AUSTIN, Texas — The London Pirates are going to back to the UIL high school baseball State Championship since they won it all in 2022. They battled back against Huntington, winning the 3A-DI Semifinal 6-3.
London senior pitcher Zak Garcia came in relief for Ethan Ortega. Garcia dealt 8 strikeouts through 4.1 innings, while only allowing 2 hits and walking 3 batters. Ortega went 2.2 innings, dealing 4 punchouts and allowing 4 hits, 3 runs and 2 walks.
"We've been battle tested before. I knew you know hold them off long enough and we're going to have a big hit," Garcia said. "RJ came through with a big hit. There's nothing else we could ask for, but better at-bats."
Pirates got on the board in the top of the first when Garcia hit an RBI single to center field and Ortega grounded out. However, that did not last long. Huntington tied it up 2-2 when Connor Young tripled in the bottom of the second. Then a single by Alex McGilvra in the third frame gave the Red Devils the 3-2 lead.
London stole the lead in the sixth inning. Senior second baseman RJ Olivares hit a 2 RBI double to left field. Then Connor Clary drew a walk scoring 1 run, and Max Carreon hit an RBI single for the comfortable 6-3 edge. The Pirates tallied 9 hits in the game.
The UIL 3A-DI State Championship is scheduled for Thursday, June 5, at 7 p.m. at Dell Diamond in Round Rock. London will play the winner of Liberty-Eylau and Iowa Park.
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, 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
