August 3, 2024 – The Texas Collegiate League season concluded with a thrilling championship game at Riverside Stadium, where the Victoria Generals secured an 8-2 victory over the Acadiana Cane Cutters to claim the 2024 league title. The win marks the third championship in Victoria's history and their first since 2018. The game also served as a rematch of the 2022 TCL Championship, where Acadiana had edged Victoria 6-5.
The Generals’ offense showcased balanced contributions, with standout performances by Travis Bragg (Texas State) and Drew Schmidt (UT-Tyler), who each collected two hits and a double. Schmidt added two walks, scored a run, and drove in another, while Bragg’s league-leading .373 batting average was on full display. Connor Clark (UT-Tyler) contributed two RBIs, while Anthony Avalos (Houston) and Cameron Nickens (Austin Peay) each crossed the plate twice to fuel the Generals’ effort.
On the mound, Julio Garcia (UT-Tyler) earned the win with 3 2/3 innings of scoreless relief, allowing just one hit while striking out five. Starter Miles Clack (UT-Tyler) worked 4 1/3 innings, yielding two runs on three hits. Lamar’s Zach Ryan closed the door with a scoreless ninth inning, featuring a strikeout.
Acadiana struck early with a two-run double from catcher Trevor Durr (John Melvin) in the second inning. However, Victoria responded quickly, cutting the deficit in half in the bottom of the frame with Schmidt’s sacrifice fly. An error by Acadiana in the third inning allowed the Generals to tie the game at 2-2.
The game swung decisively in Victoria’s favor in the seventh inning when Schmidt’s RBI single gave the Generals a 3-2 lead. The team then erupted for five runs in the eighth inning to secure the championship. Key moments included a Cane Cutters error that scored Hal Perez (Houston-Victoria), a two-run double from Clark, and RBI contributions from Nickens and Diego Diaz (UTSA).
While Acadiana fought valiantly, including three innings from Louisiana Christian’s Kade Linn, who allowed two earned runs and struck out four, Victoria’s late-game surge proved too much to overcome.
The 2024 championship game highlighted the depth of talent in the Texas Collegiate League, with outstanding performances from both teams capping a competitive season. Congratulations to both Victoria and Acadiana for their achievements this year.