Hartselle Tigers clench tenth state title in program history

The Blue Map returns to Hartselle after the Tigers came from behind to defeat Chelsea 9-3 in game three of the AHSAA Class 6A state championship May 15. Hartselle forced a game three after defeating Chelsea 4-3 in the second game. Chelsea won game one by a score of 1-0 in nine innings. 

The championship series win is the Tigers’ tenth state title since 1990. It is the first under head coach Brad Phillips. 

“(I’m) super proud of everyone involved in the program and the work that has been put in for us to accomplish what we have accomplished,” Phillips said. “That was three games of pressure packed baseball, something was on the line every pitch. I thought we settled in after the loss on Wednesday and (were( a more accurate version of ourselves on Thursday.” 

Junior Asher Doepel was named the MVP of the state championship. He pitched in all three games, pitching 8.2 innings. He earned a win and a save after allowing three runs (two earned) on 10 hits while striking out six. At the plate, he finished 6-of-10 with three RBIs and two runs scored. 

“Winning MVP was a great accomplishment, but it doesn’t compare to winning the blue map,” Doepel said. “I have thought about our loss in last year’s championship every day. It has driven me to improve and want to get back and experience the ultimate success with my brothers.” 

Game 3: Hartselle 9, Chelsea 3 

After four innings of scoreless baseball, the Tigers broke through with two runs in the top of the fifth inning. The first run came on a single by Doepel that plated Chris Hutson, who was running for Keaton Lance, who singled to start the inning. While running for Doepel, Sam Gillette scored on a wild pitch to put Hartselle up 2-0. 

Chelsea responded with three runs in the bottom of the sixth to take a 3-2 lead into the final inning. 

The Tigers methodically started the comeback with three walks and a hit batter to tie the game at 3-3 when Doepel was forced home. Two batters later, Braden Weathers walked, the fourth of the inning, to force Easton Nelms home for a 4-3 lead. Back-to-back singles by Hutson and Carter Lee plated three more runs to push the lead to 7-3. Doepel then singled to drive Hutson and Lee home to extend their lead to 9-3. 

Despite allowing two singles in the bottom of the seventh, the Tigers held Chelsea scoreless to get the win. 

Doepel finished 4-of-4 with three RBIs and a run scored to lead the Hartselle offense. He also picked up the win after pitching 6.2 innings, allowing three runs on eight hits while striking out five. 

Hutson had a hit, two RBIs and two runs scored, while Lee had a hit, and RBI and a run scored. 

Game 2: Hartselle 4, Chelsea 3 

Chelsea grabbed a 3-0 lead in the top of the third after two scoreless innings. The Hornets scored all three runs on a bases-loaded double. 

The Tigers responded with four runs to take the lead in the bottom of the third. Hartselle tied the game at 3-3 when Nelms triple drove home Lance, Cain Falciani and Doepel. Cole Miles’ groundout brought home Nelms for the 4-3 lead. 

Tigers’ pitching did the rest as they held Chelsea scoreless for the final four innings. Starting pitcher Connor Stiles got the win after working 6.0 innings. He allowed three runs on four hits while striking out five. Doepel picked up the save after working a scoreless seventh inning. 

Nelms finished with a triple, three RBIs and a run scored to lead Hartselle. Lance and Doepel each had a hit and a run scored. 

Game 1: Chelsea 1, Hartselle 0 

Runs were hard to come by in game one of the championship series. It was the pitching staff aces that dominated the game. Chelsea pulled out the 1-0 win in the bottom of the ninth when a Tigers’ error allowed the winning run to score. 

Chelsea pitcher Aiden Hughes earned the win after nine scoreless innings. He allowed only two hits, a double by Nelms in the first inning and a double by Doepel in the eighth. He struck out 12 Hartselle batters. 

Tigers’ starter, Jace Meadows, was just as dominant as he worked 8.0 innings, allowing one unearned run on seven hits while striking out 11 Hornet batters.