Assistant Editor
The Aubrey Chaparrals varsity baseball team has all their bases covered to start the season, opening 2026 with a 10-5-1 record.
In their most recent contests, the Chaps fell to Krum, 3-2, in their district opener March 3, but bounced back, winning three of four games in the Aubrey/Ponder Varsity Baseball Tournament on March 5-6 and defeating Prosper Richland 2-0 on Tuesday evening.
“The start of the season has been good so far, and at this point of the year we’ve already won 10 games, so that’s a plus,” Aubrey head baseball coach Nathan Henry said. “… Our guys did really well throughout the tournaments, but it’s still early, and we’re still trying to figure out some things. That was just our second district game, so there’s still competition throughout the lineup, which is always healthy, but I’m just proud of how our guys have handled the start of the season.”
Henry spoke highly of the chemistry this year’s team has displayed to start the season.
“It’s their commitment to each other,” he said. “… They’re a close-knit, great group of guys that have been friends forever, so it’s easy for them to play for each other. We’ve returned so many kids from last year that have bought in, and they’ve put in the blood, sweat and tears and once you’ve put in that much effort, you’re committed, and it’s that much easier to play for your brother.”
After their last-second loss to Krum in the district opener, Aubrey reeled off Kimball, North Side and Coram Deo Academy.
The Chaps’ most recent victory came in a 2-0 shutout of the Prosper Richland Raiders at home Tuesday, earning the Chaps their first district win of the season.
Jimmy Hay got things rolling for Aubrey in the bottom of the first inning with a single to center field that drove in one run, putting the Chaps on top 1-0.
Aubrey extended its lead to 2-0 after Prosper Richland’s pitcher walked a runner with the bases loaded, forcing a Chaps baserunner home.
With their slim lead in hand, the Chaps’ defense flashed the leather all over the diamond, smothering the Raiders’ offense and taking the 2-0 win.
Hay led Aubrey on the mound, striking out 8 and allowing 4 hits and no runs.
“I thought I played well, and our defense was pretty spectacular tonight,” he said. “We need to play better offensively, take better approaches at the plate and hit better going forward, but defensively, we played well all around today.”
Shortstop Luke Hellman, who led Aubrey with 4 hits and 6 RBIs in the Chaps’ three-game winning streak, credited the team’s preparation and chemistry for their success.
“Practice and getting reps, we have a lot of people, so we try to hit and field as much as we can,” he said. “I didn’t do so hot in this game, but I encouraged my teammates and celebrated their success when they were hitting, and we did everything we could in the field, trying to make fewer errors and playing behind our pitcher.”
With the Chaps’ win total already reaching double figures, Henry emphasized his excitement for this year’s team.
“These guys can be as good as they want to be,” he said. “The talent is there. It’s just about the commitment and buy-in on doing the little things that add up, the awareness to win situational baseball, and being the best teammate you can be. If we can get all those right, the talent is there, and they’re going to be a fun group to watch this year.”
The Chaps hit the road for the second game of a home and away series against Prosper Richland at 5 p.m. Friday.
Aubrey outfielder Ayden Bass lays out to snag a flyball and helping the Chaps shutout Prosper Richland and secure their first district win of the season. Martin Edwards/The Post-Signal
