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Ethan Schlotterback hits an RBI double for Lake Travis on May 16, 2026 during a Class 6A Division I regional semifinal playoff series against Laredo United South at the San Antonio ISD Sports Complex.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Paul Brick\/Special to American-Statesman<\/p>\n
Though they\u00a0haven\u2019t played<\/a> this season, Lake Travis<\/a> and Cedar Ridge<\/a> won\u2019t be strangers when they meet in a Class 6A Division I regional final series starting Wednesday at Concordia University in the UIL playoffs<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n It\u2019s a rematch from the bi-district round last year that the Cavs won and features many of the same faces.\u00a0<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n \u201cWe have a lot of guys back and they have a lot of guys back,\u201d said Lake Travis coach Ryan Rogers, who led the Cavs to the state semifinals a year ago. \u201cI think that almost kind of helps them because (they were so young) and they\u2019re a year older. Right now, they kind of remind me of us last year.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n Cedar Ridge coach Daryl Reeves said there will be some knowledge of the other since each team has so many returning players, but that ultimately it\u2019s a new series.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cAnytime you match up with the same opponent, there will be some carryover,\u201d said Reeves, who is in his 11th year leading the Raiders. \u201cBut you\u2019ve got to understand \u2026 they\u2019ve made some adjustments. \u2026 Each year is independent, but there is information for sure that you want to take a look at and be aware of, just to know your opponent.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n Cedar Ridge is peaking when it needs to<\/p>\n Cedar Ridge (25-11-3) has caught fire at the right time.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n Qualifying for the playoffs on the last day of the regular season out of a brutal District 25-6A, the Raiders have knocked off three quality programs in Bowie, San Antonio Reagan and Johnson, including sweeping the last two. \u00a0<\/p>\n While Lake Travis has Texas-bound Cooper Webb, the team\u2019s ace who is thought of as one of the state\u2019s better pitchers, and catcher Yanuell Molina, who will play at UT-Arlington next year, Cedar Ridge seems to be a collection of very good players who will start their college careers at junior colleges or smaller four-year schools. (Sophomore infielder Kasen Langherhans may get plenty of attention the next two years, though.)\u00a0<\/p>\n The Raiders\u2019 gritty mentality is something that has helped spur them to their best playoff run in program history.\u00a0<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n \u201cThe word \u2018toughness\u2019 \u2026 we\u2019ve tried to instill that the past month,\u201d Reeves said. \u201cWhen you get in that batter\u2019s box, we need you to fight for the team. \u2026 Results will come because you\u2019re going to be a tough out and your team needs you to be that.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n Outfielders Christian Olivas, Jake Shoemaker and Kai Rice, catcher Riggs Gordon, designated hitter Paul Hernandez Jr. and first baseman Matt Mabry are just a few of the Cedar Ridge players who have been clutch at the plate in the playoffs, in addition to Langerhans.<\/p>\n But the Raiders have also excelled in the game\u2019s other two phases. Luke Irwin, Sawyer Neugent and Bryson Batton have all thrown well on the mound. And though Cedar Ridge has scored at least seven runs in four of their playoff wins, they\u2019ve also committed few errors in the field.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cWhen you look at it, our pitching and defense haven\u2019t been giving away (free runs),\u201d Reeves said. \u201cIt\u2019s a rarity this year that opponents have gone out and earned a lot of runs against us.\u201d<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n Is Lake Travis the area\u2019s Goliath?\u00a0<\/p>\n The Cavs (28-11-1) are going for their second straight regional title and just won their 15th district title in 16 years.\u00a0<\/p>\n Lake Travis rarely lacks in talent, but Rogers said this team has jelled and impressed him with how it\u2019s won two straight series in elimination games.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ve kind of won a different way every round,\u201d he said. \u201cLast week (against Laredo United South), our pitching and defense carried us. Against San Antonio Johnson, we kind of outscored them. Against Westwood, it was pitching and defense in Game 1 and then offense in Game 2. So our guys have been able to find different ways to win and respond, especially to the adversity the last couple of rounds.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n Webb, Molina, outfielders-pitchers CJ Hansford and Luke McBride, and infielders Ethan Schlotterback and Nelson Molina were also key players a year ago and give the Cavs a good core. However, Lake Travis has received notable contributions in district games and the postseason from infielder James Tudor, designated hitter Elliot Su, outfielder Elliott Proppe and pitcher Daniel Womack.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/p>\n