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Austin Westlake rallies late to earn sweep of San Antonio Reagan and a trip to state tournament

ROUND ROCK - After trailing for most of the game, Chandler Geller slapped a single to right field driving in the winning run for Westlake Saturday afternoon as they downed San Antonio Reagan 4-3 in the Class 5A, Region IV finals. The Chaparrals swept the series two games to none and advanced to the state baseball tournament for the first time in 10 years.

Westlake (26-12) will return to Dell Diamond on Friday to take on Lufkin in the 5A state semifinals.

SA Reagan (31-7) looked like they were about to force a game three as they held a 3-1 lead heading into the bottom of the seventh. That all changed a few minutes later after Reagan starting pitcher found himself in trouble as the Chaps put runners at the corners. Stephen Koening and Adam Seitzman singled and then Seitzman swiped second. Miles Hanson then stepped to the plate and singled up the middle for two RBI which tied the game up.

Westlake’s Michael Perkins made a spectacular diving catch that led to a double play and kept Reagan from scoring in their half of the inning. Westlake then came to bat and Koening came through again but this time it was a ground rule double and it set the stage for Geller who delivered the game winning hit.

Reagan picked up their runs early in the game after a bad pickoff throw led to their first run. Westlake committed another error in the fifth which helped Reagan go out in front 3-1.

James Ferguson was the starting pitcher for Westlake and he turned in 7 1/3 quality innings even though he was reportedly ill. James Ferguson (12-2) came on in relief to hold off a Reagan rally in the eighth and go on to pitch a scoreless ninth.

Carter Hahn went 6 2/3 innings for Reagan allowing three runs and striking out six. Corbin Oakes threw the final 1 2/3 innings.