Falcons out to one-up record setting season

By Tyler Tyre, Sports Editor
Posted 2/26/22

“When we come out to the ballpark, put good at bats together and pitch like I know we can and will do, theres nothing that can stop us,” LaViolette said. “We can put up a battle against any team in the nation.”

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Falcons out to one-up record setting season

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Tompkins proved themselves last season.

The Falcons went 32-9-1 last year, making the regional semifinals for the first time as a program.

But now the Falcons feel they can take the next step. The team feels they are in perfect position to do that with the group they bring back this year.

“I just feel like the bond that we have with each other is so special,” said senior center fielder Jace LaViolette. “We’re all brothers her and love each other. We love the game and respect it, that’s all you can ask for from a group.”

Tompkins returns 10 starters from last years team and every player on the team has put in the work over the offseason to improve. They’ve proven they can compete with anyone and have the confidence to back things up.

“When we come out to the ballpark, put good at bats together and pitch like I know we can and will do, theres nothing that can stop us,” LaViolette said. “We can put up a battle against any team in the nation.”

the Falcons have a deep lineup that can attack any pitcher. Along with LaViolette, a Texas A&M commit, they have Jack Little, who hit .424 with 45 RBIs, seven doubles and three home runs last season and Drew Markle, who was a first team all-state selection last season as a sophomore and hit .403 with 13 doubles, four triples and 38 RBIs.

That, paired with an improving pitching staff, has Tompkins ready to compete with anyone at the high school level.

“Our pitching staff all year has been focused on throwing strikes and not giving up any freebies,” said Tompkins head coach Kyle Humphreys. “They continue to do a great job in terms of filling up the strike zone and making guys hit. We want people to have to get three hits in an inning to beat us. We’ve always had a solid lineup and we have to stay healthy there, but the next step for us pitching wise, is we just can’t give up the freebies.”

Tompkins started the season with the Katy ISD tournament, going X-X over the three days and preparing the team for the grind of the season and of a tough District 19-6A that they will have to play.

“We got to see some good arms and that was important, that’s what we need to see,” Humphreys said. “In our district we’re going to see really good arms constantly. All the teams, even if they don’t have a top end guy, they are going to have really good high school pitchers. Those guy sget outs and mess with your timing and locate it well and it’s important for. We’ve been doing a lot better this year with guys in scoring position and hitting with two outs and that kind of stuff comes up big.”

Tompkins will continue with non-district play until March 15 when they open district play against Taylor.

“We have to keep on playing and being competitive, that’s the most important thing,” said senior first baseman Jack Little. “With this kind of year and the talent we have, we have to treat every game like it’s our last and don’t let the mistakes get to us.”

Tompkins, baseball, high school, Katy ISD, District