‘Won Texas’: Keller takes Class 6A Division I title with win over Lake Travis

The Keller baseball team’s battle cry all season has been “Win Texas.” On Saturday the Indians did just that.

Keller pitcher Cole Koeninger pitched the game of his career allowing just two hits in six and two-thirds innings as the Indians clawed their way to a 2-1 win over Austin Lake Travis in the Class 6A Division I state championship game on Saturday at Dell Diamond.

It was the first state title for Keller (40-4-2) in baseball. The Indians have made consecutive regional finals and made a state championship game appearance in the 2021 season, falling 4-3 to Rockwall-Heath.

It was the first state championship game appearance for Lake Travis (32-12-1).

Koeninger, a Tennessee signee, was noticeably missing from the batting order after aggravating a left-hand injury last week. He said that he took a couple of swings pregame, but that “it just wasn’t going to happen, but I’m glad these guys got it done.”

Koeninger was able to start on the mound, however, where he was stellar earning championship game MVP honors. The senior allowed just two hits, one earned run with eight strikeouts and five walks.

“This is just so exciting,” said Koeninger. “I can’t say enough good things about this group and although it’s sad to be done with these guys, this was definitely a cherry on the top of my senior year. It feels unbelievable to be able to finally get it done for coach (Rob) Stramp in his last game.

“He deserves it more than anyone. He’s been here so long and has been so close that to finally get it for him is really special.”

Keller jumped on Lake Travis starting pitcher, and University of Texas at Austin signee, Cooper Webb early. An error on a grounder to deep first by Keller leadoff hitter Brock Burkett turned into two bases after getting stuck under the tarp down the line.

Burkett cruised into third on a passed ball and scampered home on a sacrifice fly to left field by Maximus Segura to give the Indians an early 1-0 lead.

Koeninger got two quick outs in the first inning, but gave up a soft lined single to left by Ethan Schlotterback and a walk to Yanu Molina, son of 10-time MLB All Star and two-time World Series champion Yadier Molina, before striking out Elliott Proppe to end the inning.

After the very first batter of the game scored, Koeninger and Webb took over with both pitchers allowing just the one hit by Schlotterback between them until the sixth inning. Keller had a base runner in every inning, but didn’t get its first hit until sophomore Maddox McCrary lined a single to left center in the top of the sixth.

In that sixth inning, Segura led off with a walk and moved to second on the hit by McCrary. Jayden Moeller struck out, but the Cavaliers decided to walk University of Houston signee, Logan Brown to load the bases.

Carson Lesley followed with a ground ball to short, but Lake Travis was unable to turn a double play and Segura scored from third to give Keller a 2-0 lead.

“Getting that run felt great,” said Leslie, a senior. “I just knew that I had to do my job and try to hit something. They hadn’t made great plays on the infield all day, so I was just trying to do my job and hit it on the ground and it worked out.”

Koeninger retired the side in order in the bottom of the sixth and got the first two outs of the seventh before walking pinch hitter Brady Skutta and running into his pitch count.

Connor Davenport, who’s headed to Abilene Christian in the fall, came on and got into a bit of trouble. Pinch runner Nolan Atkins took second and third on indifference and scored on a wild pitch to make it 2-1.

Davenport then walked James Tudor and hit C.J. Hamsford with a pitch to put runners at second and first. Nelson Molina, cousin Yanu Molina, gounded, followed with a ground ball to first where Trey Baugus pitched to Davenport covering for the final out as the Keller faithful erupted.

“I was going to give it everything I had for this team, so that’s what I did,” said Koeninger. “It was tough getting behind and walking that last guy because I really wanted to get that last out. I had confidence in my guy (Connor Davenport), and it was a little tough watching it from the dugout, but I’m so glad that he got it done.”

Keller hasn’t missed the playoffs since the 2002 season, which adds up to 24 consecutive playoff berths. Head coach Rob Stramp goes out in style coaching his final game after 28 seasons at the helm of the Indians.

This story was originally published June 6, 2026 at 5:57 PM.