By Justin Graves

Justin@athensnews-courier.com

ATHENS – This summer everything seemed to fall in place for Athens Post 49. The 49ers won the Senior American Legion state championship, finished fourth in the Southeast Regional and compiled a program best 49-9 record.

Athens coach Nathan Brownlow believes the 49-9 record is more than ironic for a team named the 49ers.

“After our last game at the regional in Florida, we were laughing about the 49ers finishing with a 49-9 record,” he said. “It kind of sums up our season, because everything just kind of fell in place for us.”

Everything was going right for Athens, and the 49ers appeared as if they were going to continue carrying that momentum through the regional tournament after claiming two dominating wins in the first two rounds.

But Athens ran out of steam in its third game, after a 10 inning 11-7 loss to regional champion South Carolina Sunday. Athens was eliminated the next day when they lost 7-2 to host Deland, Fla.

“I think the length of the season caught up with us,” Brownlow said. “I really think the loss to South Carolina took a lot out of our guys. They weren’t the same after that.

“The entire team had been on an emotional high for two weeks, and they also had been living on the road for the past two weeks. They all were mentally and physically exhausted.”

Even though Athens didn’t win the regional and advance to the American Legion World Series, their season will be one that is remembered.

Brownlow knew his 49ers had the potential to achieve greatness before the season started, it was just a matter of executing against some of the perennially tough American Legion teams in the state. All of Athens’ hard work paid off, and everything fell into place early for the 49ers.

“Our goal at the beginning of the season was to compete for a state championship, “ Brownlow said. “That’s what all of our players wanted.”

Athens fell into the losers’ bracket early at the state tournament, but used strong pitching and defense along with timely hitting to claim the state title with their backs against the wall.

“I knew we were going to win the state championship at the beginning of the season,” former West Limestone standout Cole Mitchell said. “We weren’t going to be stopped.”

When the 49ers got home, they were rewarded with a steak banquet at the American Legion for their outstanding play at the state tournament. Brownlow said the team would also get state championship rings.

Brownlow believes Athens’ season will carry over not only to next year’s American Legion team, but also to Calhoun.

“All of our kids play at Calhoun, and the ones who played with us this summer will be ahead of the game,” he said. “I think it will also get more kids interested in American Legion baseball next year. We should get a lot of the kids back who went and played travel ball this summer. I think our future is bright.”