Baseball Season Wrap-Up
Apache Baseball capped off an exciting and hard-fought 2024 season with a strong showing at the Region XIV Tournament. After an up-and-down regular season filled with highs and lows, the Apaches battled their way to a postseason berth in one of the most competitive North divisions in recent memory. TJC ultimately secured the #3 seed heading into the tournament.
Game 1 – TJC vs. San Jacinto College-North
Final Score: San Jac 3, TJC 1
TJC opened tournament play against the #2 seed, San Jacinto College-North. In a tightly contested game, the Apaches fell 3-1 despite a solid pitching performance. Kade Budd (4-2) threw 5.1 innings, allowing only one earned run and striking out five. Offensively, Finn Kaiyala drove in TJC's only run in the 6th inning, while Troy Johnson and Landry Stamps each recorded a hit.
Game 2 – TJC vs. Alvin Community College
Final Score: TJC 7, Alvin 6
Facing elimination, the Apaches bounced back with a gritty 7-6 win over Alvin CC. Chase Fuentes led the offense with three hits and two RBIs, while Sawyer Dunagan launched a home run. Will Patterson earned the start and allowed just one earned run across five innings. Chris Langley (3-0) picked up the win in relief, holding off a late rally from Alvin.
Game 3 – TJC vs. Bossier Parish
Final Score: TJC 6, Bossier Parish 5
In another elimination game, the Apaches edged out Bossier Parish 6-5 in a dramatic comeback. Preston Newberry and Lathan Van Ausdall combined for eight hits and scored five of TJC's six runs. Austin Shirley went six innings on the mound, and Landon Fuller (5-3) closed out the final three frames for the win.
Game 4 – TJC vs. San Jacinto College-North (Rematch)
Final Score: San Jac 8, TJC 3
In a rematch with San Jacinto for a spot in the championship, the Apaches came up short. San Jac jumped out early with a six-run second inning, and TJC was unable to recover. Despite the loss, the offense continued to show heart, collecting 10 hits. Zack Zavala and Chase Fuentes each drove in a run, while Newberry and Van Ausdall each notched a double.
Season Summary:
The Apaches finished the season with a 31-22 overall record and 17-13 in Region XIV play, ultimately earning Region XIV Runner-Up honors. Despite midseason adversity, the team showcased resilience and determination, making a deep tournament run and delivering standout performances on both sides of the ball. The 2024 season was a testament to the program's depth, fight, and talent — setting the stage for future success.