ABS still 'winners' as championship quest ends

By Ashley Hargrove

MONTGOMERY — Nothing was going to keep Athens Bible's baseball team down Wednesday. Not even a game one loss to Brantley in the Class 1A championship series the previous day.

The Trojans proved that as they came out swinging early against the Bulldogs in game two at Riverwalk Stadium. But Brantley quickly responded, turning the game into a hard fought battle — a battle that would eventually end with the Bulldogs being crowned the Class 1A state champions with a 9-8 eight-inning win, and cut short the Trojans’ quest for a second consecutive title.

"These guys may not have been winners on the scoreboard, but they are winners in the hearts of their fans and coaches," Athens Bible head coach Bill Murrell said. "While they're disappointed in the final result of the game, they can rest easy knowing they played their hardest while giving their best shot."

Athens Bible opened the scoring with a run early in the first inning on a double by Jacob Hagewood, scoring Will Chumbley and Connor Brown. A base hit by Jonathan Winland scored Brett Westbrook, who reached base after being hit by a pitch, and ABS took a 3-0 lead.

Brantley scored their first run of the game in the bottom of the first on a base hit by Reed Kilcrease. Chris Walker tied the score at three with a single, scoring Chase Hill and Jared Hall. The Bulldogs took a 4-3 lead in the bottom of the fifth after a throwing error by the Trojans. After reaching base on a single, Jared Hall scored on a passed ball to go up 5-3. Brantley scored twice more in the inning for a 7-3 lead.

Tyler Sherrod got things going for Athens Bible in the top of the sixth on a base hit. A.J. Price followed with a single. A double by Jordan Pugh scored Sherrod narrowing the lead to three. Brown doubled to score Price and Jordan Brewer who pinch ran for Pugh. Chumbley, who reached base on a walk, scored the tying run on a sacrifice fly to center.

After a scoreless seventh inning, the Trojans took the lead in the eighth on a double by Westbrook that scored Chumbley who had reached base on a single. Brantley tied the score at eight in the bottom of the inning on a base hit by Jared Hall. Chase Hall then scored the game-winning run on a base hit by Matthew Holmes.

"We ran up against a very well-coached team that deserved a state championship," Murrell said.

According to Brantley head coach Ashley Kilcrease, Wednesday's come from behind win wasn't their first of the season.

"We've done that all year," Kilcrease said. "That's kind of our team. We've had 12 or 13 come from behind wins this season. I never quit believing in them. I'm just so proud of them. Athens Bible has a class program. They were very tough and wouldn't quit. I thought it was two great teams competing today. You hate someone had to lose."

Wednesday's game closed the career of six seniors on Athens Bible's team — a group that has been a part of many playoff series for the Trojans since beginning their freshman season and, for some, their eighth-grade year.

"It's hard to let this group go because so many of them have been a part of this program for so many years," Murrell said.

Pugh added, "It's a disappointing way to end the season, but I'm proud of the year we had. I'm proud to have gotten to play for coach Murrell and the guys sitting beside me (Westbrook and Brown)."

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