Aledo baseball defeats Smithson Valley, wins Class 5A Division I championship
Over a decade after its first state championship, Aledo baseball had an opportunity to get back to the top of the Texas high school baseball mountaintop.
And when the lights at Dell Diamond were shining the brightest, the Bearcats capitalized. Aledo (34-8) defeated Smithson Valley 8-1 to win the Class 5A Division I state championship on Friday, June 6.
“It’s been a while,” said head coach Chad Berry, who was there for Aledo’s last title in 2014. “And I’ve had a while to think about how special (getting to Round Rock) really is. So, this one is dear to my heart because it takes a lot to get here.”
Starting pitcher Devin Miller was stellar, pitching all seven innings. He allowed one earned run on four hits with one walk, two hit batters, and two strikeouts.
Miller credited his teammates for playing solid defense. He said he knew this group — one that has played together for most of their lives — could win a state title.
“And we did,” Miller said. “We’re family. We play for each other and not just ourselves. And that really showed tonight.”
The Bearcats, No. 6 in Class 5A according to the Texas High School Baseball Coaches Association, seized an early lead with an RBI single from Lucas Nawrocki. Smithson Valley (28-13) quickly responded with an RBI single from Bryce Wells.
In the second inning, Aledo’s Brennon Evans was picked off at first, yet he managed to create a scoring opportunity. He avoided a tag at second base, and Nick Foster bolted to the plate and managed to do the same, reclaiming the Bearcats’ lead.
With Miller holding Smithson Valley at bay, the Bearcats added to their lead in the fifth inning. Nawrocki, who is hitting above .500 on the season, sent a line drive to the left-center gap for an RBI triple. He then scored on an infield single off the bat of Luke Trager.
“(Nawrocki) is outstanding,” Miller said. “He puts the barrel on the ball almost every time, and if he doesn’t, he still hits it pretty hard. He has been on fire. He has helped us a lot, that’s for sure.”
Smithson Valley threatened in the fifth inning, loading the bases. The Bearcats turned a double play with the help of a controversial call — the runner was safe at first, but interference was called at second, which ended the inning.
Aledo’s Brooks Burdine, an Air Force pledge, extended the Bearcat’s lead in the sixth inning, sending one 325 feet to the right field wall for a triple.
In the seventh inning, Nawrocki, the game’s Most Valuable Player, notched his fourth hit to tie the Class 5A title game record. He tallied two RBIs and two runs.
“You dream of this growing up as a kid, bringing a state title to your town,” Nawrocki said. “We haven’t been here in 11 years. And to win it this year on this team, and to be a big part of it, it’s a dream come true.”
Landon Barnes scored on a balk, and soon after, the Bearcats put the lead out of reach with a two-run single from Brennon Evans.
“It all just kind of fell together for us this year,” Berry said. “It’s a testament to our kids and their work ethic — their commitment every day to their craft. Coming out and working out and working hard to get better in each and every day.”
This story was originally published June 6, 2025 at 11:01 PM.
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