Elgin was scheduled to play in the championship game of the Section 1 Tournament in Bryan Tuesday. Results of that game were unavailable by press time.

Elgin played a nine-inning thriller Saturday with host Bryan Harvey, winning 8-6. Megan Dodd picked up the win on the mound.

Elgin was down 4-3 going into the sixth inning, but tied it to send it into extra innings.

Elgin went up 8-4 in the top of the ninth, but Bryan Harvey threatened before Elgin’s defense came through to get the win.

On Sunday, Elgin pounded on La Grange for a 19-3 win to advance to Tuesday’s championship where it awaited the winner of La Grange and Bryan Harvey.

MINORS BASEBALL
BRYAN — The Elgin Minor Baseball All-Stars were eliminated Sunday in the Section 1 Tournament in Bryan, falling to Columbus 12-4.

Elgin lost its first round game Friday against College Station, 7-3 but defeated RC West America 12-3 facing elimination.

10-11 YEAR OLD BASEBALL
ELGIN — The Elgin 10-11 Year Old All-Stars went 0-2 in the Section 1 Tournament last weekend in Elgin.
In its first game, Elgin lost to Madisonville 19-0 and then lost its first elimination game 13-2 to Balcones.

JUNIOR BASEBALL
BRENHAM — The Elgin Junior Baseball All-Stars went 0-2 in the Section 1 Tournament last weekend in Brenham.

Elgin fell to Washington County, which reached Tuesday’s championship game, in the first round 21-7.

Facing elimination, Elgin lost a heartbreaker to Bryan United 7-6. Washington County played RC East for the championship Tuesday.

JUNIOR SOFTBALL
COLLEGE STATION — The Smithville Junior Softball All-Stars were still alive in the Section 1 Tournament in College Station.

Smithville lost its first game to Bryan United 7-2, falling to the elimination bracket.

After Bryan United defeated Washington County 5-4 to advance to Tuesday’s championship, Smithville and Washington County played for a spot in Tuesday’s championship.

The results of Smithville’s elimination game were unavailable at press time.

Friday
Game 1: Elgin vs. Bryan-Harvey
Game 2: Western Hills vs. RC West America
Saturday
Game 3: Columbus vs. G1 winner, 8 p.m.
Game 4: G1 loser vs. G2 loser, 6 p.m.
Sunday
Game 5: G2 winner vs. G2 winner, 8 p.m.
Game 6: G4 winner vs. G3 loser, 6 p.m.
Monday
Game 7: G6 winner vs. G5 loser, 7 p.m.
Tuesday
Game 8: G5 winner vs. G7 winner, 6 p.m.
Game 9: G8 winner vs. G8 loser, 8 p.m.**
— — —
MINORS SOFTBALL
at Bryan-Harvey Little League Complex

Saturday
Game 1: Elgin vs. Bryan-Harvey, 6 p.m.
Game 2: Austin Optimist vs. La Grange, 8 p.m.
Sunday
Game 3: G1 winner vs. G2 winner, 8 p.m.
Game 4: G1 loser vs. G2 loser, 6 p.m.
Monday
Game 5: G4 winner vs. G3 loser, 7 p.m.
Tuesday
Game 6: G3 winner vs. G5 winner, 6 p.m.
Game 7: G6 winner vs. G6 loser, 8 p.m.**
— — —
10&11 YEAR OLD BASEBALL
at Elgin Little League Fields

Friday
Game 1: RC West vs. Balcones
Game 2: Madisonville vs. Elgin
Saturday
Game 3: G1 winner vs. Washington City, 8 p.m.
Game 4: G1 loser vs. G2 loser, 6 p.m.
Sunday
Game 5: G2 winner vs. G3 winner, 8 p.m.
Game 6: G4 winner vs. G3 loser, 6 p.m.
Monday
Game 7: G6 winner vs. G5 loser, 7 p.m.
Tuesday
Game 8: G5 winner vs. G7 winner, 6 p.m.
Game 9: G8 winner vs. G8 loser, 8 p.m.**
— — —
MAJORS SOFTBALL
at Elgin Little League Fields

Friday
Game 1: Columbus vs. Bryan Harvey
Saturday
Game 2: Elgin vs. G1 winner, 7 p.m.
Sunday
Game 3: G1 loser vs. G2 loser, 7 p.m.
Monday
Game 4: G2 winner vs. G3 winner, 7 p.m.
Tuesday
Game 5: G4 winner vs. G4 loser, 8 p.m. **
— — —
JUNIOR BASEBALL
at Fireman’s Park, Brenham

Friday
Game 1: Elgin vs. Washington City
Game 2: RC East vs. Bryan-United
Saturday
Game 3: Austin Optimist vs. G1 winner, 7 p.m.
Game 4: G1 loser vs. G2 loser, 4 p.m.
Sunday
Game 5: G2 winner vs. G3 winner, 7 p.m.
Game 6: G4 winner vs. G3 loser, 4 p.m.
Monday
Game 7: G6 winner vs. G5 loser, 1 p.m.
Tuesday
Game 8: G5 winner vs. G7 winner, 10 a.m.
Game 9: G8 winner vs. G8 loser, 1 p.m.**
— — —
JUNIOR SOFTBALL
at Bryan-Harvey Little League Complex

Saturday
Game 1: Smithville vs. Bryan-United,  7 p.m.
Sunday
Game 2: Washington City vs. G1 winner, 7 p.m.
Monday
Game 3: G1 loser vs. G2 loser, 7 p.m.
Tuesday
Game 4: G2 winner vs. G3 winner, 6 p.m.
Game 5: G4 winner vs. G4 loser, 8 p..m. **
** If necessary

JUNIORS
TAYLOR — Bastrop and Taylor battled Friday for the chance to play in the District 30 Championship game scheduled for Sunday.
Bastrop picked up a 6-1 win over Elgin on Wednesday and defeated Rockdale 14-6 to open the tournament.
Elgin defeated Smithvlle Thursday in an elimination game and played Rockdale Friday night in another elimination game.
The loser of Bastrop-Taylor will play the winner of Friday’s elimination game for a spot in Sunday’s championship game.

MINORS BASEBALL
PFLUGERVILLE — Elgin 1 defeated Bastrop 1 on July 1 to advance to Sunday’s championship game in the District 30 Minors Baseball Tournament in Pflugerville.
Bastrop 1 then made it back to face Elgin for the championship, but lost to Elgin 1 in the championship game 12-6.

MAJORS BASEBALL
TAYLOR – Bastrop defeated Pflugerville Sunday 18-0 in the second round of the majors division District 30 Baseball Tournament in Taylor.
Tristan Perry hit a two-run home run in the bottom of the first and picked up the win on the mound.
Bastrop defeated Elgin in the opening game on July 2.
Bastrop played host Taylor the reigning District 30 majors champions Wednesday night at Rotary Field in Taylor. The winner will earn a spot in Friday’s championship game.
Elgin dropped to the consolation bracket and faced Rockdale in an elimination game Tuesday.
Smithville, which lost to Rockdale in the opening round, played Pflugerville also on Tuesday.

Elgin’s softball team will look to continue its dominance after winning the last two championships.

Bastrop will likely be Elgin’s contender in the five-team tournament much like it has in the last two years.

The teams have met in the last two championship games, with Elgin winning both.

However, all of the girls on the 2009 state championship team from Elgin have moved up to the majors division, so this is nearly a new team.

But Elgin’s rich softball tradition still makes them the odds-on favorites.

The last two minors softball tournaments have been held in Smithville. This year, the tournament moves to a new venue.

But home field advantage hasn’t meant a whole lot in the past.

Bastrop takes on county rival Smithville in the opening game of the tournament tonight at 6 p.m. in Pflugerville.

The winner will have to take on No. 1 seeded Elgin Sunday at 6 p.m.

In the baseball division, Elgin, Bastrop, Pflugerville and Taylor all will be battling it out for the championship with Thrall/Thorndale (TnT), Smithville and Rockdale.

Elgin won last year’s tournament, but all nine teams have the potential to advance on to the championships.

Bastrop No. 2 opens the tournament against Smithville at 6 p.m. in Pflugerville while Bastrop No. 1 will take on Taylor, also scheduled for 6 p.m.

Elgin will open the tournament Sunday against the Bastrop 2/Smithville winner. That game is scheduled for 7 p.m.

DISTRICT 30 SOFTBALL MINORS TOURNAMENT
at Pflugerville
Today
Game 1: Bastrop vs. Smithville, 6 p.m.
Game 2: Pflugerville vs. TnT, 8 p.m.
Sunday
Game 3: Elgin vs. G1 winner, 8 p.m.
Game 4: G1 loser vs. G2 loser, 6 p.m.
Tuesday
Game 5: G2 winner vs. G3 winner, 8 p.m.
Game 6: G4 winner vs. G3 loser, 6 p.m.
Wednesday
Game 7: G6 winner vs. G5 loser, 7 p.m.
July 2
Game 8: G5 winner vs. G7 winner, 7 p.m.
July 3
Game 9: G8 winner vs. G8 loser, 7 p.m., if necessary

DISTRICT 30 BASEBALL MINORS TOURNAMENT
at Pflugerville
Today
Game 1: Bastrop 2 vs. Smithville, 6 p.m.
Game 2: Bastrop 1 vs. Taylor, 6 p.m.
Game 3: Pflugerville vs. TnT, 8 p.m.
Sunday
Game 4: Rockdale vs. Elgin 2, 6 p.m.
Game 5: Elgin 1 vs. G1 winner, 7 p.m.
Game 6: G1 loser vs. G2 loser, 8 p.m.
Tuesday
Game 7: G4 loser vs. G5 loser, 6 p.m.
Game 8: G6 winner vs. G3 loser, 8 p.m.
Game 9: G2 winner vs. G3 winner, 6 p.m.
Game 10: G4 winner vs G5 winner, 8 p.m.
Wednesday
Game 11: G7 winner vs. G9 loser, 7 p.m.
Game 12: G8 winner vs. G10 loser, 7 p.m.
Friday
Game 13: G9 winner vs. G10 winner, 8 p.m.
Game 14: G12 winner vs. G11 winner, 6 p.m.
July 2
Game 15: G14 winner vs. G13 loser, 6 p.m.
July 3
Game 16: G13 winner vs. G15 winner, 6 p.m.
July 5
Game 17: G16 winner vs. G16 loser, 6 p.m., if necessary

File photo/ Jayne Johns throws a pitch during last yearÕs Section 1 Minors Tournament in Bastrop. Johns and Elgin look for the three-peat in the District 30 Tournament beginning Saturday in Pflugerville.

The Texas relief pitcher won the 2011National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association’s Stopper of the Year Award, the NCBWA announced Tuesday.

The former Bastrop pitcher has already won NCBWA Freshman Pitcher of the Year honors after  and setting the Texas freshmen record with 19 saves and was 3-2 with a 1.13 ERA and 61 strikeouts in 55.2 innings.

He allowed just 28 hits and seven earned runs, while holding opponents to a .151 batting average.  With two saves in Super Regional play, he has posted the most saves of any pitcher in the nation this season. In addition, he has made 38 appearances, the most in the Big 12 this year.

Knebel was an All-Big 12 First Team selection and a unanimous selection to the Big 12 All-Freshmen Team. He has received first team All-America and Freshman Pitcher of the Year honors from Collegiate Baseball.

Knebel is the third Longhorn pitcher to take home the honor in the award’s seven-year history, joining J. Brent Cox in 2005 and Chance Ruffin in 2010. He is also the first freshman to win the award.

Photo by Larry Overall/ Texas freshmen closer Corey Knebel throws a pitch during regular season action on April 30, 2011 at UFCU DIschFalk Field in Austin against Oklahoma. Knebel was awarded the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association Stopper of the Year Award Tuesday.

The No. 5 Texas Longhorns were eliminated from the College World Series Monday after falling to North Carolina 3-0.

Texas (49-19) lost their opening round game on Saturday, falling to Florida 8-4.

The former Bastrop pitcher got his only action Saturday, pitching in the eighth inning after the Gators had already beat up on ace Taylor Jungmann.

The Longhorns’ reliever finished his first season with a season-best 19 saves. a 1.13 earned run average and a 3-2 record in 38 appearances.

Knebel broke a UT freshman record for saves while tying the single-season record (19) that was held by J. Brent Cox and Charlie Thames. His 19 saves led the nation.

He was given All-American honors by College Baseball newspaper, Baseball America and the National College Baseball Writers Association.

He was also the NCBWA Freshman Pitcher of the Year and was named to the All-Big 12 First Team.

Bastrop had to win two games to claim the title over Elgin No. 1 after falling to Elgin in the winner’s bracket final 18-14.

They did just that, defeating Elgin 13-12 and 16-2 to claim  the championship.

Elgin No. 1 played six games in the tournament and came out of the first round in the 10-team tournament to reach the finals.

Elgin defeated Pflugerville No. 2 in the first round, Smithville in the quarterfinals, Thorndale and Thrall in the semifinals before defeating Bastrop No. 1 to reach the championship game.

Bastrop No. 1 got a bye in the first round and defeated Rockadale No. 1 in the quarterfinals 16-1 and then defeated Pflugerville No. 1 15-9 in the semifinals to reach the winner’s bracket final.

After Elgin defeated Bastrop No. 1 on June 6, Bastrop defeated Pflugerville No. 1 again in the elimination game.

Bastrop squeaked by Elgin 13-12 on June 10 to force a winner-take-all championship game on June 11 at the Elgin Little League Complex.

Bastrop No. 1 took the championship game convincingly, defeating the hosts 16-2.
Players on the team included Connally Bodine, Joshua Countryman, Gabriel Gonzalez, Reagan Hibbs, Hunter King, Mark Lombardo, Zachary McClanahan, Ty Pruett, Alfredo Rodriguez, Clay Wiley and Elijah Youngblood.

2011 Tournament of Champions – Machine Pitch
June 6-11 at Elgin

First round
Game 1: Pflugerville 1 def. Rockdale 2
Game 2: Elgin 1 def. Pflugerville 2
Quarterfinals
Game 3: Bastrop 1 def. Rockdale 1, 16-1
Game 4: TNT def. Elgin 2
Game 5: Pflugerville def. Bastrop 2, 21-7
Game 6: Elgin 1 def. Smithville
Consolation bracket
Game 7: Pflugerfville 2 def. Rockdale 1
Game 8: Rockdale 2 def. Elgin 2
Game 9: Pflugerville 2 def. Bastrop 2
Game 10: Smithville def. Rockdale 2
Semifinals
Game 11: Bastrop 1 def. Pflugerville 1, 15-9
Game 12: Elgin 1 def. TNT
Consolation semifinals
Game 13: Pflugerville 1 def. Smithville
Game 14: Pflugerville 2 def. TNT
Game 16: Pflugerville 1 def. Pflugerville 2
Winner’s bracket final
Game 15: Elgin 1 def. Bastrop 1, 18-14
Consolation final
Game 17: Bastrop 1 def. Pflugerville 1, 1-0
Finals
Game 17: Bastrop 1 def. Elgin 1, 13-12
Game 18: Bastrop 1 def. Elgin 1, 16-2

Photo by Nancy Wilkins/Bastrop’s Reagan Hibbs crosses the plate after hitting a home run during the finals of the District 30 Tournament of Champions finals on June 10 at the Elgin Little League Complex. Also pictured is Elgin catcher Hayden Johns.

Texas’ freshman reliever was named Collegiate Baseball’s Freshman Pitcher of the Year and was also selected to the the Lousiville Slugger Freshmen All-American Team, which was announced Wednesday.

These are the latest of a long list of accolades for the former Bastrop pitcher that includes being selected to the All-Big 12 First Team, the Big 12’s All-Freshmen Team and to the Collegiate Baseball Louisville Slugger All-American Team.

On Tuesday, Knebel was named one of five finalists for the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA) Stopper of the Year Award.

Only two Texas relievers have won the award — J. Brent Cox (2005) and Chance Ruffin (2010).

“This is all a dream come true,” Knebel said. “I’ve had a great year and wouldn’t have dreamed it would have gone this way.”

He is joined on the list with NCAA saves leaders Kyle McMillen of Kent State and Bo Reeder of East Tennessee State, along with Branden Kline of Virginia and Matt Price of South Carolina. McMillan and Reeder both have 18 saves to lead the nation.

Knebel will take his 17 saves and 1.23 ERA into this weekend’s NCAA Super Regional in Austin when the No. 7 Longhorns (47-16) take on Arizona State (42-16) at UFCU Disch-Falk Field in a best-of-three series for a chance to go to the College World Series.

He is just two saves shy of tying a UT single-season record for saves held by Charlie Thames (2000) and Brent Cox (2005).
Knebel already has broke a UT freshman record for saves this year.

He owns a 3-2 record and has struck out 57 batters in 50.1 innings and allowed 25 hits for an opponent batting average against the right hander of .150.

Knebel picked up his 17th save of the season Friday in Game 2 of the Austin Regional at Disch-Falk Field against Princeton.

He pitched in three games, picking up the win against Texas State with the Longhorns facing elimination and closed out a strong performance by the Texas pitching staff Monday as the Longhorns defeated Kent State 5-0 to advance to the Super Regional.

All three games of this weekend’s Super Regional are slated for 6 p.m. with Friday and Saturday’s games to be televised on ESPNHD. If necessary, Sunday’s game will be televised on ESPN2HD.

There are a few general admission tickets still available for the Super Regional series.

The winner of the Austin Super Regional will advance to the College World Series in Omaha, Neb. beginning on June 18.

Larry Overall/ Corey Knebel watches for the sign Monday at UFCU Disch-Falk Field in Austin during the NCAA Austin Regional. Knebel picked up three more postseason awards this week.

Needing three saves to tie a Longhorns’ single-season record, Knebel had the opportunity to put his name in the record books at the NCAA Austin Regional at Disch-Falk Field.
Knebel, however, was only able to pick up one save in his three appearances. He did that Friday as the Longhorns defeated Princeton 5-3 to open the double elimination tournament.

The former Bastrop pitcher came on in the bottom of the eighth inning to close out a brilliant performance from ace Sam Stafford, who went seven innings.

Knebel’s 17th save of the season wasn’t anything real flashy.

Nathan Thronhill relieved Stafford in the eighth inning with a 5-1 Longhorns lead, thanks to a two-run home run from Tant Shepherd.

After three-straight hits and two runs, Garrido called in Hoby Milner, who lasted one-third of an inning by getting Princeton’s Mike Ford to hit into a fielder’s choice.

With a runner on first and the tying-run at the plate, Knebel got Sam Mulroy to hit into a double play to keep Texas’ lead at two runs.

In the top of the ninth, Knebel gave up a single to Jonathan York, but retired the next three Princeton batters.

“Sometimes we forget when (Corey) is out there he’s a freshman because he’s so good” said Texas head coach Augie Garrido. “He responds to adversity in the right way and has the confidence to overcome it. That’s the sign of a good pitcher.”

Knebel said after the game that despite this being his first experience in the NCAA Tournament, he tries to approach these games as just another game.

“You try to treat it like a normal game, but it is different,” he said. “”I think my secret (to keeping my composure) is staying happy. I never get upset about anything really.”

Knebel didn’t get another opportunity until Sunday in the Longhorns’ 4-3 win over Texas State while facing elimination. He came in to relive Cole Green in the ninth inning with save No. 18 on the line as Texas led 3-2.

However, Knebel gave up a run to allow the Bobcats to tie the game, but picked up the win after Kevin Lusson hit a walk-off single in the bottom of the ninth to keep Texas alive.

Texas (47-16) defeated Kent State Sunday afternoon to set up Monday’s winner-take-all final.

On Monday, having been worn down with four games in three days and its ace having pitched five innings two days ago and tossing 85 pitches, Texas’ pitching staff put on a collective performance and lifted the Longhorns to a 5-0 win.

Closing it out was none other than the Longhorns’ fantastic freshmen, even without a save opportunity.

Stafford, who tossed 108 pitches on Friday, got the start, but Garrido only kept him in for 3 2/3 innings.

Then one-by-one, Texas’ pitching staff kept Kent State off balance at the plate while the Longhorns built a 5-0 lead a little bit at a time.

With the game, and season, on the line, Knebel went through four batters in just nine pitches to send Texas to the NCAA Super Regionals for the eighth time in program history.

“The pitching staff was totally unselfish,” Garrido said. “It was just the epitome of teamwork.”

Knebel enters Friday’s Super Regional needing two saves to tie the single-season saves record of 19, held by Charlie Thames (2000) and Brent Cox (2005).

“This is all a dream come true for me,” he said. “We still have a lot of games to go and it would feel great to get the record, but I’d rather have a National Championship.”

The Louisville Slugger All-American and the Longhorns will play Arizona State (42-16) in the Super Regionals at Disch-Falk Field in Austin.

All three games of the best-of-three series are slated for 6 p.m. with Friday and Saturday’s games to be televised on ESPNHD.

If necessary, Sunday’s game will be televised on ESPN2HD.

There are a few general admission tickets still available for the Super Regional series.

The winner of the Austin Super Regional will advance to the College World Series in Omaha, Neb., beginning on June 18.

NCAA SUPER REGIONAL
at Disch-Falk Field, Austin

Texas (47-16) vs. Arizona State (42-16)
Best-of-three series
Schedule
GM 1: 6 p.m., Friday (ESPNHD)
GM 2: 6 p.m., Saturday (ESPNHD)
GM 3: 6 p.m., Sunday (ESPN2HD)
Tickets: Some general admission tickets are available at TexasBoxOffice.com

Larry Overall photo/ Texas freshmen closer Corey Knebel throws a pitch Sunday afternoon during the ninth inning of Texas’ 4-3 win over Texas State in Game 5 of the NCAA Austin Regional at UFCU Disch-Falk Field.