Hartselle returns to state finals with sweep of Hazel Green

May 15—HARTSELLE — For the fifth time in the last six years, the Hartselle Tigers will play for the Class 6A state baseball championship.

Playing in their state-record 23rd Final Four on Thursday, the Tigers swept Hazel Green 2-0 (5-3, 8-4). They will now play for their second consecutive state championship and 11th in all.

"It means a lot to represent the "H" in another state championship," Hartselle senior Cain Falciani. "We have the best fanbase and the best community, and we're super excited to get to try to bring another blue map home."

The Class 6A state finals will begin Wednesday with Game 1 at Choccolocco Park in Oxford at 11 a.m. Game 2 and game 3 (if needed) will take place on Thursday at Jacksonville State University beginning at 10 a.m.

—

Hartselle 5, Hazel Green 3: There's just something about a comeback that lights a fire under the Hartselle Tigers.

Going into Game 1 of Thursday's series, the Tigers had trailed in four of their last five playoff games. They're 4-0 in those games, including erasing a 3-0 deficit in Thursday's Game 1 vs. Hazel Green.

"That's what we're made of, grit. Doesn't matter if it's 10-0, 4-0 or 1-0, you're never going to get rid of us," Cain Falciani said. "When we went down 3-0, you could look around the dugout and tell that everyone knew we were about to come back."

Hazel Green took a 2-0 lead in the third inning off a two-run home run and added another in the fourth.

Hartselle rallied in the bottom of the fourth, tying the game on RBI hits from Falciani, Sam Gillette and Asher Doepel and then taking the lead with two runs scored by Doepel and Braden Weathers later in the inning.

"These guys have seen everything throughout their career — the good, the bad and the ugly," Hartselle head coach Brad Phillips said. "When you have a team that has that much experience, nothing fazes them."

Falciani and Gillette both had two hits and an RBI to lead Hartselle, while Cole Miles added two hits.

Barrett McKelvey got the win on the mound, allowing five hits and three runs with three strikeouts. Phillips said his ability to shrug off the early home run was pivotal in the win.

"The home run wasn't even his fault, it was mine. He was throwing good stuff and I just put it in a spot I knew I shouldn't have," Phillips, who calls the pitches, said. "But coming back strong after giving up a big hit is something he's done all year and he came up huge for us today."

—

Hartselle 8, Hazel Green 4: Hartselle built a 4-1 lead after the fourth inning and held off a late rally to seal the win.

Braden Weathers led the way with a hit and three RBIs. Cruise Baker added two hits and an RBI and Asher Doepel had two hits.

Connor Stiles got the win, allowing seven hits and four runs with six strikeouts in 5 2/3 innings.

— caleb.suggs@decaturdaily.com or 256-340-2395. Twitter @CalebSuggs2