AREA HIGH SCHOOL BASEBALL / SOFTBALL

STATE-BOUND— The Thrall Tigers have punched their ticket to the Class 3A-D2 state finals after they beat Orange Grove last week in San Antonio, 2-1. The Tigers will now face off against the Wall Hawks in the championship game at 4 p.m. Thursday at the Dell Diamond in Round Rock. Thrall ISD photo

RUNNERS-UP— The Lexington Lady Eagles are the runners- up in this year’s Class 3A-DS state softball championship playoffs. Lexington ended a great season last week losing to Coahoma who are the state champions for the third year in a row. The Lady Eagles lost a tough game 6-1 at McCombs Field in Austin. It was Lexington’s first title game appearance and they finished the season 26-9. The Lady Eagles are coached by Lauren Robertson.

FULL CHEER MODE— The Milano High School cheerleaders held a Rah Rah Camp last week, bringing the energy and gearing up for an incredible year. From chants to stunts to unstoppable school pride, 2025 is off to a spirited start! Milano High School photo

LASER FOCUS— Branch Bownds was focused as he covered first base for the Rockdale Astros in the T-ball division of Rockdale Youth Baseball. The Astros finished the season 6-3. Submitted photo