Bill Murrell had come close to a state baseball championship several times in his 35-year head-coaching career before the 2008 season—four to be exact. But each time the Trojans fell short, having to settle for a runner-up trophy. But on May 14, Murrell and his team got what they worked hard for all season long—a state championship.
“I knew entering the season that we had the potential to have an excellent year,” Murrell said. “We had all of our starters returning from the previous year. After they got beat by Hackleburg in the semifinals the year before, they believed they could go one more round. They believed they could accomplish that and they did.”
Down 5-4 in the fifth inning, the Trojans came back, scoring seven runs on five hits to secure an 11-7 win over Providence Christian and give Athens Bible its first Class 1A state baseball title in the program’s history.
“Anyone out there who has ever been on a state championship team will understand what it means to be able to put into words the hard work and dedication it takes to win one,” Murrell said. “It’s something that these guys will be able to remember for awhile.”
The Lady Trojan softball team had success as well.
Just three days after the boys won a Class 1A state baseball title, the girls cruised through the state softball tournament at Lagoon Park winning four consecutive games to claim the Class 1A state softball title.
For the first time since 2006, Athens Bible advanced to the Class 1A state championship game. knocking off top-ranked Millry in the winners bracket.
The Lady Trojans finished the season at 32-18.
“For our school, the excitement of winning both in the same season has to be one of the highlights of these students’ careers,” Murrell said, who also serves as the school athletic director. “They may not realize how special it is until they realize how rare it is. Having a school win a baseball and softball championship in the same season doesn’t happen that often.”
Sports
Related Photos
-
Courtesy Photo
-
Discussion
No. 1: ABS baseball, softball teams return home with 'blue map'
- Sports
-
-
Armstrong says he's happy investigation over
The stress, the waiting, the whispers about whether he doped during his stellar cycling career, all of it ended when — after nearly two years — federal prosecutors closed an investigation of him last week without bringing any charges.
-
South Alabama topples Arkansas State 74-57
Mychal Ammons scored a career-high 25 points to lead South Alabama to a 74-57 win over Arkansas State Thursday night in Sun Belt Conference play.
-
Right at home
-
Sports Ledger Feb. 10, 2012
Sports Ledger is a daily list of upcoming sporting events scheduled throughout Limestone County.
-
Right at home
When East Limestone plays Lee in the Class 5A Area 15 Tournament tonight, the Indians face an uphill task against the No. 2 team in the state. Despite being up against a handful of future college basketball players, East has something Lee does not in Jordan Gandy.
-
Univ. of ND will use Fighting Sioux nickname
The University of North Dakota resumed using its contentious Fighting Sioux nickname Wednesday even though it triggered NCAA sanctions, leaving some fans weary of the seven-year fight over a moniker that critics believe is demeaning.
-
Looking forward...
Soccer season cannot get here fast enough for Ramon Jurado. The Athens junior lost his home during the deadly string of tornadoes that scarred Alabama last April. Like others effected by the storms, Jurado remembers every detail of that ill-fated spring day.
-
Green leads Alabama past Auburn 68-50
AUBURN, Ala. (AP) — Shorthanded Alabama still managed to make a little history against rival Auburn.
JaMychal Green scored 19 points, Trevor Releford added 15 and the Crimson Tide raced to a 68-50 win on Tuesday night.
-
Mayor calls New York City 'Big Blue Apple' for Giants' win
The team was introduced with thunderous applause from the lucky 250 fans who got tickets to a ceremony at City Hall Plaza, where the Giants were honored with symbolic keys to the city.
-
Charge against ex-Alabama CB Kirkpatrick dropped
Kirkpatrick was arrested on Jan. 17 after Palmetto, Fla., police stopped a car driven by another former Alabama player, Chris Rogers, for driving on the wrong side of the road.
- More Sports Headlines
-
Denver's Largest-Ever Drug Bust Nets Dozens
Marines: No Punishment for Nazi-like Flag
Vets Look to Translate Military Skills Into Jobs
Expert: Removing LA School's Staff 'Appropriate'
Raw Video: School Bus Burst Into Flames
LA School Reopens Amid Sex Abuse Scandal
$25B Settlement Reached Over Foreclosure Abuses
Pentagon: Allow Women Closer to Front Lines
Obama Gives Education Waivers to 10 States
Giffords Aide to Run for Her Seat
LA School in Sex Abuse Scandal Reopens
Winter Slamming North Asia, Parts of Europe
Syrian Forces Renew Bombardment of Homs
States, Banks Reach Foreclosure-abuse Settlement
Raw Video: Italy's Mount Etna Bursts Into Life
Greeks March; Angry Despite Debt Deal
Raw Video: U.S. Pullout Celebration
Raw Video: Annual Empire State Building Run-Up
Man Killed in Courthouse Shootout
Air Force Airlines: Leaders Get Polished Service
