"There were four outstanding pitching performances in the series. ... But somebody's got to lose, it's unfortunate."

Yellowjacket starter Travis Moseley held the Highlanders to just five hits in the game while striking out three and walking one. The Woodlands' Kyle Drabek had a strong outing as well as he struck out 11 and only gave up four hits and four walks as the junior lost his first game on the season. He held Rockwall hitless after the second inning.

The red-hot Highlander bats were cooled off in the series by the Yellowjacket hurlers and the deep fences at Kilgore's Driller Park. The Woodlands, who had 42 runs on 58 hits in its first four playoff games, had several hard-hit balls that Rockwall outfielders were able to track down and make over-the-shoulder catches on the warning track.

The Highlanders struck early in the first inning as Wayne Hrozek got an infield hit. After advancing on a ground out by Drabek, the senior scored on Kyle Walker's single to right.

Rockwall would answer in the bottom half of the inning as Roger Kieschnick doubled and went to third on a groundout. Derek VerHagen then singled to knock in Kieschnick.

In the second inning, the Yellowjackets loaded the bases on two singles and a walk and would score what would prove to be the game-winning run on a passed ball.

The Highlanders were unable to string any hits together the rest of the way. Brice Ary and Paul Goldschmidt both had doubles but were left stranded. In the sixth, Walker singled with one out but the Yellowjackets then turned a double-play to end the potential threat.

With the loss, The Woodlands finishes with a 28-6 record on the season. Rockwall improves to 29-7 and will play Klein Collins next week in the regional finals with a state tournament berth on the line.

HCN sports editor Kim Richardson contributed to this story.