Gordo falls short as Houston Academy grabs pair of one-run victories in 3A championship
After winning a thrilling Game 1 in the 3A state championship series, Gordo needed just one win in two games Thursday to claim the title but Houston Academy was seemingly destined to come out on top.
The Raiders came from behind twice in Game 2 and again in Game 3, finishing off the series with a pair of 4-3 victories Thursday to secure the state championship in the best-of-three series. Gordo finishes its season with a 33-7 record.
SCHEDULE AND RESULTS: AHSAA baseball championship series
Gordo won Game 1 behind a stellar pitching performance from Will Whitley. He struck out three and allowed just one run on six hits across seven innings to help his team secure a 2-1 victory. The Greenwave got RBI hits from Baylee Price and Brady Jones for the only run support Whitley needed to grab the win.
Game 2 provided fans with another pitching duel as the two teams were locked at one run apiece through seven frames, forcing extra innings to decide the game. Gordo scored two runs in the top of the eighth with RBI singles from Brax Garrison and Caleb Jennings. However, Houston Academy had a response.
With Gordo's starter still on the mound for extra innings, the Raiders put together three hits around a pair of errors from Gordo's defense. The rally tied the game and eventually loaded the bases with no outs. The game-winning run eventually came in to score when Wyatt Shelley was hit by a pitch.
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In Game 3, Gordo once again found itself with a lead after scoring a pair of runs in the first inning. The Greenwave took the lead again in the bottom of the fourth when Aaron Baines drove in Garrison. But Houston Academy had yet another answer.
The Raiders tied the game in the fifth inning and rallied again in the sixth, putting two runners on base with two outs and forcing Gordo to make a pitching change. However, the move backfired as Gordo's relief pitcher threw just two pitches, hitting batters with both of them and forcing the go-ahead run to score.
Gordo only sent six hitters to the plate in the final two innings, ending the team's chances at the state title.
Houston Academy (28-8) claimed its first baseball state title since 2014. After the game, coach Tony Kirkland announced his retirement from coaching.