TYLER, Texas-It will be a clash of rival baseball powerhouses when fourth-ranked Pleasant Grove takes on second-ranked Argyle in the best-of-3, Class 4A Region II semifinals with Game 1 today at 7:30 p.m. at Mike Carter Field.
Game 2 is Saturday at 2 p.m. back at Mike Carter Field, and a third game, if needed, will follow.
Both teams are undefeated in the playoffs.
The Hawks (31-3) defeated Canton, 9-0 and 1-0, in the regional quarterfinals in a best-of-3 series, and the Eagles (26-1) shut out Bonham 12-0 in a one-game playoff.
"Regardless of who it is that gets the credit for the win, we talk to our players about doing anything possible that can help the team," Pleasant Grove head coach Riley Fincher said. "All they care about is being a team, and that is what's so fun about this team."
Argyle and the Hawks have a playoff history that goes back to the 2011 regionals finals. The two teams have faced each other six times either in the regional semifinals
or regional finals.
Pleasant Grove has eliminated Argyle twice in the regional finals. The Hawks defeated the Eagles 2 games to 1 in the 2011 regional finals.
In 2014, the Eagles ended their streak of six consecutive regional championships, which also earned PG state tournament berths.
"Argyle is definitely one of the top teams in the state," Fincher said. "If you look at the Eagles' history in how many times they've been to the state tournament, winning the state championship, and how they are playing at a high level, they have set the standard.
"We know about them, and they know about us. We are excited about the opportunity, and we are ready to play a good series."
The Hawks defeated Spring Hill, 2 games to none, in the area round, 3-1 and 3-1. PG started out its playoff run with a 2 games to none series win over Van, 13-3 and 8-4, in the bi-district round.
The Eagles got past Princeton, 6-1, in the area round, and run-ruled Roosevelt 17-0 in the bi-district round.
PG are the District 14-4A champions, while Argyle are the champions from District 9-4A.
"At this point in the playoffs, we are going to have to get good starting pitching," Fincher said. "We are going to have to get good, timely hitting and play solid defense behind our pitcher."
Caleb Bolden will start on the mound for the Hawks with Keaton Russo playing catcher. Will Hlavinka starts at first, Cade Thompson at second, and Connor Ouellette plays third. Rounding out the infield is Jackson Cobb at shortstop, and Tyler Jeans is the designated hitter. Jeans will be the starting pitcher for Game 2.
Nathan Brinkley starts in left field, Carson Cox plays center, and Heath Ferguson is the right fielder.
The winner of the series will play either Decatur or Gilmer in the regional finals next week.
All games will be broadcast on 94.1 KTRG.