Players and coaches at Auburn High School had a sour taste in their mouth after the way they lost the West 1A regional baseball title two weeks ago, and Saturday they were determined to rewrite the history books.
Auburn would win their first state championship in baseball with 6-0 decision over Stonewall Jackson.
Eastside, who was knocked out of the semi-finals, slipped the regional title out of Auburn’s hands after an almost two hour delay because of weather. So, this weekend’s championship game was just a little sweeter.
Auburn had hoped to face Eastside for the second time and gain some revenge, but the West champs would fall to Stonewall Jackson in the semis.
The Eagles tallied 11 hits on Saturday with Adam Quesenberry going three of four at the plate, and Hunter Perkins poking a solo shot over the outfield fence.
Perkins would finish the day two of three, and Quesenberry had two RBis.
Meanwhile Dylan Akers pitched a gem from the mound for Auburn, only allowing two hits in seven innings of work.
Head Coach Eric Altizer said there were so many emotions going through his head after the win. “It was a great game and incredible season,” he said.
Auburn topped Windsor 5-1 on Friday at Pulaski’s Calfee Park to reach the finals. Windsor had reached last year’s state 1A championship game, but Auburn slammed the door on any of those ideas this go-around.
Windsor pitcher Hunter Williams, who is a Radford University signee, could not handle the Eagles giving up five earned runs while walking eight batters and striking out six.
Keith Reed pitched six innings for the Eagles giving up one unearned run on five hits. He struck out eight batters and walked three in route to picking up the win.
Reed and Akers finished the year with 10 wins each, and Coach Altizer praised both for a heck of a year. “Pitching and defense was really big for us this year. We had 12 shutouts, and both Reed and Akers did great. It’s hard to get 20 wins as a team and to have two pitchers with 10 wins might be something for the state record books,” he said.
Auburn finishes the season 24-2.
