158 / 212
156
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ST. THOMAS HIGH SCHOOL
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HOUSTON, TX
Looking Back
The defending state champion
Eagles came within one win of
advancing to their sixth consecutive
TAPPS 5A state tournament,
eliminated from the postseason in
a one-game regional playoff after
defeating Argyle Liberty Christian
two games to one in a best-of-three
series at Baylor Ballpark in Waco.
Matthew Ashbaugh ‘16 pitched a
three-hit complete game shutout
with one walk in the decisive Game
Three 9-0 rout that pushed STH
into the next playoff round and
then allowed only two runs on two
hits in the defeat that ended the
season.
Ashbaugh and Wendell Champion
‘15 (University of Houston) were
named to the TAPPS 5A All-State
team.
A program-record seven Eagles
earned college opportunities to
extend their careers ... including
shortstop Max Machiorlette ‘15
(Princeton University), catcher
Chris Winter ‘15 and pitcher John
Ganucheau (Rhodes College),
pitchers Luke Dworak ‘15 and
Barret Kaul ‘15 (Millsaps College),
and pitcher Matt George ‘15
(DePauw University).
Looking Ahead
Ashbaugh and Cameron Cash ‘16
give coach Ryan Lousteau one of
the premiere pair of left-handed
starters in the state.
Each allowed only 18 earned runs
in a combined 101 innings pitched
over 18 starts and five relief
appearances in 2014. Both owned
ERAs under 3.00.
Ashbaugh projected to that
standard after a solid sophomore
season capped by his shutdown
outing against Tomball Concordia
Lutheran in the 2014 state title
game, allowing but one second-
inning run and striking out four in
a 2-1 championship clincher for the
program’s third state crown in five
years.
He continues to flash consistent
command and big-moment
presence and performance which
defy the perceptions of his under-
sized physical make-up.
“You can’t control certain
measurables. But Matthew is an
absolute winner. One of the most
competitive kids I’ve ever coached,”
Lousteau said. “Some guys are
scared to be in that must-win
setting. Matthew wants to be there,
wants the ball. It’s a quality you
cannot coach into kids. He brings
a relentless focus and attitude
to attack hitters whether it’s a
playoff game, an elimination game
or the first game of a weekend
tournament.”
Cash’s sudden rise in 2014
translated into winning six of his
seven decisions, including the Game
One playoff victory over Liberty
Christian when he surrendered
only two runs. For the season
his strikeout-to-walk ratio was a
scintillating 35-13.
“The biggest strides Cameron made
last season were about his make-
up, not so much his stuff. He had
pitched well in that Senior League
World Series the previous summer
and that really seemed to boost his
confidence. There’s every reason to
expect that to carry over. He’ll have
a monster senior season,” Lousteau
said.
Lousteau is also looking for
continued progress from Nolan
Lundholm ‘15 to give him a third
lefty to consume important innings,
especially in the front-loaded
portion of the schedule.
“Our pitching will continue to be
our strength, that’s the foundation,”
Lousteau said.
Generating enough pop to support
and maximize those top-shelf starts
figures to be the challenge. For the
second consecutive season Lousteau
is replacing his leadoff catalyst, as
well as the run producing punch in
the middle of his lineup.
Gone are Champion
(349/.506/.362) and Chris Winter
‘15 who led the Eagles in hitting,
slugging and RBI.
“We’re going to be an athletic team,
a smart team. Work the counts, get
on base, steal, hit-and-run, traffic
on the basepaths. We’ll look to put
more pressure on the opposing
defenses than last year. This lineup
will have to manufacture runs and
take advantage of opportunities. We
can’t just sit back and wait for a Ben
Condara or a Winter or a Wendell
Champion to pound pitchers,”
Lousteau said.
Second baseman Alex Carnegie ‘16
(.330/.362/.450) played in all 31
games last season and is a proven
table-setter at the top of the lineup
who Lousteau says “knows his
strengths and knows his role.”
Eric Moore ‘16 slides from third
base to replace the departed
Machiorlette. Lundholm is in the
mix at first base and for a corner
outfield spot with Shane Podsednik
‘16 a prime candidate to replace
Winter behind the plate.
“Our infield defense has a chance
to be special,” Lousteau said.
Sweet-stroking Philip Matulia ‘18
was a steady starter in left field
who only figures to improve at an
accelerated rate. But the remaining
Eagle outfield spots are still to be
determined.
“There are jobs to be won.
Whoever swings the bats in the
scrimmages and early part of the
season will separate from the pack,”
Lousteau said. “Who would have
thought a year ago at this time
that a freshman (Matulia) would
end up playing such a primary role
in the upcoming season. That’s a
great example of someone taking
advantage of an opportunity. I’m
excited to see who takes ownership.
Overall, this is more of a reload
than a rebuild. And I’ve always
found that success is generated
through the leadership from a
good group of seniors. This season
should be no different.”
FOOTBALL
17 STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS
39 AT THE NEXT LEVEL
WRESTLING
3 STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS
5 REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS
4 AT THE NEXT LEVEL
SWIMMING
2015-2016 PREVIEW
CROSS COUNTRY
/
TRACK & FIELD
10 STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS
21 AT THE NEXT LEVEL
BASKETBALL
9 STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS
16 AT THE NEXT LEVEL
SOCCER
1 STATE CHAMPIONSHIP
18 AT THE NEXT LEVEL
BASEBALL
23 STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS
49 AT THE NEXT LEVEL