Cinco Ranch is on the verge of making school history.

The Cougars have a long and storied athletic tradition, but one thing missing from their achievements in a trip into the regional rounds of the baseball playoffs.

Breaking that barrier has been a goal for the Cougars all year, they’ve built the most successful Cinco Ranch baseball team of all time, earning a 30-4 record, and winning their first district championship since 2006.

Now, Cinco is just a game away from accomplishing that which the program has never done, after beating Memorial 4-1 in game one of their area round series. With another win, the Cougars would advance to their first regional quarterfinal.

“It was huge to get the win today and take that advantage,” said senior pitcher Parker Booth. “We want to get to round three, that’s what we’re focused on and so to get that first win is exactly what we needed. It’s our job just to keep it rolling now and keep doing what we’ve done so far.”

Booth led the way for the Cougars in the win, allowing just one run in six innings on the mound and striking out two while allowing six hits.

Like he has all season, Booth attacked the strike zone and got outs from his defense behind him, he only needed 83 pitches to get through his six innings and never let Memorial have hope of getting back into the game.

“That’s what we expect out of him,” said Cinco Ranch head coach Brett Wallace. “He’s done it all year, he’s attacked the zone and put us in good positions. As long as he’s doing that, and he’s done that all year, we know he’s going to give us a good chance. That’s exactly what he did tonight.”

The Cougars took the lead in the bottom of the first inning, when Lucas Franco doubled in Brock DeYoung, who had singled to lead off the inning and then stole second to get in scoring position.

Cinco kept that one run lead until the fourth inning, when Memorial tied things up, but immediately the Cougars had an answer.

The Cougars got runners on and then Ethan Muniz drove in two before another run was brought in when Memorial’s pitcher balked, putting Cinco ahead 4-1.

Booth didn’t allow anything the rest of the way through his start, getting through six innings before Logan Sosolik came in for the save, pitching a perfect top of the seventh to seal the win.

“It’s just a boost having Logan,” Wallace said. “The entire team knows when we get into a save opportunity that we can bring in Sosolik and he’s just going to work and get us through it. He’s done it for us all year and is a tremendous closer.”

The Cougars will have two chances to close out the area round and advance to the regional quarterfinals, but while they are looking forward to the opportunity, no one is overlooking Memorial in those two games.

“The kids know what’s at stake and they want it,” Wallace said. “This is the best team in school history and they have wanted this all year. That’s one more thing that we have to do and they’re ready for that challenge.”