Bowie baseball advanced to the state semifinals, like the volleyball program, with a senior-laden group – paced by current Northeast Texas Community College pitcher Chandler Dean.
Van Alstyne knocked Bowie out in the 3A-Region II semifinals, 4-3; but it wasn’t without a fight.
Trace Hardee tripled to deep right field to open the seventh, putting the game-tying run at third base. However, Kamry Weber grounded out to short – ending the game.
Still, Bowie finished with a record of 27-11-1, capping yet another fine season under head coach Ryan Rogers.
“It was a memorable year,” Rogers said. “Everything started clicking. It was the team chemistry. They all got along with each other on and off the field. They played hard for each other. They all wanted each other to do well.”
Aside from Dean, the senior contingent included Hardee, Weber, Hardin-Simmons player Carter Shackelford, Barrett Brooks, Kevin Stallcup, Lawson Mickler, Konnor Koks and Kollin Gillaspia.
Dean was a first-team all-state choice, and the catcher Weber was a second-team pick when postseason accolades were handed out.

Bowie’s Chandler Dean prepares to make a putout at second base on a Van Alstyne player during the Conference 3A Region II semifinals at Kennedale in late May. Van Alstyne topped Bowie in three games, and eventually finished as state runner-up in this classification. (News file photo by Eric Viccaro)