Amarillo High sends off 14 seniors after historic run to UIL 5A State Semifinals

ROUND ROCK, Texas (KFDA) - The Amarillo High Sandies (33-10 end their historic season at the UIL 5A State Semifinals against Barbers Hill 12-8. The Sandies sendoff 14 seniors after advancing to the state tournament for the first time since 2016, and fourth time in program history.

“I hope the juniors and sophomores and other guys that got to practice with them everyday have taken notes,” said Amarillo High Head Coach Randon Johnson. “I hope that those guys understand the things that have been done in front of them and I hope they carry this on and I think we got guys to do that. Hopefully they saw how much work goes into this and what it takes and the toughness it takes to be able to come back and do this.”

Amarillo High started off hot, tallying four runs in the first inning. Tristen Curless’ 2 RBI triple highlighted the first frame. Barbers Hill tied it at the bottom of the first, 4-4, and then stole the lead in the second inning. Amarillo High senior and TCU signee Jake Maynard’s 3 RBI triple in the third gave the Sandies momentum and a 7-5 lead. The Sandies collected 11 hits total.

“I know the score didn’t come out that way, but we’re a relentless team,” said Amarillo High senior catcher Cayden Phillips. “We don’t stop for nothing. We try to fight it until the very end. We showed it there. The balls just weren’t falling our way, but that’s baseball though.”

Barbers Hill threw a dagger in the sixth frame, starting with 2 RBI double on a fly ball to left field by Eagle’s Braden Jacobs. The Eagles totaled six runs in the sixth frame. The Eagles retired the side in the final inning, taking down Amarillo High 12-8.

Tristan Curless started the game on the hill for Amarillo High. The pitcher allowed six hits and six runs over four and two-thirds innings pitched, striking out two.

Amarillo High returns 8 underclassmen, including Jett Johnston and Will Franklin.

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