Thrall falls to Wall in title game
ROUND ROCK — After going through five best-of-three playoff series with a quartet of sweeps and another win that went all three games, the Thrall baseball team met its match Thursday afternoon.
Wall pounded 17 hits against Thrall, pitching to the tune of 14 runs as the Hawks soared past the Tigers 14-2 at Dell Diamond in Round Rock. The Class 3A-Division II state championship game ended after five innings in the run-rule victory.
Thrall made its first appearance in the state tournament since 1998—the same year the Tigers won the state championship. The Tigers finished 31-8-1.
“It was such a great experience for our kids and our community,” said Justin Adams, Thrall baseball coach. “For me, this was probably the best season of my life.”
Wall qualified for its fourth state tournament since 2017. The Hawks, who won it all in 2017, finished 31-6.
Wall was led by junior pitcher Gage Reichenau. He surrendered two runs off of three hits.
The Hawks scored four runs in the top of the first and never looked back. Thrall scored a run in the bottom of the opening frame on an RBI double from Gus Navejas but couldn’t get any closer than 4-1.
Wall rounded another in the second, seven runs in the fourth and two more in the fifth to increase the lead to 14-1. A trio of two-run singles secured the double-digit lead in the fourth.
The Tigers didn’t go away quietly. Nick Treuter and Maverick McAllister hit back-toback triples to add a run in the bottom of the fifth. Six Thrall seniors played in their final high school contest Thursday—McAllister, Treuter, Ty Bradford, Hayden Heselmeyer, Landon Gregory and Ethan Boecker.
“I thanked the seniors for what they did.
They’re upset because we didn’t win, but what they did was special,” Adams said. “They set a foundation for our youth, for Thrall and the expectations that we have for baseball. I can’t thank them enough.”
In addition to the seniors who played their final game, Adams also showed great appreciation for the fans.
“This crowd was incredible. It might rival the Round Rock Express crowd,” he said. “They showed up, said the ‘Let’s go, Tigers’ chants and really supported our players.”
While six players graduate, 12 lettermen are projected to return in 2026.
“It was our first year in 3A,” he said. “We came in with no expectations, but we also knew what we had and so many guys contributed to our success.”
Thrall’s Weston Smiley chases down a Wall baserunner. Photos by Steve Doak
Thrall catcher Nick Treuter rounds second and heads to third during a triple.
Thrall’s Gus Navejas hits a double in the bottom of the first inning.
Thrall catcher Nick Treuter slides into third base after hitting a triple in the bottom of the fifth inning.
Thrall’s Weston Smiley fires a pitch Thursday afternoon.
Thrall’s Gus Navejas stands tall after hitting an RBI double in the state championship matchup with Wall.
Thrall catcher Nick Treuter catches a foul ball during the run-rule loss June 5.
Thrall center fielder Ty Bradford makes a catch Thursday afternoon.
