Courtesy of Florence Times-Daily
Etowah was limited to one run and six hits over two games as the Blue Devils were swept by defending state champion Russellville, 3-0 and 5-1, in the Class 5A baseball state quarterfinals last Saturday (May 6).
In game 1, the Golden Tigers (34-9) scored four runs in the top of the seventh to
claim a 5-1 victory. Etowah (29-8) took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the third on Noah
Parrish’s single which scored Logan Steele.
Etowah starter Cade Runyan, meanwhile, shut out Rusellville for five innings.
The Golden Tigers tied it in the top of the sixth when Houston Kitterman scored on a throwing error.
Colin Garrison walked to lead off the seventh and went to second on a balk. Judd Ward followed with a bunt single to put runners at first and third. Greenhill grounded out to shortstop, but Garrison scored on the play to give Russellville the lead. After Ward scored on a wild pitch, Skylar Holland’s fly ball to left field was misplayed and another run scored. Kitterman then singled home two runs to make it 5-1.
In Game 1, Russellville’s Colin Garrison walked to lead off the bottom of the third. One out later, Greenhill hit the first pitch he saw over the fence in left-center field to put the Golden Tigers up 2-0.
Russellville added an unearned run in the fourth. T.B. Scott had a one-out double and later scored on a throwing error to make it 3-0.
Greenhill did not allow a hit after giving up a leadoff double to Steele in the top of the third. A hit batter and a walk brought the tying run to the plate in the top of the seventh with two outs, but Greenhill struck out the final hitter to complete the shutout.