Klein hopes for double win over Tomball

By TODD HVEEM
CHRONICLE CORRESPONDENT
The Tomball Cougars will try and take down the District 13-5A favorites when they host the Klein Bearkats at 7 p.m. Tuesday at Cougar Field.
Klein, which defeated Tomball 4-3 in the first round of 13-5A play, was 14-3 overall and a perfect 4-0 in the league through the first 17 games of the year.
Tomball won 14 of its first 18 games, with losses to state-ranked Round Rock Westwood, Austin Lake Travis, Kingwood and Klein.
ABOUT THE GAME
Matchup: Klein vs. Tomball
When: 7 p.m. Tuesday
Where: Tomball High School
At stake: The District 13-5A title. If Klein wins, it will have the inside track toward the conference championship.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Klein: DeLeon Boyd (P, IF); Aaron Smith (IF); Mitchell Nau (C); Eric Fisher (1B/P); Michael West (P).
Tomball: Jonathan Young; TJ Anderson; Tyler Smith; Blake Willieford.
TEAM HIGHLIGHTS
Klein: The Bearkats beat Tomball 4-3 the first time the two teams met and started district play 4-0 after missing the playoffs in 2009. Eric Fisher, who has signed with Arkansas, has been nothing short of spectacular for Kats, who are looking to make their third trip to the Class 5A state tournament since 1998. Michael West, who was the starting quarterback on the football team, pitched two scoreless innings to allow Klein to hold on for a one-run win over Tomball the first time the two teams met.
Tomball: The Cougars rebounded from losing their district opener against Klein to beat Westfield 11-1, Klein Oak 12-2 and Klein Forest 6-0. Tomball, which also owns a 7-6 victory over No. 1 area ranked Cy-Fair, is loaded with great pitching and great hitting. If they can beat Klein at home, they could be the favorite to win the district title down the line.