Joel Proksch
Flower Mound
For the 17 seniors and eight returning starters on this year’s Carroll baseball team, big game wins and championship playoff runs was just part of their DNA.
Capturing back-to-back Class 6A state titles in 2018 and 2019, the Dragons went 22-0 in the playoffs the last two seasons and 32-2 over the last three. Carroll coach Larry Vucan says a winning mentality and cohesion on the field set his group apart.
“All these kids have known is going to Austin and playing in the final four,” says Vucan, who took over the Dragons program when the current seniors were freshmen. “They’re very talented from a skillset standpoint, but the enduring legacy is their chemistry. They play so well together and really love each other.”
The talent and experience went hand-in-hand to produce results. Senior infielder Cade Manning (committed to Texas State) was described by Vucan as the best hitter in the state. Outfielder Justin Grech (Lafayette College signee) was MVP of the 6A state tournament in 2019 and continued to impress. Catcher Yanluis Ortiz (University of Miami recruit) is a powerful RBI machine, outfielder Brandon Howell (Tulane commit) produced many clutch hits this season and sophomore pitcher Griffin Herring is a star in the making.
SEASON RECAP
With the chance at a state three-peat on Carroll fans’ minds, the Dragons appeared to pick up where they left off last year. The team compiled a 12-2 record when play was halted just before the start of district competition due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“It kind of hit me [with the April 17 final ruling to cancel the rest of the high school season] that the chance of a three-peat is over,” Vucan says. “I didn’t really take it to heart until then.”
Carroll left it all on the field while they had the chance, finding ways to win several one-run games and putting together a 10-game win streak.
Strong performances in hitting, pitching and fielding, as well as veteran savvy and talented young additions made the prospect of district play and postseason opportunities look promising once again.
“I don’t have a magic 8-ball, and can’t say we would have won it all again, but I think we were ready to compete,” Vucan says. “I felt really good about their potential.”
’20 Roster
Head Coach: Larry Vucan
Assistant Coaches: Shad Whiteley, Zach Sellers
0 Kaden Calkins Sr.
1 Max Reyes So.
2 Tyler Darnell Sr.
3 Jamie Evans Sr.
4 Tyson Drake So.
5 Riley Garcia Sr.
6 Clark Springs So.
7 Luke Gornell Jr.
8 Ryan Pehrson Jr.
9 Justin Grech Sr.
10 Paul Bonzagni Sr.
11 Weston Johnson Sr.
12 Jack Nielsen Sr.
13 Jerry Cuevas Sr.
14 Griffin Herring So.
15 Brandon Howell Sr.
16 Owen Proksch So.
17 Zac Colletti So.
18 Grant Golomb Sr.
19 Tyler White Fr.
20 Cade Manning Sr.
21 Homer Bush Sr.
23 Thomas Wrehe Sr.
24 Gunnar Krug Jr.
25 Ethan Mann Sr.
26 Bronson Housmans Sr.
30 Christopher Ciccone Sr.
32 Seppa Verhaert Sr.
34 Yanluis Ortiz Sr.
42 Jared White Fr.