Sumiton Christian Wins 2A State Championship

repost from The Daily Mountain Eagle

MONTGOMERY — Sumiton Christian has a flair for dramatics.

And the rest of Class 2A found that out the hard way on Saturday.

The Sumiton Christian Eagles would not be denied a second AHSAA State Championship at Lagoon Park.

In three separate games in the tournament, the Eagles faced a deficit going into the final inning and each time emerged victorious — including Sumiton Christian's 8-7 Class 2A title win over the No. 5 Ider Hornets in the championship game.

The win marked Sumiton Christian coach Jessica Aderholt's second title for her program following the 2010 Class 3A championship season.

"It means so much to win the championship. The past few years we've come down here to Montgomery and have come up short. To finally be able to take another trophy home is incredible," Aderholt said. "This year, these girls would never give up. What they were able to do with the comebacks in the last three games showed their character and their drive to achieve their goals. I couldn't be more proud of them and what they've accomplished."

Jenna Ergle was named as the Tournament's MVP — with All-Tournament honors going to teammates Kendall Beth Sides, Kendell Hamm and Holly Murray.

"It's so unbelievable to win a championship. We set our minds to accomplish our goals and we saw it through to the end. I couldn't be more proud of my team," Ergle said. "We fought through the rain and being behind on the scoreboard, for us to win the title is the perfect way to end this season."

Ergle earned the victory in the circle, giving up four walks and five earned runs, while striking out seven batters in seven innings.

At the plate, Ergle was 2 for 3 with a run scored, two RBIs and a double, Sides went 2 for 4 with a run scored and a double, Savannah Langston went 2 for 4 with two runs scored and Murray was 1 for 3 with a double and two RBIs.

The Eagles found themselves behind 6-2 entering the bottom of the fifth inning before the rally began.

Sumiton Christian scored four runs in the fifth to tie the game at 6-6.

The Hornets added a run at the top of the sixth inning to regain the lead, 7-6.

In the bottom of the seventh inning, Abbey Bice drove in Kirsten Click and Abbie Brewster for the 8-7 win and the program's second title.   

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No. 1 Sumiton Christian 6, No. 5 Ider 5 (8 innings)

The Eagles clinched a spot in the Class 2A State Championship game with a 6-5 victory over the Ider Hornets in eight innings.

Sumiton Christian held off a three-run surge at the top of the seventh inning to tie the game and force extra innings, but Holly Murray drove in Savannah Langston at the bottom of the eighth to ensure the win.

Ergle got the victory, pitching eight innings with six walks, two earned runs and two strikeouts.

At the plate, Ergle went 3 for 4 with a runs scored, three RBIs and a homerun, Abbie Brewster was 4 for 4 with a run scored and an RBI, Murray went 2 for 4 with a run scored and an RBI and Langston had a hit with two runs scored.