Calallen and Tuloso-Midway’s Class 4A Division I regional final matchup was too good to end in seven innings.
So the Corpus Christi neighborhood rivals played a 10-inning thriller on Friday in front of 2,245 fans at Cabaniss Baseball Stadium.
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With the game scoreless and Drayson Gamez on second base, Drayton Mitchell delivered a game-winning RBI single to score Gamez and lift Calallen to a 1-0 win against the Warriors.
The No. 1 Wildcats (33-2) advanced back to the UIL state semifinals to play China Spring with a location and date to be announced at a later date.
“It felt great, but I couldn’t have done it without my teammates,” Mitchell said. “Anybody could have done it on our team but it happened to be me up there.”
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It was a pitchers’ duel between Calallen starter Coll Carroll and T-M pitcher Max Lara, who combined to allow four hits during the first six innings.
Even when both pitchers left the game because of the maximum pitches allowed, T-M’s Jaden Smith and Mitchell came in relief to keep the game scoreless until the 10th.
Carroll, who shared Caller-Times All-South Texas MVP honors with Mitchell last season, allowed three hits and struck out seven in nine scoreless innings. Lara allowed four hits with three strikeouts in seven scoreless frames.
“I give a lot of props to my defense because they make a lot of plays,” Carroll said. “This is just another step to the state tournament. That’s what we’re striving for.”
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Calallen finished with two of the Wildcats’ seven hits, which included a double. Erik Flores led the Warriors with two hits, which also included a double.
Both teams showcased stellar defensive plays with the Warriors turning an important double play in the sixth inning and Reese Rusher recording a key outfield assist in the bottom half to keep the game scoreless.
Calallen’s Collier Carroll pitches during the regional final against Tuloso-Midway on May 23, 2025, at Cabaniss Stadium in Corpus Christi.
“We competed and played hard,” Calallen coach Steve Chapman said. “We had zero errors in 10 innings and they kept fighting. The kids in the dugout were great and the fans were great. We owe a lot to them for our success tonight.”
This is the 14th time the Wildcats will play in the state semifinals. Chapman has been in a lot of memorable games during his storied career, but Friday’s matchup is one he’ll always remember.
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“It’s one of the most exciting games we’ve ever been in,” Chapman said. “When you play your neighborhood rival in the regional finals to get to go to the state tournament, it’s very exciting and it worked out for us. I’m proud and happy for the kids because they worked their tail off to get here.”
Tuloso-Midway’s Max Lara pitches during the regional final against Calallen on May 23, 2025, at Cabaniss Stadium in Corpus Christi.
It’s been a historic stretch for Tuloso-Midway after winning the District 31-4A title in 2024 and turning around in 2025 to reach the regional finals.
Head coach JK Moody said this season helped set the tone for the future of the program.
“It sets the tone for next year,” Moody said. “Last year was a huge step for us with 30 wins and our first district title. We finished earlier than we wished, but this year we had a winning season and got to the regional finals. We’re looking to take the next step next year.”
This article originally appeared on Corpus Christi Caller Times: Drayton Mitchell’s key hit in extras leads Calallen back to state tournament