Ennis Lions Baseball Looks to Rebound After Tough Finish

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The Ennis Lions baseball team was on the verge of a playoff berth last season, sitting at 12-9-2 overall and 7-3 in district games. However, a late-season collapse, including a heartbreaking 10-8 loss to Red Oak after blowing a 7-1 lead, kept them out of the postseason. Now, the Lions are looking to rebound with a young, retooled roster anchored by key players like Castillo, Rodriguez, Newman, Payne, Slovak, and Rudd.

Why it matters

The Lions' late-season struggles highlighted the need for the team to develop more consistency and mental toughness to close out games. With a new-look roster, the team has an opportunity to learn from last year's mistakes and make a push for the playoffs in 2026.

The details

After a promising start to the 2026 season, the Ennis Lions baseball team faltered down the stretch, going just 1-4 in their final five games. The low point came in a 10-8 loss to Red Oak, where the Lions blew a 7-1 lead by walking eight batters. Now, the team is looking to rebound with a young, retooled roster led by key players like Castillo, Rodriguez, Newman, Payne, Slovak, and Rudd.

• The Lions finished the 2026 season with a 12-9-2 overall record and a 7-3 mark in district play.
• In their final game of the season, the Lions blew a 7-1 lead and lost 10-8 to Red Oak in a play-in game, missing the playoffs.