First Baptist captures SCISA baseball crown

  • By HENRY BRIGHT
    Special to The Post and Courier
  • Posted: Saturday, May 16, 2009 12:01 a.m.
    UPDATED: Monday, March 19, 2012 7:45 a.m.
  • Text size: A A A

D.J. Rhodes took over the First Baptist baseball program four years ago with eight freshmen on his first team.

Four years later, those eight — now seniors — helped the Hurricanes (25-7) capture the school's first baseball state title.

Senior Drew Rhodes came through with an RBI single in the bottom of the 10th inning to give First Baptist a 4-3 win over Calhoun Academy and the state championship in the second game of the SCISA AA State Championship series at Northwood Academy on Friday.

"We got it done before they (eight seniors) graduated," said coach Rhodes, whose little brother by 10 years came through with the game- winning hit. "He's (Drew Rhodes) been clutch for us all season."

The game was suspended Wednesday night with the game tied at 3 after nine innings because First Baptist's baseball facility didn't have lights.

"We really didn't know what to expect coming into Friday's game," coach Rhodes said. "We knew we were in a good situation with our 5, 6 and 7 seven hitters coming up to bat, and we were confident in them."

Drew Rhodes had a flair for the dramatic in this series. He had a solo homer and the game-winning hit in the Hurricanes' first win over Calhoun Academy.

"It was unbelievable," said Drew Rhodes. "It was a dream come true. I didn't think it would happen again, and it did."

Senior pitcher Ryan Walker came on in relief in the seventh inning with the game tied. Walker (6-2) pitched three scoreless innings Wednesday night and pitched a scoreless 10th to earn the win, giving him both victories in the series.

Senior Brandon Stone reached on a single in the 10th. Robby Kicklighter came on to pinch-run for Stone.

Kicklighter stole second with Drew Rhodes at the plate to set up the game-winning run.

Matt Burton, a sophomore, almost ended the game before Rhodes could bat. Burton hit a deep fly ball to right field that Calhoun's Jimmy Reed caught in front of the fence.

Andrew Robinson took the loss for Calhoun Academy. Brandon Love had two RBIs.

FIRST BAPTIST 4, CALHOUN ACADEMY 3

WP—Waker. LP—Robinson.