Pearland is one of the top teams in the state this year thanks to a strong pitching staff and timely hitting that has vaulted the Oilers to the Class 6A Region III finals where they will face the Katy Tigers (30-6).
The winner of the best-of-three series will advance to the 6A state baseball tournament at Dell Diamond in Round Rock on June 9-10.
The Oilers (35-6) took care of business with a 3-0, 1-0 sweep of the Katy Cinco Ranch Cougars at the UH Schroeder Park.
As he has done all season, sophomore hurler Nico Partida pitched a four-hitter and struck out eight in 6 2/3 innings to pick up the win.
Pearland took a 1-0 lead in the second inning after Isaiah Castaneda singled to left.
He was bunted to second by Cade Adams before Brett Smajstrla stroked a run-scoring single to left.
The Oilers stretched the lead to 2-0 in the fourth after Castaneda singled and Adams followed with a bunt single.
Following an intentional walk to Ferraro to load the bases, Landry was hit by a pitch to bring home the second Oilers run.
In the seventh-inning, Pearland got a leadoff double to right-center by Ferraro. Landry laid down a bunt, and a Cinco Ranch throwing error allowed pinch runner Jordan Hernandez to score for a 3-0 cushion.
Cinco Ranch threatened in the seventh when Cinco Ranch Ranier Castillo and Paul Acosta each reach base on bloop singles while Ethan Muniz walked to load the bases with two outs.
Enter reliever Jake Mader-Cooper to the mound to retire Brock DeYoung for the final out to preserve the 3-0 win.
Leading hitters for Pearland were Ferraro (2-for-3, 2B), Damian Landry (1-for-3, 1 RBI), Castaneda (2-for-3, 2 runs), and Brett Smajstrla (1-for-2, 1 RBI).
Pearland 1 – Cinco Ranch 0
Once again, the pitching was the difference for Pearland as Jaden Barfield took the hill in relief of starter Ryler Smart who got in early control trouble with four walks. Barfield pitched six innings, allowed two hits while striking out 10 Cinco Ranch hitters.
The Cougars limited the Oilers to only four hits and one run in the loss as neither team could mount a serious offensive threat.
Pearland managed to score only one run in the bottom of the third when Jace Caceres opened the frame by getting hit by a pitch. Courtesy runner Jordan Hernandez entered the game for Caceres and advanced to second on a stolen base. Brett Smajstrla had a sacrifice bunt sending Hernandez to third with one out.
With Caden Ferraro at bat, Hernandez would score on a passed ball on a 1-1 count to Ferraro for a 1-0 lead.
That would be all Pearland would need to sweep the series and advance to the region finals.
Barfield would pitch a masterful game in relief to pick up the win.
