Midland High Blanks Abilene High in Pitchers' Duel

Jacoby Dutchover and George Ferguson trade zeroes before Bulldogs break through late

Feb. 27, 2026 at 4:35am

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In a highly anticipated matchup between two of the top high school pitchers in Texas, Midland High's Jacoby Dutchover and Abilene High's George Ferguson engaged in a scoreless duel for five innings before Midland broke through with two runs in the sixth to win 2-0. Dutchover, who has signed with Houston, pitched six no-hit innings with 13 strikeouts, while Ferguson, a Texas commit, struck out 10 in six frames.

Why it matters

The game featured two of the top pitching prospects in the state, showcasing the high level of talent in the Midland-Odessa area. The win keeps Midland High undefeated on the season and highlights the strength of their pitching staff as they aim to make a deep playoff run.

The details

Dutchover was dominant on the mound, working out of several jams to keep Abilene High off the scoreboard. In the fifth inning, he struck out four batters after the second batter reached on a wild pitch. Midland High finally broke through in the sixth when Carson Ham hit a two-run double to score Crue Collie and Dutchover. Lincoln Reinke came on to record the save, working out of a bases-loaded jam in the seventh.

  • Dutchover has started the 2026 season with 12 consecutive no-hit innings after hurling six no-hit innings against Abilene High.
  • The game was played on February 26, 2026 at Momentum Bank Ballpark.

The players

Jacoby Dutchover

A senior pitcher for Midland High who has signed to play at the University of Houston.

George Ferguson

A junior pitcher for Abilene High who has committed to play at the University of Texas.

Carson Ham

A Midland High player who hit a two-run double in the sixth inning to provide the game-winning hit.

Lincoln Reinke

The Midland High pitcher who recorded the save, working out of a bases-loaded jam in the seventh inning.

Joshua Hulin

The head coach of the Midland High baseball team.

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What they’re saying

“I've never coached a kid that has done something like that before. But it's not surprising. We're not going to take it for granted at all. He's got the makeup to be able to do that. I'm proud of him, he pitched in some jams and worked his tail off. Lincoln coming in and pitching in a jam there at the end was a great way for that way to end.”

— Joshua Hulin, Midland High Head Coach

“Honestly, I rely on my teammates really. I know they've got my back on the offense and that takes a lot of pressure off me to go do it on the defense. Honestly, just knowing they've got my back, it boosts my confidence level.”

— Jacoby Dutchover

What’s next

The Tournament of Champions continues on Friday with several more high-profile matchups, including Midland High facing off against Canyon Randall and Clint Horizon.

The takeaway

This game showcased the elite pitching talent in the Midland-Odessa area, with Dutchover and Ferguson both delivering dominant performances. Midland High's ability to break through late against a tough opponent like Abilene High bodes well for their chances of making a deep playoff run this season.