Westbrook’s Mikhail Cazenave steals second base during the Warriors’ 5-0 loss to G.W. Long in the Class 2A baseball state championship series on Friday (May 17) in Montgomery. By Chris McCarthy/Editor
After outscoring the opposition 95-15 over the first four rounds of the high school baseball postseason, Westbrook Christian finally ran into a pitching staff capable of holding the Warrior offense in check.
The Warriors suffered a sweep at the hands of G.W. Long in the best-of-three Class 2A state championship series in Montgomery, losing 3-2 in Game 1 on Thursday and 5-0 at Riverwalk Stadium on Friday. It was the Skipperville squad’s 13th state baseball championship.
Westbrook (25-15) managed only eight hits for the series, including just one for extra bases.
The Rebels (32-8) totaled 14 hits, 10 in the deciding Game 2. Westbrook had runners on third base three times over the first two innings in Game 2 but failed to score.
“[G.W. Long] was able to execute plays, and we didn’t,” said Westbrook head coach Matt Kennedy. “We thought when we went into this [series] that it was to be a pitching and defensive duel, and sure enough, it it was. My guys battled the best they could; we just came up a little short. I’m real proud of our guys. Regardless of the outcome today, we had a great run and a great season.”
In seven innings in Game 2, G.W. Long starter Tristan Rice scattered four hits and three walks while striking out four. He benefited from a sharp double play in the top of the fifth inning and a spectacular diving catch in the sixth by leftfielder Stetson Payne that robbed Clay Templeton of an extra base hit.
“Tristan doesn’t throw really hard, but he kept us off-balance really well,” said Kennedy. “That’s what pitchers are supposed to do, deceive hitters, and he did a great job of doing that today.
“Coach [Drew] Miller had a good scouting report and he did a job of figuring out how he wanted to pitch to the holes in our swings. It all goes back to a pitcher hitting his spots and being deceptive and changing eye levels, and on the offensive side taking good approaches at the plate. Neither one worked for us, and it worked real well for them.”
As the visiting team, the Rebles took a 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning on Garrett Davis’ RBI single.
The Warriors had runners on first and third in the bottom of the inning, but Rice recorded a strikeout to escape the inning.
Mikhail Cazenave led off the Warrior second with a single and eventually made it to third base before Rice sent down the next three batters.
That turned out to be the last time Westbrook advanced past second base.
G.W. Long took a 2-0 lead in the third when Davis doubled home Ivey.
The Rebels big inning came in the fourth, when RBI doubles from Payne and Ivey plated three more runs for a 5-0 advantage.
A double play ended a Westbrook opportunity in the fourth, and Rice sent the Warriors down in order in the fifth and seventh innings.
Jake Kilgo went three innings for Westbrook, allowing five hits, one earned run and one walk.
Alex Perkins, Jordan McCartney, Jonathan Ford and Reaves each had a single for Westbrook.
Series MVP Garrett Davis went 2-for-3 with a double and RBI. Ivey and Josh Rogers also had two hits each.
“Obviously it hurts a lot when you get al the way here and you watch the other team dog-pile and grab that blue trophy,” said Perkins. “We’re definitely not disappointed about our season but we are disappointed in the outcome today. [G.W. Long] did the little things they had to do to win, and we didn’t. But we’re building on the tradition at Westbrook and we got over the semifinal hump.”
“During the game, I told our boys to turn around and look at all of our fans in the stands,” said Kennedy. “We had so much support, from the school and the community and former players to guys I’ve coached. I want to thank all the fans for coming down and supporting us.”
By Cole FrederickIn & around SEC baseball
Week 9 review
Auburn
The Tigers traveled to Gainesville last weekend and picked up a huge series win over Florida. Auburn won two out of three games, improving to 31-21 overall and 11-16 in conference play. The Tigers’ chances to make the 12-team SEC tournament field improved drastically over the weekend. Auburn closes out the regular season at home versus Arkansas.
Alabama
The Crimson
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Westbrook Christian senior Alex Perkins signs a letter-of-intent on Tuesday (May 14) to play basketball at Birmingham Southern College. Pictured sitting with Alex is dad Mike and mom Pam. Standing is Westbrook boys basketball coach Seth Ford. Westbrook’s Perkins signs with BSC
By Chris McCarthy/ Publisher/Editor
Alex Perkins’ focus on the present is helping Westbrook Christian win a state baseball championship this week as the team’s starting shortstop, but the Warrior senior recently looked a bit into the future.
Perkins signed a letter-of-intent on Tuesday (May 14) to play basketball at Birmingham Southern College.
A four-year starter at point guard, Perkins last season averaged 11.1
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Glencoe High senior Austin Hancock signs a letter-of-intent on May 13 to play basketball at Birmingham-Southern College. Pictured, sitting, from left: brother Corey, dad Tom, Austin, mom Pam, brother Baylor. Standing, from left: former GHS boys basketball coach Ryan Barkley, current GHS boys basketball coach Tommy Stanley. Glencoe’s Hancock signs with BSC
By Chris McCarthy/ Publisher/Editor
Austin Hancock is taking his cage skills to the Magic City.
On Monday (May 13), the Glencoe High senior guard signed a letter-of-intent to play for Birmingham Southern College.
Hancock, who also lettered in football and track, last season helped the Yellow Jacket basketball team post a 19-11 record and make it to the substate round of
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Pictured, front row, from left: Sarah Slater Hicks, Lauren Brewer, Kinsleigh Hamrick, Kendall Lindsey, Abagale Vingers, Cayia Wright, Ansley Hicks, Ashlyn Strahan, Tori Wallace. Back row, from left: coach Craig Smith, Alexis Beard, Landry Stephens, Madison Smith, Presley Johnson, Katie Smith, Mattie Castor, Rene Shipman, Mary Kinley Hill, Hannah Murphy, coach Kerry Smith. U13 Fusion girls win state title
The Gadsden-area U13 00 Premier Lady Fusion girls soccer team won the Alabama State Championship on May 11 in Decatur. The team went undefeated in the tournament in two weekends of competition, posting victories over the Decatur Raptors, 3-1; Trussville, 4-0; the Lady Ambassadors Gold, 3-0; USC 00, 2-0; and Vestavia Attack 00 White, 2-1 in overtime. The Lady Fusion will
Head coach Angie Sanders will lead the Southside High softball team in the Class 5A state tournament this week in Montgomery. Lady Panthers primed for state tournament
By Gene Stanley/Sports Correspondent
Making the Elite Eight means two things - the eight softball teams that have fought their way through a couple of playoff rounds are truly elite, and any of the eight has a good chance to win a state championship.
Making it this far is tough enough that the last time Southside High made it,
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Kameron Carter is one of four seniors on the Sardis High softball team Sardis back in Montgomery for second time in three years
By Gene Stanley/Sports Correspondent
Two years ago, Sardis High went to the state softball tournament for the first time in school history.
Now, the Lions back in Montgomery.
“Everyone is very excited,” coach Mary Beth Gilliland said. “Especially the seniors, who know this is their last chance to play together and last chance to do something big for the
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Kyle Leonard and the Westbrook Christian baseball team takes on G.W. Long for the Class 2A state title beginning tomorrow (May 16) in Montgomery. Warriors set to take on G.W. Long in 2A championship series
Class 2A championship series
No. 4 G.W. Long (30-8) vs. No. 6 Westbrook Christian (25-13)
Thursday 4 p.m.; Friday 10 a.m.; 1 p.m., if necessary
By Gene Stanley/Correspondent
Knock, knock, knocking on Heaven's door.
How many times must a team knock before opening the proverbial door? For Westbrook Christian's baseball team, the brass ring is finally in sight.
After
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Westbrook Christian’s Matthew Reaves connects for one of his two three-run home runs during the Warriors’ sweep over Randolph County in the Class 2A state baseball semifinals on May 10 in Rainbow City. Better late than never for Westbrook’s longball explosion
By Matthew Martin/Sports Correspondent
Westbrook Christian had been in this spot before several times over the last five years.
A month into the Alabama High School Athletic Association state baseball playoffs, the Warriors were one of the last teams left standing.
It was a familiar position, one Matt Kennedy's squad knew all too well, as the Westbrook coach had
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Westbrook Christian’s Mikhail Cazenave delivers a pitch during the Warriors’ sweep over Randolph County in the Class 2A state baseball semifinals on May 10 in Rainbow City.Westbrook hammers Randolph County, will play for state title
By Matthew Martin/Sports Correspondent
After coming so close the last four seasons, the Westbrook Christian baseball team will finally get to play in the state championship series.
No. 6 Westbrook embarrassed No. 2 Randolph County, 19-0 and 15-1, in the Class 2A state semifinals last Friday (May 10) to advance to the Class 2A state title series in Montgomery.
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Head coach Angie Sanders will lead the Southside High softball team in the Class 5A state tournament this week in Montgomery. Southside, Sardis qualify for state softball tournament; Glencoe, Gaston fall in regionals
Southside High will compete in the Class 5A state tournament this week after finishing runner-up at the North Regional Tournament last weekend in Huntsville.
The Lady Panthers begin the state tournament with a game against Saraland on Friday in Montgomery.
Southside opened the regional tournament on May 10 with a 9-4 win over Arab, then defeated Cullman, 5-1, on
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By Cole FrederickIn & around SEC baseball
Week 8 review
Auburn
The Tigers won a pivotal series over SEC West foe Ole Miss last weekend. After losing the first game of the series, Auburn rallied and won the next two games. The Tigers have 18 come-from-behind victories this season. Auburn improved to 28-19 overall and 9-15 in conference play. Head coach John Pawlowski’s team travels to Gainesville this weekend
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The Gadsden-area U-12 Fusion 01 Black soccer team won the Alabama Youth Soccer Association state championship on May 4 in Decatur. Pictured, sitting, from left: Mattison Brewster, Lili Brandon, Hallie-Kate Smith, Makenna Beard, Avery Bane, Anna Motley, Savanna Knighten. Standing, from left: head coach Bruce Williams, Ashley Morgan, Lauryn Williams, Grace McClellan, Savanna Blackwell, Makayla Moore assistant coach Mike McClellan. Local soccer squad wins state
The Gadsden-area Lady Fusion U-12 01 Black soccer team won the Alabama Youth Soccer Association state championship last weekend in Decatur.
In the championship game against Birmingham Legends, the Lady Fusion took a 2-0 lead into halftime. The Lady Fusion then scored early the second half to go up 3-0. After surrendering a goal midway through the second half, the Lady
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Glencoe High sophomore Thomas Ozmint won the gold medal in the 300-meter hurdles event at the recent Class 3A boys state track and field meet.Area athletes medal at state meet
Several local student-athletes turned in medal-winning performances on May 3-4 at the Alabama High School Athletic Association’s Class 1A-2A-3A state track and field meets at Selma and the Class 4A-5A-6A state meets in Gulf Shores.
Glencoe sophomore Thomas Ozmint won the area’s lone first-place medal with his time of 43.10 seconds in the 300-meter hurdles event in the Class 3A
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Etowah senior Darius Bush recently signed a basketball scholarship with Gadsden State. Etowah’s Bush signs with Cardinals
By Gene Stanley/Sports Correspondent
Darius Bush possesses some really good assets, assets that have combined to hand the Etowah High senior a basketball scholarship at Gadsden State Community College.
Bush was in one of those quandaries that college coaches hate. GSCC men’s basketball coach Todd Ginn wanted to sign Bush but wasn’t sure if he had the room available.
That
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The Southside Athletic Foundation recently inducted five members into the Southside Hall of Fame. Pictured, from left: Southside Athletic Foundation Nominating Committee member Jimmy Owens, inductee Tom Griffith, inductee Dexter Wood, inductee Brett Boner, Southside Athletic Foundation Board member Stace Beecham.Five new members inducted into Southside Wall of Fame
By Donna Thornton/News Editor
Members of the Southside Athletic Foundation gathered May 5 to add names to Southside High School’s Wall of Fame with the induction of five new members into the SHS Hall of Fame.
In doing so, the hall of fame added more than names and statistics. Southside High athletic director and head football coach Marty Smith said when he
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Westbrook Christian’s Jake Kilgo delivers a pitch during the Warriors’ 6-1 win over Ranburne in the Class 2A state baseball quarterfinals on Tuesday (May 7) in Rainbow City. Warriors dispatch Ranburne, will host Class 2A semifinal
By Matthew Martin/Sports Correspondent
Westbrook Christian's bats seemed to match the weather in its Class 2A quarterfinal baseball series against Ranburne.
On Friday, with cool air and plenty of rain, the Warriors failed to match the Bulldogs at the plate in Game 1, losing 8-3. Westbrook took a 5-0 lead in the second game before the heavy rain causing
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Southside High’s Alex Pondick delivers a pitch during the Panthers’ 4-0 loss to Pinson Valley in Game 1 of the Class 5A best-of-3 state quarterfinal series on May 3 in Pinson.Panthers come up just short in 5A state quarterfinals
By Mike Goodson/Sports Correspondent
The Southside High baseball team’s run at a possible Class 5A state championship came to an abrupt end on Saturday (May 4) at the hands of the Pinson Valley in the state quarterfinals.
In the deciding Game 3 of the best-of-3 series, the host Indians diffused a Panther rally in the top of seventh
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Southside’s Savannah Thomas slides under the tag of Fort Payne third baseman Ashlynn Holland during the Lady Panthers’ 12-3 win the Class 5A, Area 13 softball tournament championship game on Thursday at SHS. Lady Panthers defeat Fort Payne for area tournament title
By Mike Goodson/Sports Corrrespondent
Southside used a stellar pitching performance by Claire Graves to hold Fort Payne in a 12-3 victory on Thursday in the championship game of the Class 5A, Area 13 softball tournament at SHS.
Both the Lady Panthers and Lady Wildcats will participate in the Class 5A North Regional Tournament next weekend in Huntsville.
Graves held
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No. 10 Ranburne (20-6) at
No. 6 Westbrook (21-12)
Today 4:30, Saturday 1 p.m.
By Gene Stanley/Sports Correspondent
If there were still any doubters, last week’s second-round series sweep against No. 1-ranked Section proved that Westbrook Christian High’s baseball team belongs to be mentioned in the same breath in conversations about title contenders in Class 2A.
“We just went out and played baseball,” Warriors
Warriors host Ranburne in 2A state quarterfinals
No. 10 Ranburne (20-6) at No. 6 Westbrook (21-12)
Today 4:30, Saturday 1 p.m.
By Gene Stanley/Sports Correspondent
If there were still any doubters, last week’s second-round series sweep against No. 1-ranked Section proved that Westbrook Christian High’s baseball team belongs to be mentioned in the same breath in conversations about title contenders in Class 2A.
“We just went out
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For the second year, Patrick Lister and the Southside Panthers face Pinson Valley in the Class 5A state baseball quarterfinals. Panthers visit Pinson Valley
Class 5A quarterfinals
Southside (28-11) at Pinson Valley (30-11)
Today, 5 p.m.; Saturday 2 p.m. if needed
By Gene Stanley/Sports Correspondent
The backbone of Southside High’s baseball team came to the forefront in last weekend’s Class 5A second-round playoff victory over Etowah.
“I feel really good about my pitching staff,” said Southside coach Blake Bone. “I would put it up
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