Westside coach Emrick Jagneaux is not expecting anything new or different from Bellaire heading into their 5A-Region III final series this weekend. But he knows it’s going to be a battle from the get-go.

“We feel good about this series. We know a lot about them and it’s going to be just like a fight,” Jagneaux said. “Left and right, left and right, and whoever is left standing is going to win.”

Although Bellaire has a long-standing tradition of winning state titles, that doesn’t seem to faze the Wolves, who want to start some tradition of their own.

The Wolves have looked strong all postseason long, going 6-0 while knocking off talented teams like Memorial, Baytown Sterling and last year’s state champ, Cy-Fair. A good portion of the credit for Westside’s play has been credited to the pitching of its two aces, Taylor Wall and Michael Goodnight. Wall has pitched three shutouts in the playoffs this year, including a no-hitter against Sterling last week. Goodnight has also been impressive in the playoffs, including a 12-strikeout performance in a shutout win over Memorial.

But another big key for Westside’s success is the key hits the Wolves have gotten in the playoffs so far. Whether it’s a walk-off home run by Daniel Mengden or late hits by Michael Falcone and Matt Clayton, the Wolves find a way to get it done.

“When you get into this type of situations, you have to have a little luck,” he said. “We’ve been able to get the big hit here and there, and our kids know if you have Taylor Wall or Michael (Goodnight) on the hill, we have a chance to win.”

Although the Wolves beat the Cardinals in both games in the regular series, Jagneaux feels that it’s a whole new ballgame in the playoffs. He knows Bellaire will have a deeper pitching pool than  the Wolves and the Cards are known for rallying for runs late in the game. Both teams are kind of similar in how they play, and that makes it easier for them to prepare for each other.

“We both have pitching, we both play defense, we both hit,” Jagneaux said. “We’re in the same district and that’s a good thing, because someone from HISD is going to state.

“That’s the good thing about it, but I hope it’s us.”

The series begins at 7:30 p.m. Friday with Game 1 at Roy Knoblauch Field at the Butler Sports Complex, with Game 2 at 1 p.m. Saturday and Game 3, if necessary, starting 45 minutes after the end of Game 2.

***

BASEBALL

Regional III finals

Westside vs. Bellaire

Game 1: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Butler Stadium
Game 2: 1 p.m. Saturday, Butler Stadium

*Game 3: 45 minutes following Game 2

* If necessary 

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