After a challenging start to its season, the Coppell baseball team put in the work to return to postseason. Early parts of the season were highlighted by scoring few runs and splitting series but the team recollected itself and worked to dominate at the plate and began to capitalize off of errors in recent weeks.

“[Splitting series] put us back a few games, so the pressure was on us early,” Coppell senior right fielder Will Rodman said. “We came together defensively and gradually began to pick up the hitting. It all seemed to come together these past few weeks and we’ve been hot.”

A strong finish to the season put the Cowboys (24-7-1) in second seed of District 6-6A, trailing Marcus by one game. Now, the Cowboys prepare to face Denton Guyer (16-18-1) in the Class 6A bi-district playoffs in a three game series. Games will be held tomorrow at the Coppell ISD Baseball/Softball Complex, with first pitch at 7:30 p.m., Friday at Denton Guyer High School, with first pitch at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, with first pitch at 1 p.m. and location TBD, if necessary.

Starting playoffs by hosting its first game is an opportune moment for the Cowboys to snatch an early victory for the series, playing in front of the boisterous Cowboy crowd, where they have won 71% of their home district games.

“We have some of the best fans and student sections in the district,” Coppell senior pitcher Chayton Krauss said. “With them behind us, it helps our momentum and support us even when things aren’t going great. ”

Coming into this series, the Cowboys have added confidence after playing Guyer earlier in the year in tournament play, winning 8-1. While it did not face Guyer’s top lineup and both teams have developed since, the Cowboys were able to familiarize themselves with the Guyer game plan. 

“Anytime you win, it’s going to give you confidence,” Coppell coach Ryan Howard said. “But we understand that that was two months ago and everybody has gotten better. We’re playing a three game series and it’s win or go home. We’re going to have to play our best game [because] we know we’re going to get theirs.”

With Guyer’s talented pitchers, the Cowboys’ game plan is less about singling out one player and more about perfecting their game and not entering the game overconfident.

“We’re confident that if we play the way we know how to play, we’re going to be a tough matchup for anybody,” Howard said.

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