McKeel Academy Shocks Jefferson To Win District 3A-9

The 2026 District 3A-9 champion McKeel Academy Wildcats. *Photo from @McKeelBaseball.

The McKeel Academy Wildcats picked the right time to get hot. Coming down the stretch run of the regular season, the Wildcats carried a small winning streak that continued to build momentum in the District 3A-9 tournament. After moving past the Robinson Knights in the semifinals, McKeel continued fanning the flames and burned its way to a 10-2 victory over the top-seeded Jefferson Dragons in the title game.

The Wildcats (14-10) claim their second straight district title and tenth overall in program history, while extending their winning streak to seven games. McKeel also advanced into the regional playoffs, where it travels to take on the Bishop Verot Vikings (18-8) in a 3A regional quarterfinal on Saturday, April 25th.

The top of the batting order set the tone for McKeel. Lead-off hitter Carter Rouse was 3-for-5 with a double, a run and four RBI, Logan Gill went 3-for-4 with an RBI and three runs batting in the two-hole, and starting pitcher Jorge Cordova was 2-for-4 with a double and three RBI batting third. Senior catcher Wyatt Thomas chipped in by going 3-for-4 with two runs, as the Wildcats piled up 13 hits overall.

Jorge Cordova picked up the win on the mound for the Wildcats. *Photo from @McKeelBaseball.

Cordova delivered a quality start on the mound to earn the victory. The right-hander went six full innings on 100 total pitches, allowing two earned runs on three hits and five walks. He recorded five strikeouts.

Junior reliever Rhett Dion recorded the final three outs to close out the win.

The Dragons (15-8-1) kept fighting until the very end, avoiding the shutout with both its runs in the bottom of the seventh. John Oliver led off with a walk, Manny Baez followed with a single and then Kaiden Johnson drove both base runners home with a two-RBI single to center.

Jefferson also earned a berth into the regional playoffs, as a wild card entrant. The Dragons host the Aubrey Rogers Patriots (17-8) in a 3A regional quarterfinal.

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