The Tigers of King’s Ridge sported a team average over .370 this year; when they needed contact and run manufacturing the most, the defending state champs came through. Sophomore catcher Lawson Hill delivered a one-out sacrifice fly, in the bottom of the ninth, for the walk-off win.

Games 1 and 2 were very entertaining contests, but Game 3, between two of the more dominant 1A baseball programs in the last five years, turned out to be a classic. Runs were scored in a myriad of ways and just about everything you can see on a baseball diamond was showcased.

Hebron started the affair: walk, sacrifice bunt, RBI single. Over the next three innings, both teams had rallies killed as four runners were either: doubled off, picked off at first base, or thrown out at the plate.

Down 1-0, King’s Ridge used a lead-off error, two hits, and a wild pitch where two runners scored, to plate three runs total and claim a 3-1 lead, after four.

The next half inning, the top of the 5^th, the Lions sent all nine men to the plate, delivering four hits and four runs to re-claim a 5-3 lead. Senior third baseman Parker Runnels 2-out, 2-RBI single was the biggest blow in the inning.

Down to their final three outs, and now trailing 5-4, the Tigers scored a quick, game tying run to force extra innings.  Lead-off man Tarez Miller doubled, Austin Peay commit Austin Higginbotham singled and Georgia Tech commit Brandt Stallings delivered the sacrifice fly that saved their season.

Over the two extra innings, Hebron was retired six straight.

Higginbotham started the home half of the ninth with a double, Stallings was intentionally walked and third baseman Adam Moore loaded the bases with a hit.

That set the stage for Hill, who, to the surprise of many, actually led the team in average this year. He smoked a fast ball into right-centerfield and by the time the catch was made, right fielder Austin Jett was about six feet from the wall and had no shot at throwing out the base runner. Penny Hart, pinch running for Miller, scored easily and King’s Ridge had defended their title.

Again, the first two games of the series weren’t shabby either. King’s Ridge undefeated ace, Higginbotham, tossed a complete game shutout in a 2-0, Game 1 win. Hebron scored five runs in the first inning of Game 2 and held on for the 7-5 victory.

One of the umpires who worked the game, and requested to remain nameless, said “this was a really great ballgame. A classic; and possibly on of the best I have ever seen. I had a feeling it would be. It seems like every time we have a rain delay before a winner take all, we get dramatics. Shoot, we even had Bobby Cox out here!”

Of course, the man in blue was referencing the postponement of Game 3 on Monday, after thunderstorms rolled through north Fulton. Former Braves manager Bobby Cox had a grand-son playing for Hebron and was in attendance.

Link to the broadcast: http://www.nfhsnetwork.com/events/ghsa/01114cbcb8