FRISCO — The Pleasant Grove Hawks are heading back to the state championship.
For the second time in three years, the Hawks will play for a Class 4A Division I state title after delivering a commanding two-game sweep of the West Plains Wolves in the state semifinals at RoughRiders Park (Riders Field) in Frisco.
Pleasant Grove took Game 1 on Thursday, May 28, by a score of 10-3, then delivered a decisive 10-0 mercy-rule shutout in Game 2 on Friday, May 29, to punch their ticket to Dell Diamond in Round Rock on June 5.
The Hawks (state runners-up in 2025 and champions in 2021) showed exactly why they are one of the most complete and battle-tested teams in Texas high school baseball. Their pitching staff continued its historic dominance, and the offense was relentless against a West Plains squad that had made its deepest playoff run in program history.
Game 1 Recap: Hunter Rose Sets the Tone (10-3)
University of Arkansas signee Hunter Rose was electric on the mound and at the plate. The left-hander improved to 11-0 with a complete-game effort, striking out seven while allowing just four hits and three runs (one earned). Rose also went 3-for-4 with four RBIs, including a two-run triple that helped blow the game open.
Pleasant Grove jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the second without a hit, capitalizing on walks and a West Plains error. The Hawks added runs in every inning from the third through sixth, using small ball, timely hitting, and aggressive base running to wear down the Wolves. Spencer Browning and Walker Wright also contributed in key spots.
The Hawks’ pitching trio of Rose, Browning (another Arkansas signee), and Wright entered the series with 16 shutouts on the season (six in the postseason). That depth and command proved too much for West Plains starter Jesse Flores (who fell to 9-2) and the Wolves’ bullpen.
Game 2: Spencer Browning Delivers a Masterpiece (10-0 Shutout)
With the series on the line, Arkansas signee Spencer Browning took the ball and delivered a complete-game shutout in just six innings under the mercy rule. Browning scattered five hits, walked two, and struck out one while keeping West Plains off the scoreboard entirely. It marked Pleasant Grove’s **17th shutout of the season** and their **10th in the postseason** — an astounding display of pitching consistency.
The Hawks’ offense exploded for 10 runs on what reports indicate was a 12-hit attack. They scored two runs in the first inning alone: Browning doubled to center, and Jace Elrod followed with a sacrifice fly. Buck Anderson later ripped a ball to the outfield wall for a two-RBI double, and Walker Wright went 3-for-4 with two RBIs to lead the charge. Landon Fincher added a triple, while strong defense — including standout plays from third baseman Harrison Hoover and a game-ending catch by Blue Rose — helped enforce the 10-0 mercy-rule victory.
West Plains put multiple runners on base in the fourth, fifth, and sixth innings but could not break through Pleasant Grove’s defense or Browning’s command. The Wolves finished the game with zero runs on five hits.
Stats That Defined the Sweep
Pitching dominance: Pleasant Grove allowed just three total runs across 12+ innings while posting back-to-back complete-game performances from future Razorback signees.
Offensive efficiency: The Hawks scored in bunches early and often, capitalizing on extra-base hits, timely sacrifices, and defensive miscues.
Experience factor: A senior-heavy roster that has been to the biggest stages before refused to let the moment get too big — exactly as the head coach expected.
After the final out in Game 2, the Hawks celebrated the hard-earned advancement by jumping into the pool — a fitting end to a dominant semifinal performance.
Pleasant Grove now prepares to face the winner of Bullard and Corpus Christi Calallen in the state championship series at Dell Diamond on June 5. With a championship pedigree, elite pitching depth, and an offense firing on all cylinders, the Hawks are poised to bring home another state title.
The road that started years ago has led them back to the biggest stage in Texas high school baseball — and they’re ready for it.
Story by Hannah Johnson for Texarkana News. Some information incorporated from MyPlainview and Yahoo Sports coverage of the series.
.png)
.jpg)