Fayetteville Wins Regional Title – Next Stop State

Seniors Hope to Cap High School Careers with Another Championship

They already have their diplomas.

But they have one more test left.

Two weeks after they graduated from high school, the five seniors on the Fayetteville baseball team would love nothing more than to add another state baseball title to close out their high school resume.

“It would mean everything,” said Fayetteville senior first baseman Parker Vitek. “To win again with my friends – we’re all really good buddies – it would mean the world.”

The Lions, led by those five seniors, Vitek, Travis Gully, Logan Fritsch, Karson Corn and Ty Knight won the regional title last week in San Marcos (by beating the defending state champs D’Hanis) and now Fayetteville turns its attention to the state tournament.

The Lions (19-6) play Wednesday at noon at Dell Diamond against Nazareth (18-4) in the state semifinals. The winner of that game plays back at Dell Diamond Thursday at 9 a.m. for the state title against the winner of the Abbott (21-4) vs. Kennard (2212) semifinal. These Fayetteville players are no stranger to the state tournament – or these opponents. Two years ago the Lions won the state title by beating Nazareth 4-0 in the semis and Kennard 6-4 in the finals.

“They surprised themselves two years ago, it was a lot of freshmen and sophomores on that team, and nobody expected them to win it and they did,” Fayetteville head coach Clint Jaeger said.

“Since we were little, people always told us this group is going to win a state championship, but nobody thought it would be our sophomore year,” Fritsch said.

But then last year, with most of that 2021 title team back, the Lions were stunned by D’Hanis in the regional finals. Now those Lions that won state as little sophomores are experienced seniors.

“There’s a lot different about us this year,” Vitek said. “After last year’s tough loss, it changed our mindset. It sucked losing last year, but it has helped us because now we want it way more.”

Make no mistake, these Lions are defined by a lot more than just their seniors. The two pitchers that started the regional finals games were a sophomore (Chance Konvicka) and a freshman (Jack Schley). There’s also numerous other key Lions starters who will be back next year.

But in terms of leadership, Jaeger loves this senior class.

He turned the pitch-calling responsibilities over to senior catcher Fritsch because Jaeger said, “he showed me he has the confidence and the knowledge to do it. I enjoy watching him call his own game, and the pitchers have a lot of confidence in him.”

Vitek, the senior first baseman, is the unofficial team captain, Jaeger said. “He’s our motivator. He’s a great teammate. He doesn’t need the limelight. He just wants to go play, and wants to go win.”

Gully, the senior shortstop is Jaeger’s “complete player” who is getting the chance to play college ball at the University of St. Thomas in Houston.

Corn and Knight, senior reserves, provide speed on the bases and leadership in the dugout, Jaeger said.

It’s a recipe that’s led the Lions to 12 consecutive wins.

Over the course of seven playoff games this season, the Lions have scored in double figures in every one.

“We probably have more pitching now than we did two years ago, I think our defense is better and our lineup 1-9 can hit the ball,” Jaeger said.

For those seniors, there’s no classes or homework to worry about anymore. All that’s left of high school is baseball.

And all they need to do is win two more games.

“It’s a little weird to be graduated and still playing baseball, but I’m taking in every moment because I know it’s my last year,” Fritsch said.

“We’re hungry,’ Gully said. “Ever since we got the first championship, I’ve been dreaming of getting the next one. I wanted those three championship rings, but I’m okay with two if we can get it.”