Midway through the 2009 high school baseball season, the Tomball and Magnolia areas are home to a pair of the top teams in the Houston area.

Pictured, The Tomball Cougars celebrate after knocking off the Spring Lions in their last at bat March 31.

Both the Cougars and the Bulldogs are ranked in the top 10 in their respective classes in the Houston 5A Baseball Coaches Poll.

At 14-3 overall and 6-0 in district, the Cougars are climbing the rankings and are up to number 7 as of last week. Meanwhile, the Bulldogs at 12-7 overall and 5-1 in district are poised to crack the top three while sitting at number four in the 4A rankings.

The Bulldogs earned what so far is their signature win of the 2009 season when they knocked off the top ranked, and division rival, Brenham Cubs March 31 3-2 in a thrilling extra-innings contest. That win could be key when it comes time for playoff positioning should the Cubs and the Bulldogs be tied atop district 18-4A.

The Bulldogs have been led on the mound this season by Garrett Kinart and Ryan Welch. Kinart is 3-2 with a stellar 1.42 ERA in 30 innings pitched. In those 30 innings, Kinart has struck out 42.

Welch has a 3-1 record with a 2.92 ERA and 35 strikeouts in 24 innings on the mound.

Brett Thornell leads the Bulldogs at the plate with 20 hits and a .408 average. Jake Downey is tops on the team with 15 RBI, and is batting an impressive .350 on the year.

Other offensive leaders for Magnolia include Duncan Wendell (.400 average), Derek Barosh (.372) and Rene Moreda (.366).

Magnolia next plays April 7 when they travel to take on Caney Creek.

After a stunning 5-4 walk-off win against the Spring Lions, the Tomball Cougars have vaulted into first place in the ultra-competitive 13-5A. Picked by many to qualify for one of the last playoff berths in the district, Rick Lynch’s squad has somehow managed to surprise by getting off to a 6-0 start in district.

They were impressive again in a 10-0 run rule of DeKaney on April 1 in a make up game after an earlier rain out.

The Cougars so far have knocked off a pair of top 10 teams in Spring (No. 9) and Klein Oak (No. 8). Starting Tuesday the Cougars will kick off the second half of their district schedule hoping to keep their perfect district mark intact when they take on Klein.

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