Great 8th championship
Members of the 2013 senior class pose with the State Championship Trophy during the trophy presentation after the Tigers swept Spanish Fort. They are, from left, (front) Chris Brown, Jordan Guyse, Blake Slayton, Tyler Phillips, Colton Ord, AJ Owens, (back) Jake Whitt, Griffen Steelman, Jackson Smith, Tillman Landers, Deacon Aldridge, Zane Hamlett, Easton Chenault and Aaron Lamb. | Brent Maze
Hartselle High School is the top team again in Class 5A baseball. The Tigers won their eighth championship in school history and their first since 2009.
In Game 1, Hartselle used a 2-for-3, 3 RBI performance from Tyler Phillips and complete game from Jackson Smith to defeat Spanish Fort 8-2 in Game 1 of the Class 5A Championship Series at Paterson Field.
Phillips got a hit down the first base line to score two runs, capping a five-run, third inning. He also added an insurance run by smashing a home run to left field in the fifth inning.
Smith did his part on the mount. He scattered six hits with no walks and two strikeouts. Both of the runs he allowed were unearned. Smith said he relied a lot on the fastball while mixing in the change-up and two-seamer.
In the second game, Finals MVP Brett Blackwood had an 0-2 base hit to give Hartselle the 3-2 win. Brady Wallace got the win on the mound.
Chris Brown also had a 3-for-4 performance. He is a big reason why Hartselle was able to rally from a 2-0 deficit. He got a big hit in the top of the sixth inning to put runners at the corners. Blackwood was able to score from third on a wild pitch.
Tanner Oakes, Brown’s runner, came home on another 0-2 base hit, this time from senior designated hitter Blake Slayton.
The Tigers finished the season 44-15 and set numerous records during the season. Blackwood finished with 103 hits for the season, shattering the previous record of 92. He also broke the school record with 78 RBI and is near the top for doubles in a season. He also finished with 18 home runs on the year.
