Amarillo High Baseball Clinches Playoff Spot with Undefeated Week

The Sandies overcame early deficits and tough competition to secure their postseason berth in District 3-5A.

Apr. 11, 2026 at 8:33pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting the fragmented action of a high school baseball game, with players, field, and equipment broken down into sharp, overlapping planes of color and shape.Amarillo High's resilient comeback victories over rivals Tascosa and Lubbock Monterey showcase the Sandies' determination to clinch a playoff spot.Lubbock Today

The Amarillo High Sandies baseball team clinched a playoff spot in District 3-5A this past week, going undefeated despite facing several challenges. After beating crosstown rival Tascosa 2-0 on Friday, the Sandies followed up with a comeback 7-5 win over Lubbock Monterey the next day, rallying from an early 5-0 deficit. The team's resilience and ability to win close games has coach Randon Johnson excited for the postseason.

Why it matters

Amarillo High's undefeated week and playoff clinching performance showcases the team's grit and determination. In a competitive district, the Sandies have proven they can win tough games against quality opponents, which bodes well for their chances in the upcoming playoffs.

The details

On Friday, the Sandies beat Tascosa 2-0 despite getting only two hits, as pitcher Jayden Cedillo threw a complete game shutout. The next day, Amarillo High fell behind Lubbock Monterey 5-0 early, but rallied with seven unanswered runs to win 7-5. Taegen Tate started on the mound for the Sandies, and Tate Blackwell came in to earn the save in the 7th inning.

  • On Friday, April 10, the Sandies beat Tascosa 2-0.
  • On Saturday, April 11, the Sandies came back to beat Lubbock Monterey 7-5.

The players

Randon Johnson

The head coach of the Amarillo High Sandies baseball team.

Jayden Cedillo

The Amarillo High pitcher who threw a complete game shutout against Tascosa.

Taegen Tate

The Amarillo High starting pitcher who gutted out a win against Lubbock Monterey despite giving up 10 hits.

Tate Blackwell

The Amarillo High pitcher who came in to earn the save in the 7th inning against Lubbock Monterey.

Xander Plowman

The Amarillo High pinch hitter who tripled to right field in the 6th inning against Lubbock Monterey, sparking the Sandies' comeback.

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What they’re saying

“We could have jumped out early and taken a little bit of the stress out, but you're talking about getting ready for the playoffs and we need to be tested and see how we react to tough situations. This team has just answered the bell every time and it's fun to see.”

— Randon Johnson, Head Coach, Amarillo High Sandies

“It says a lot about this team. You don't get to 26 wins out of 29 games without having a lot of different guys come in and do a lot of different things. Today's a great example of that.”

— Randon Johnson, Head Coach, Amarillo High Sandies

“I have a lot of trust in the guys who start the game for us. Sometimes you come out and Mother Nature's out there pushing that ball around and you really get punished when you leave it up. We had a great pitching performance followed by a good pitching performance with the wind blowing out. The thing with Taegen is how he righted the ship and showed a lot to be able to come back from that.”

— Randon Johnson, Head Coach, Amarillo High Sandies

What’s next

The Amarillo High Sandies will now focus on preparing for the upcoming playoffs, having already clinched a postseason berth in District 3-5A.

The takeaway

Amarillo High's undefeated week and ability to overcome early deficits against tough opponents demonstrates the team's resilience and grit, making them a formidable contender heading into the playoffs.