Auburn High School Claims 6A Title with 13-3 Win

May 15, 2009

The Auburn High School Tigers won an impressive victory over Oxford High School to claim the Alabama 6A State Championship. Coach Matt Cimo relied on a soft lefty to keep the Yellow Jacket bats quiet in Game 2 and it worked to perfection. Junior southpaw Andrew Eiland kept Oxford off stride for six innings until his teammates could put it away with their bats. The lefty's fastball would frustrate the Yellow Jacket hitters all day.

Eiland got plenty of help from his teammates at the plate. The Tigers were led by a couple of impressive sophomores - Tanner Cimo and Grant Massey. The two hit every ball hard and found themselves on base most of the afternoon.

The Tigers got out of the gate quickly with four runs in the bottom of the first inning. They would add one in the third, three in the fifth and put the game away in a ten run rule with five runs in the bottom of the fifth. All that remained as the dogpile at home plate.

Mike Good's Cardiac Kids

May 15, 2009

Wow! They have done it all year, but it doesn't help the heart rate of their coaching staff. Mike Good's cardiac kids captured the Alabama 3A State Crown today, but it wasn't easy. It began last night while trailing the Trinity Wildcats 2-6 in the top of the seventh inning. The Madison Academy Mustangs won in their cardiac fashion 7-6 to leave a stunned Trinity crowd wondering what had just happened.

Game 2 started as though the Mustangs would walk away with it and even had a chance to run rule the Trinity High School team with a run in the fourth inning, but came up a little short at 8-1. The Wildcats would not go without a fight and with the aid of a few walks in the top of the sixth inning came roaring back to tie the score at 8-8. Ben Seabrook (MVP) relieved starting pitcher Drew Mobley, who had been dominant until the sixth when he got into trouble with walks, in the sixth inning and shut the Wildcats down in the top of the seventh. The stage was set for another come dramatic finish. With one out and runners at second and third the a SAC fly into right field was all it took to seal the deal and a season the Mustangs won't soon forget.

American Christian Academy Wins 2A Crown
May 14, 2009


Coach Matt Moore's American Christian Patriots came away with an impressive sweep of Lexington High School today. The Patriots threw up 11 runs in five innings to walk away with the coveted "blue trophy". They were led by an impressive sophomore pitcher - Dillon Williams. Williams dominated the Lexington hitters in closing out yesterday's Game 1 and then again in Game 2. His 80-82mph fastball and 62-64mph slurve was just too much for the Lexington hitters. Williams worked both games off spotting his fastball to both sides of the plate, while using his slurve as an out pitch.


Two other young Patriots caught our eye during the series - sophomore Eric Hall (OF) and freshman Landon Fancher (RHP). Both are quality prospects and players to watch closely the next two years to see how they develop. Hall hit in the lead off spot for ACA in both games and showed good pitch selection, while controlling the bat well. He also showed nice speed that translates well in the field and at the plate. Fancher pitched in Game 1 and showed nice mound presence, while locating a 78-80mph fastball. He has a nice pitchers frame and shows some projection in his frame.


Congratulations to the Patriots!

Hartselle at 50-9 Wins Their Seventh State Title
May 14, 2009

With the series now even at 1-1 Hartselle Skipper William Booth went again with a seasoned veteran on the mound in Garrett Turrentine. The large right hander has mastered a change that can buckle the knees. Add an 81-84mph fastball to the mix and 68mph curve ball and he can dominate a team. The big boy did exactly that as the Tigers cruised into their seventh state championship and extended their single season win record to 50 wins.
Briarwood tried to match Turrentine with sophomore Logan Crook. The young sophomore can run his fastball up to 84-85mph, but struggled with his command in this outing and the Hartselle lineup quickly struck for a lead in the top of the second inning that they would never relinquish. Luke Bole sealed the deal with his 20th home run this season to plate 3 more RBI and a 4-0 Hartselle lead.

Coach Lee Hall and the Briarwood Patriots have a lot to be proud of this season. The team never rolled over and made a run in the bottom of the seventh that put the outcome in question for awhile. They were one of two teams to make it to Montgomery in the 5A classification. Few expected them to be here, but they proved they deserved to be here and with the young talent we saw on the field expect to see them back before long.

The Hartselle win brought William Booth's all-time winning record up to 775 wins!

Hartselle Calls on Their G-Man
May 14, 2009

With their back against the wall Hartselle High School's skipper William Booth went to a familiar face their G-Man - Chad Girodo. He knew the Mississippi State signee had what it took to even the Alabama 5A State Championship at 1-1 against an impressive Briarwood Christian High. It was the logical move. Girodo had been tested for three years and can elevate his game. Booth was right. Girodo's bulldog mound presence and competitive spirit is impressive to watch. He can carry a game on his arm and did so in Game 2 today at Riverwalk Stadium in Montgomery.

The Tigers got out of the track fast scoring one in the top of the first and three more in the top of the second to hold a 4-0 lead at the end of two complete innings. It's all Girodo would need. Briarwood would strike for one in the bottom of the fourth and fifth innings to narrow the Tiger lead to 5-2. Hartselle would strike for two more in the sixth and one in the seventh, before Briarwood threatened with one more in the bottom of the seventh inning to close out the score at 8-3. The Hartselle victory even the series at 1-1 with the championship game to follow. With the win Hartselle High School set a new single season win record at 49 wins.

Report From State Championship Games

Brantley Wins Thriller in Bottom of the Eighth to Capture 1A Title

May 14, 2009

Both of these teams represented their schools and areas well. Both games were close and thrillers. The game at Riverwalk today was highlighted by several highlight reel defensive plays by both teams and come from behind offensive displays. The games was tied 7-7 after seven complete. ABS took the lead off a home run by senior Conner Brown, but it was short lived as Brantley won later in the bottom of the eight to win this year's 1A State Championship.

Both starting pitchers pitched well. ABS starter Jesse Gibson worked out of several jams early and was aided by several nice defensive plays that saved runs. Branley's starter Jerry Walker also pitched well. We also see what the Auburn football staff see's in Brantley's Anthony Gulley. He is quite an athlete and should do well catching footballs for the Tigers in the next few years.

Haleyville Wins 4A Title

May 14, 2009

It took three games, but Haleyville avenged their second place finish last year to win the Alabama 4A Title. I was unable to watch the two games today, but yesterday's game was another thriller. Several promising young players caught our eyes. Thomasville's James Williams (Jr.) pitched well and ran his fast ball up to 82mph with a nice 62mph slider that was very effective against a good hitting Haleyville team.

Haley's starting pitcher Ryan Forester was a warrior. He kept the Thomasville team off balance most of the afternoon. His fastball sat upper 70's and low 80's and he spotted it well to both sides of the plate. He is a bulldog on the hill.

American Christian Takes Game One in 2A Opener

May 14, 2009

American Christian won a hard fought 4-3 opener against a gritty Lexington team. ACA's starter freshman Landon Fauncher pitched well through five innings, but got into some trouble in the sixth. Dillon Williams (soph.) woked ACA out of the jam and closed things out in the seventh inning. Several of ACA's young players caught our eyes including Fauncher and Williams. Shortstop Andy Cooke (Soph.) and outfielder Eric Hall (Soph.) both played well. Reports will be forthcoming on several of these young men.

Bracewell Wins Bulldogs Fight Against Future Teammate Bole

May 14, 2009

Ben Bracewell may well have pitched his best game of the year last night against Hartselle Tigers as he came away with a tough 2-1 win. He held a very good hitting team to only three hits and one earned run. But his future teammate at Mississippi State Luke Bole pitched a one hitter and lost! Both young men should be proud of their performances. They threw well as expected and the 1500-2000 fans enjoyed every pitch.

Briarwood earned their two runs by playing small ball. The Patriots would strike first in the first inning plating one run. They would add another in the fourth inning on a throwing error to third base by Hartselle's catcher. It's all Bracewell would need, but it wasn't without suspense. Hartselle pushed the hard throwing righty in the bottom of the seventh and scored one run, while leaving two on base at the end of the game.

Briarwood definitely won the winners seat, but still have an uphill battle against a strong Hartselle pitching staff. They will have to beat their second Mississippi State LHP in game two tomorrow in Chad Girodo. If Hartselle comes away win a win in game two General Booth has two more righties waiting their chance in Garrett Turrentine and Josh Doyle (Pensacola JC).

Playoffs Heating Up!

As we reach week three of the playoffs things are heating up. The 6A north has been a war zone this year and Grissom seems to have the upper hand for the moment. The Coach Adam Moseley and Tigers have had an uphill battle though in beating a tough Sparkman team in week one and then last inning heroics over Austin this past week. Sparkman was a challenge for them, but lacked the pitching depth to overcome Grissom's hitting. Austin had the pitching and hitting, but just came up short giving up two last inning home runs to lose to the Tigers in heart breakers. Grissom will have their hands full with Oxford this weekend. Oxford brings in two power pitchers in Trey Pilkington (Alabama signee) and freshman Tucker Simpson. Both have upper 80's velocity and can pitch. They should match up well with Grissom's Dillon Ortman, Jonathan Black and Kyle Jeter (UAH). Grissom has an edge in pitching depth with Grant Bush and Alex Luna out of the pen, but at this stage its any body's game and which team wants it the most. One thing is for sure it will be a wild day at Grissom High School this Friday afternoon when these two meet again.

The central 6A race has been almost as exciting and Rick Davis has his defending state champion Hoover Bucs peaking at the right time again. The Bucs had impressive series against a tough Hillcrest team this past weekend, but dominated the series final on Saturday. Their pitching has been enough to get wins behind Robby Lilly (Jacksonville State), Steven Glasgow (Shelton State) and Dylan Breeding. But Hoover's strength lies in their bats. Their offense is clicking right now led by Sam Frost (Mississippi State), junior Tyler Mims, sophomore Josh Magee and Steven Glasgow (Shelton State). The Bucs problem lies just across town in their old foe Vestavia Hills. The Rebels likewise are playing their best ball of the season and they are playing at home. If the Rebels can pitch well enough to keep the Bucs bats in check they have a chance, otherwise the Bucs could sweep them in two and wait to see who they will face the following week (Oxford or Grissom). Again, it will be the team who wants it the most and when cross town rivals are involved it is always exciting.

The team in the south to watch is Fairhope High School. The Pirate's skipper, Stuart Fuller, has a young but powerful team with power arms, strong defense and an offense that can throw up numbers in a hurry. Their foes have to be concerned about the big inning. On the hill the Pirates are lead by junior right hander Daryl Norris. Norris has a power arm and a fastball that reaches 92mph at times, but sits comfortably at 87-88mph. He compliments it well with a nice change and slider. When he is on he can dominate. Behind Norris comes sophomore Evan East, sophomore Peyton Fuller, Junior Corey Staab and junior Ashton Johnson. Offensively the Pirates can explode behind juniors Daryl Norris and Garrett Pitts; as well as sophomores Evan East and Wes Kent; freshman Jordan Ebert and seniors Dusty Baker and Adam Williams. Their next obstacle lies in a strong Mary Montgomery team who always plays the Pirates tough. There is still a lot to settle in the south end of the state in 6A. Auburn/Prattville and Mary Montgomery will not give in to the Pirates for sure, but in our opinion the south is Fairhope's to lose. They will determine their own destiny by the way they play between the lines each game.

The 5A state championship is likely to once again come through the north, but just who that representative will be is yet to be determined. If you aren't doing anything Friday afternoon and can drive to Hartselle, you should. It might be the best playoff experience in the southeast. I know that is saying a lot, but once there you will know what I mean. Many schools would dearly love to get 500 fans in their stands at this time of year. Hartselle will have over a thousand there Friday night. All of the fence area will be surrounded several layers deep and the seats will be packed. You better get there early if you want a seat. The Tiger Nation comes into the playoffs strong and Coach William Booth always has his team playing with a confident swagger. What makes this weekend's series so special is that it is against an old foe - Southside Gadsden. Who can forget the wars between these two foes in 1999, 2000 and 2001? The 1999 series may be the best high school baseball games I have ever watched (and I've seen a bunch!). This year's series will likely live up to them. Second year Southside Head Coach Blake Bone has Southside fans and players thinking championship again. To get there will be a tough road. His first step comes Friday afternoon against Hartselle. Southside is young, but talented. They do the things required to win and rarely beat themselves, because they are fundamentally sound. Hartselle has the advantage in this one with eight starting seniors who have been down the playoff road before and even more importantly is they are playing at home. The Tiger Nation can be very rowdy and can easily intimidate the unprepared. Another factor is Hartselle can hit and score runs, which makes them a difficult win because they have a lot of depth on the mound with two good southpaws Luke Bole (Mississippi State) and Chad Girodo (Mississippi State) that likely will start the first two games. There pitching depth is found in senior Garrett Turrentine, Josh Doyle (Pensacola JC) and five other underclassmen waiting patiently for their day on the mound. Many of Alabama's high school coaches will be glad to see this crop of pitchers moving on into college next year. But then there is Luke Bole and Ryan Joy to contend with at the plate who have combined for 30 home runs already this season. Southside has their work cut out for them.

If Southside can pull the upset in Hartselle things don't get any easier the following week. They will face the winner of the Cullman/McAdory season. Believe me the Bearcats have not lost a step with new Head Coach Brent Patterson. Last week's hitting display against Pleasant Grove was impressive. They score runs and a lot of them. Put senior southpaw Drew Bryson (Calhoun), or senior righty Austin Golden (Northwest Shoals) or junior right hander Chase Mallard, or sophomore righty Daniel Moore on the mound and opponents scoring becomes a problem. One thing it is difficult to do as an opponent of Cullman is to keep them from scoring runs. Behind the bats of sophomore Ben Moore, sophomore Matthew Britton, senior Kyle Haga (Calhoun), senior Chase Mathis (Wallace State), senior Drew Bryson (Calhoun), senior Austin Golden and junior Chase Mallard they are a threat to throw up big numbers on the scoreboard quickly.

While the 5A north is strong you can't rule the south out yet. St. Pauls has shown they can play and Charles Henderson has some quality players from last year's team that made it to the finals. Briarwood Christian is young, but talented and well coached. We hope to be at the Friday series against Beauregard who has played well this season. More to come on them later.

More later on 1A through 4A.