcia dives home tying the game at 3-3. Then Max Carreon sent a fly ball to left field for a sac fly, bringing home RJ Olivares.
Starting pitcher Ethan Ortega was named MVP. The senior went 1-for-2 at the plate and dealt 3 strikeouts, while only allowing 2 hits, 2 runs and 3 walks through 5 innings.
“Able to help my team out and contribute, and for us to win means the world honestly," Ortega said. "To do it with RJ (Olivares) and Christian (Olivares) I mean they’re my guys. I love it man. This is such a great feeling.”
London junior catcher Christian Olivares sparked the comeback in the fifth, tying it up at 3 with an RBI single.
“It meant the world to me," Christian Olivares said. "I knew in that moment it was just going to take one swing and one person, whether it was me or somebody else to do it and I’m just grateful God let me do it.”
A moment Christian and his older brother RJ were close to missing.
“Praise the Lord man. I mean me and Christian got into a car accident the other day before the Concordia (University) game, and it was really unexpected," RJ Olivares said. "We were on the way to practice. Just thank God we just came out alive and healthy. For God to put us back over here on the field and for us to be here tonight is just special.
London sophomore Aiden Salinas slid for home on a wild pitch to put the Pirates on top early 1-0.
“My brother got one. I mean it would have been great to get it with him last year," Aiden Salinas said. "He got his opportunity and he won. I got my opportunity and I won. It’s just an awesome feeling. We’ve got a special group of kids.”
He’s sharing this title with his father Trey Salinas, an assistant coach for London baseball.
“You know we’ve been battling for five years. Last year I had both of my sons and we came up short, so this was really special," Trey Salinas said. "I’m really happy for him and I’m really happy for everyone on the team.”
London graduated six senior starters last spring, so the Pirates found a way to rebuild and reload for a Championship finish.
“Having a lot of new guys at new positions these guys worked their tails off all season long, and for them to put themselves in this position to win the game and all of the adversity that went on during the game," said Co-Head Coach Albert Amaya. "They never folded, and they came out on top at the end. I’m so proud of them.”
Congratulations to the Pirates and the six seniors that are graduating.
Coastal Bend Baseball State Tournament History
Calallen - 2025, 2024 (State Runner-Up), 2011 (State Runner-Up), 2010 (State Runner-up), 2008 (State Champion), 2005 (State Champion), 2003 (State Semifinals), 2002 (State Runner-Up), 2000 (State Champion), 1998 (State Runner-Up), 1996 (State Semifinals), 1995 (State Semifinals), 1993 (State Semifinals)
London - 2025 (State Champion), 2024 (State Semifinals), 2023 (State Semifinals), 2022 (State Champion), 2021 (State Runner-Up)
Orange Grove - 2025, 1994 (State Champion)
Sinton - 2023 (State Semifinals), 2022 (State Champion), 2021 (State Semifinals), 2017 (State Semifinals), 2014 (State Semifinals), 2007 (State Semifinals), 2003 (State Runner-up), 2002 (State Champion), 1999 (State Semifinals), 1989 (State Champion), 1988 (State Champion), 1975 (State Runner-up)
Incarnate Word Academy - 2019 (State Runner-Up), 2003 (State Semifinals), 2001 (State Semifinals), 2000 (State Semifinals), 1999 (State Semifinals), 1998 (State Runner-Up)
Veterans Memorial - 2018 (State Semifinals)
Moody - 2017 (State Semifinals), 2013 (State Runner-Up), 2009 (State Runner-Up), 2007 (State Champion), 2006 (State Semifinals), 2004 (State Champion), 2003 (State Semifinals), 2000 (State Runner-Up), 1997 (State Semifinals), 1995 (State Semifinals), 1994 (State Runner-Up) 1983 (State Runner-Up), 1978 (State Semifinals)
Banquete - 2016 (State Semifinals)
Bishop - 2015 (State Runner-Up)
Carroll - 2012 (State Semifinals), 2011 (State Semifinals), 2010 (State Champion), 1993 (State Semifinals), 1989 (State Runner-Up), 1972 (State Semifinals), 1962 (State Semifinals)
St. John Paul II - 2012 (TAPPS State Semifinals), 2011 (TAPPS State Champion), 2010 (TAPPS State Champion)
Robstown - 2011 (State Semifinals), 1992 (State Champion), 1991 (State Champion), 1990 (State Runner-Up), 1988 (State Semifinals), 1987 (State Semifinals)
Falfurrias - 2006 (State Runner-Up), 1993 (State Runner-Up), 1991 (State Champion)
Santa Gertrudis Academy - 1999 (State Runner-Up)
Freer - 1990 (State Champion)
Three Rivers - 1987 (State Semifinals)
Riviera Kaufer - 1986 (State Champion), 1985 (State Champion), 1982 (State Semifinals), 1979 (State Champion)
Odem - 1984 (State Champion)
Alice - 1970 (State Semifinals)
King - 1967 (State Champion)
Solomon Coles - 1965 (PVIL State Champion)
Corpus Christi Academy - 1957 (TCIL State Champion)
Miller - 1951
