Flower Mound faced elimination twice during this postseason run, in the bi district round against Prosper and again in the regional semifinals against Weatherford.
But the Jaguars came through both times and now they’re state champs.
Sam Erickson and Adrian Rodriguez both homered and Flower Mound beat Pearland 6-4 in the UIL Class 6A state championship on Saturday from Dell Diamond in Round Rock.
It’s the program’s second state title and first since 2014. The Jags beat San Antonio Reagan 10-0 in the 5A title game in 2014. They also reached state in 2003 and 2004, losing in the 5A final against Corpus Christi Moody in 04.
Flower Mound wasted little time after scoring two runs in the bottom of the first inning. Erickson led off with a single to right and two batters later Josh Glaser singled to left. Zane Becker hit a grounder and Erickson scored for a 1-0 lead. Rodriguez singled to put runners on the corners and Cole Ridenour singled in Tell Moter to give FM a 2-0 edge.
Pearland (38-7-1) was at state for the sixth time. The Oilers won their only title, in 4A in 1980. They lost in the 5A final in 1981 and also made the trip in 1984 and 2009. The Oilers also made it in 2014 and got beat by Flower Mound 8-1 in the 5A semifinals.
Pearland was able to score two in the top of the second inning and tie the game on an RBI walk and fielder’s choice. Then the Jags grabbed back the lead in the bottom of the third on a two run homer from Rodriguez.
The Oilers got one back in the top of the sixth.
FM scored two in the bottom of the sixth to increase the lead to 6-3. Andrew Robinson hit a lead off double to left and advanced to third on a wild pitch. Two batters later and Erickson blasted a two run bomb to deep left center.
Pearland got a two out RBI single in the top of the seventh to pull within 6-4. Then the Oilers loaded the bases with two outs on a walk, but Evan Rollison got a grounder to first base to end the game.
Mason Arnold was credited with the win (4-1) with one run on seven hits in four innings of relief. Glaser started the game from the mound for the Jags. Rollison picked up the save with one run on two hits in 1 2/3 innings.
