Dragon Baseball’s Dream Season Ends in 6A State Semifinals

ROUND ROCK – The Dragon baseball team fell one game short of playing for a Class 6A state championship.

Carroll suffered heartbreak in the state semifinal with a 3-2 loss to eventual state champion Deer Park on Friday at Dell Diamond.

The Dragons held a 2-1 lead entering the bottom of the sixth inning before Deer Park (35-8-1) scored two runs. The go-ahead run scored on a controversial balk call by the third base umpire. Runners were at first and third at the time.

In the top of the seventh, the Dragons’ rally fell short with runners at first and second. Carroll, which returned to the state tournament for the first time since 2008, finished the year 32-11-1. Despite starting the season with few players with varsity experience, the Dragons overcome this with a consistent offensive lineup, strong pitching and defense.

Carroll senior shortstop Jake Murphy and junior second baseman Cade Bell (pictured) were selected to the 6A all-tournament team. Murphy had two hits, including an RBI single and Bell had a double.

Pitcher Kole Ramage, an Arkansas signee, went six innings and allowed six hits and had four strikeouts. The Dragons finished with nine hits.

Carroll returns four starters next year and two of its top three pitchers.