ROUND ROCK — The Fayetteville baseball team made it to another state title game at Dell Diamond, but went down in the 2024 UIL Class 1A State Semifinal championship game. On June 5, the Lions matched up with Abbott High School and put their bats on display, so much that they won the game by mercy rule with a final score of 19-6.
“They had this mission all through the whole year,” said Fayetteville head baseball coach Clint Jaeger.
“Just getting here wasn’t enough, so I think they'll be focused plenty. Their pitchers struggled with control and we took advantage of that, then got some hits to complement the walks. Our guys did a great job at the plate." Fayetteville sophomore Kole Schmitt produced on both sides of the ball throughout the entire year and was a big reason why the Lions were able to make it back to state. "We all got each other's backs and everything," Schmitt said. "We're always there for each other and back each other up. If something goes wrong, we're always behind each other. Ready for the next play and just keep going from there." Fayetteville scored their first run of the semis on a base hit blooper to right field from Schmitt, then scored seven more runs in the same inning on a couple walks, some base hits, and a hit by pitch. Abbott responded with three runs, then a double from Lions sophomore Jack Schley in the bottom of the third inning put it at 10-3 and Fayetteville scored one more run in the same inning on a wild pitch. Fayetteville continued to put the ball in play and drive in runs, tallying eight more runs in the same inning on a bunch of walks and base hits. Abbott answered back with an infield hit that scored a run, then scored two more runs in the bottom of the fourth on a single to left field. Fayetteville scored their final run on another knock from Schmitt that scored junior Lawson Fritsch, wrapping up their state title bid with a score of 19-6.
The title game on June 6 was much closer and even went into extra innings, but ended up in Ira High School's favor by a final score of 7-6. It was a back and forth battle throughout and the Lions came back to tie the game late to give themselves a shot. “The togetherness," Jaeger said on what put his Fayetteville team in a position for a state title. "When one person made a mistake, they tried to pick him up. Tried to get them to make the next play. We did that. We bounced back and gave it a game, so I'm just proud of their effort and everything they've accomplished."
“It just makes it ten times better to be here with him,” said junior Fayetteville shortstop Easton Jaeger on what it's like playing for his dad. “Someone that’s been with me my whole life." Ira scored on a wild pitch to strike first, then didn't score again until the top of the fifth inning on a wild pick off throw and wild pitch to make it 3-0. Fayetteville battled back with some runs in their next at bat with a jammer to short form junior Lawson Fritsch that drove in Jaeger and made it 3-2. A sacrifice bunt from Jaeger in which he reached safely and put up a RBI tied it at three to send it to extra innings, then the Bulldogs scored four runs in the top of the eighth inning on a few base hits and an error.
Fayetteville rallied in their last at bat with a hit by pitch, fielder's choice, and a botched grounder that was hit by Fritsch to put it at 7-6 before Ira recorded their final out with a ground out for a 7-6 win and the state title.
