Cinco Ranch has worked all year to get to this position.

It’s been a grind. But the Cougars have gone on the biggest run of any team in the district. The Cougars have treated every game as a must win and it has led to them going on a 12-game district win streak and put them in prime position to clinch a second straight district championship.

The Cougars came into this week knowing that two wins to close out district would secure that goal and Cinco took that first step on Tuesday by beating Seven Lakes 12-1 in five innings.

“The guys just followed our approach that we’ve had all season and they did a great job of it today,” said Cinco Ranch head coach Brett Wallace. “Our motto is to hit it hard and low. The guys all practice that and it’s helped us on this win streak. They take advantage of what pitchers give them and the way we play just puts pressure on other teams.”

Cinco took no time getting ahead in the game, as Brock DeYoung hit a leadoff home run in his first at bat of the game. DeYoung then drove in antoher in the second inning with an RBI single as the Cougars gained an early advantage.

“He’s our sparkplug,” Wallace said. “If he gets a hit in the first inning it seems like we always find a way to score him. He gets on base a lot and anytime he does we feel like our guys can get him in. The lineup behind him puts balls in play, hits it hard and we just find ways to score runs. But Brock starts all of that.”

Cinco’s offense exploded in the fourth inning. Karsten Kleiwig hit a fielders choice to get the scoring started before scoring himself on an error. Lucas Franco then made it 6-0 with a single that brought in two more. Dylan Muniz hit a single that drove in another run and Luis Gomez brought in another on a double, walks and hit by pitches then stretched the Cougars lead to 12. Seven Lakes got one run back in the fourth when Austin Hassmann hit an RBI single, but Cinco closed the game out strong to take the win in a run rule.

DeYoung led the way offensively with his two RBIs and two runs scored on two hits, while Franco also drove in two. Josh Morelli had a strong day on the mound and allowed no earned runs through five innings, allowing just three hits while striking out three and walking two.

“This whole team just feeds off each other, everyone in that dugout is my brother,” DeYoung said. “We even go play pickleball together. We really do everything together, we go eat, we hang out, it’s not just the practices everyone here is always lifting each other up and it’s amazing.”

The Cougars can clinch at least a share of the district title and will secure the first seed out of district with a win on Friday over Seven Lakes at home, as the Cougars also swept Katy earlier this season. It would be a sweet moment for Cinco, which had to go on this big run after a slow start to district play as they try to win their second straight district championship.

“We’re focusing on the game in front of us but it’s important and we really want it,” DeYoung said. “It’s the first time in school history we’d go back to back and there isn’t’ a better group of guys to do it with. I’m excited we have this opportunity.”