Cooper can clinch state baseball playoff berth

By LANCE FLEMING
Sports Writer

SAN ANGELO - The Cooper Cougars can clinch a berth in the state baseball playoffs Saturday with a win, and they can also help out their cross-town rivals if they beat San Angelo Central.

A win today would give Cooper eight victories in District 4-5A play, meaning the worst they could possibly finish is 8-4. That would put them in the playoffs in any scenario. A victory over the Bobcats would also give Abilene High at least a tie for third place in district.

The Eagles, idle today, will play at Midland High on Tuesday looking to sew up their first playoff berth since 1972.

The Cougars, on the other hand, head to San Angelo in search of their 12th playoff berth in the last 13 seasons. And they're also looking to stay in front of the pack as they seek their eighth district championship since 1984.

"This is the one that gets us where we want to be," Cooper head coach Jim Mavroulis said. "Getting into the playoffs is my No. 1 goal, and a win today will do it."

Senior left-hander Darin Janssen (2-1 with a 3.62 ERA in district) will get the start today for Cooper. Janssen has pitched well of late, looking more and more like the Janssen who went 10-2 in 1995 and led the Cougars to the area round of the playoffs.

Central will start either Jay Walling (1-1, 4.50 ERA in district) or August Pfluger (1-0, 3.17).
The last time the Cougars and Bobcats met, Cooper came up with seven runs in the first inning, but couldn't put Central away, hanging on for 12-8 win.

"We didn't play a very good game against Central the last time," Mavroulis said. "I feel like we've got the best team in the district, and I want us to prove it. I don't want us to have to back into the playoffs; I want us to get there because we earned it."

• Where: Nathan Donsky Field, San Angelo
• When: 4:30 p.m. Saturday
• Records: Cooper 17-8, 7-2; San Angelo Central 12-13, 5-4