AUSTIN, Texas — The Calallen Wildcats (37-9) fell short 3-1 to Texarkana Liberty-Eylau in the UIL 4A State Championship Thursday evening in Austin. The Wildcat seniors end their career with their heads held high knowing they ended a 13 year drought of playing for the title.
"You know it means a lot," Justin Calderon, Calallen senior catcher, said. "Not a lot of teams can say that they made it. You know we came out short, and we got second but it's alright. I believe in the younger guys and they're going to come back and finish the job that we left for them."
This season marked the Wildcats 13th State Tournament appearance in baseball program history.
"A meaningful ride for me," Matt Lopez, Calallen senior third baseman, said. "We put in all of the work for this and we just came out short though and we had a great ride."
Calallen Baseball UIL 4A State Championship Titles
2008: Calallen wins 11-1 over Waxahachie in 5 innings
2005: Calallen wins 10-3 over Waco Midway
2000: Calallen wins 8-6 over Port Neches-Groves in 9 innings
Calallen falls 3-1 in State Championship, but ends 13 year drought
Calallen's Chase Lynch game face ready pre-game
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Calallen's Hayden Brock and teammate pre-game
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Calallen young fan ready for State Championship 2024
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Calallen senior Justin Calderon after State Runner-Up finish
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Calallen senior RJ Cruz hugs his brother Calallen junior Jaydon
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Calallen falls to Liberty-Eylau 3-1 in 2024 UIL 4A State Championship
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Steve Chapman hugs Calallen faculty after State Runner-Up finish
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Calallen players hug after State Runner-Up finish
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Calallen closer Cody Andrade
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Calallen baseball head coach Steve Chapman with State Runner-Up medal
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Calallen senior Tress Vasquez and sophomore Drayton Mitchell hug
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Calallen baseball 2024 UIL 4A State Runner-up
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Calallen baseball head coach Steve Chapman
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Calallen baseball head coach Steve Chapman says how proud he is of his players after falling in the Championship 3-1
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Calallen's final prayer to end the 2024 season
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Steve Chapman hugs seniors after 3-1 loss in UIL 4A baseball State Championship 2024
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