The JV WHITE baseball team kicked off the 2024 season by traveling to west Temple for the Lake Belton JV2 tournament. Even with 3 days of great weather, the Tigers learned a few lessons about baseball & their selves especially when things weren’t going their way. Overall, they competed with some good pitching, hitting (every Tiger on the roster collected at least 1 hit) & defensive play & were able to finish in 2nd Place with a 3 – 1 record for the weekend.


Game 1: Tigers Maul Wildcats, 19 - 2

The JV WHITE Tigers jumped on Temple for 9 runs in the 1st inning as they cruised to an 19-2 victory to start the season. The Tigers pounded out 8 hits & were aided by 15 walks & 3 Wildcat errors. 5 runs were scored in the 3rd & 4th innings resulting in the run-rule victory.

Defensively, the Tigers committed only 1 error in the 1st inning that led to the 2 Temple runs. Starting pitcher Brayden Barrera pitched 4 strong innings for the victory scattering 3 hits with 0 walks & 6 Ks.

WP: Brayden Barrera (1 – 0)

Leading Hitters:
Evan Echipare (1 – 1, 3 RBI), Barrera (2 – 3, 4 RBI), Gavin Ross (1 – 4, 4 RBI), Jay Morales (1 – 2, RBI), Benjamin Thompson (2 – 4, RBI), Landon Owens (1 – 3, 2 RBI).

Season Record: (1 – 0)


Game 2: Panthers Pounce on Tigers' Miscues for 9 – 5 Victory

The JV WHITE Tigers again jumped out to an early lead in the 1st inning, but then committed 4 errors on defense during the game that led to 6 unearned Liberty Hill runs & a 9-5 Panther victory.

Starting pitcher Habtamu Childers went 4 innings allowing 3 earned runs & 5 hits while striking out 6. Landon Owens pitched 1 inning in relief.

The Tigers only managed 2 hits & could not capitalize on 9 walks & 2 Panther errors.

LP: Habtamu Childers (0 – 1)

Leading Hitters:
Gavin Warne (1 – 3, 2 RBI), Damin Russ (1 – 2), Gavin Ross (0 – 1, SAC Fly RBI), Ruben Vriseno (0 – 2, RBI).

Season Record: (1 – 1)


Game 3: Tigers Rally Late for Win Over Vikings, 11 - 8

The JV WHITE spotted Bryan a 6-1 lead by the end of the 2nd inning before erupting for 10 runs in the last 3 frames to escape with an 11-8 win.

The Tigers struggled at times on the mound with 7 walks & committed 4 errors defensively. Starting pitcher Gavin Warne gave way to Jaxon Simmons in relief who kept the Tigers in the game & picked up the victory.

Offensively, the Tigers collected 7 hits & 9 walks. Doubles were hit by Evan Echipare & Robert Lincycomb.

Leading Hitter:
Habtamu Childers (1 – 3, 2 RBI), Echipare (2 – 2, 2B, 2 RBI), Landon Owens (0 – 1, SAC Fly, 2 RBI), Simmons (0 – 3, 2 RBI), Jay Morales (2 – 4, RBI), Lincycomb (1 – 1, 2B), Jackson Gentry (1 – 3, RBI), Ruben Vriseno (0 – 1, RBI).

WP: Jaxon Simmons (1 – 0)

Season Record: (2 – 1)

Game 4: Our Tigers Rough-up Host Broncos, 11 - 2

In the last game of the tournament on Saturday afternoon, the JV WHITE Tigers battled the Lake Belton Broncos in front of a large & supportive, energetic crowd. When the final out was made, the Tigers had stayed the course & rallied for an 11-2 victory over the host Broncos.

After spotting the Broncos a 2-0 lead in the 1st inning, the Tigers had weathered the storm, stayed positive & settled into a groove scoring runs in the final 4 frames. Jaxon Simmons had 2 doubles & Gavin Ross added 1 of his own, & Evan Echipare had 3 hits to lead the way. The JV WHITE capitalized on 8 walks & 3 Bronco errors to fuel their 11 run output.

Damin Russ toed the rubber for the Tigers to start the game. The crafty southpaw executed the game plan to near perfection while going the entire 6 innings to pick up the victory. After a rough 1st inning giving up 4 hits & 2 runs, Russ got into a rhythm scattering 2 hits & 0 runs the rest of the way by inducing 11 flyball outs, striking out 4 & allowing 0 runs.


WP: Damin Russ (1 – 0)
Leading Hitter:
Habtamu Childers (1 – 3), Evan Echipare (3 – 4, 2 RBI), Brayden Barrera (1 – 3, RBI), Jaxon Simmons (2 – 3, 2 2B, 3 RBI), Gavin Ross (1 – 4, 2B, 2 RBI), Jay Morales (1 – 2, RBI), Benjamin Thompson (0 – 1, RBI), Ruben Vriseno (1 – 2, SAC Fly, RBI).
Season Record: (3 – 1)

The JV WHITE will be competing in the Georgetown JV2 Tournament later in the week.