PEARL — A defensive replacement in the seventh inning proved to be a smart move for Jerry Boatner's West Lauderdale Knights as Brock Hughes caught the final out in left field to end East Central's rally and clinch the Knights' 12th state championship.
With runners on the corners and trailing by two runs, Taylor Bonifacio hit a shot to left and Hughes, the only non-starting senior for the Knights, was running toward the wall when he made the catch going down near the warning track to seal the 4-2 victory for West Lauderdale in the MHSAA Class 4A state championship game.
"It felt so good," Hughes said of catching the final out of the game. "I got turned around on it, but I made the grab. It's the sweetest thing ever."
The Knights led 4-1 entering the seventh inning and recorded two quick outs with a groundout and a strikeout. Kameron Heiser got ahead of Josh Slaytor 0-2 before giving up a double to deep center field. A walk and a single cut the West lead to two before Bonifacio flew out.
Heiser (7-1) tossed a complete game, four-hitter in only his second outing since the playoffs began. The senior, who entered the game with 24 strikeouts, finished the game with eight Ks.
"If this wasn't the best we've played all year, it was close," Boatner said. "I can't picture us playing any better. That's what you've got to do in this type of game."
The Knights, which finished the year at 29-8 after winning 19 of their last 21 games, broke a scoreless tie in the bottom of the third inning when Andy Miller singled to right to open the frame. With two outs and Miller on second, Darren Farmer jumped on the first pitch he saw, sending it to center field and scoring Miller.
West added one more run in the next inning as Jamie Byrd led off with a single. Byrd hit a high popup in the infield, but none of the Hornet fielders were able to get a bead on the ball as it fell behind first baseman Trey Porter, who was in near the mound. After Byrd's courtesy runner — Kyle Laird — stole second and moved to third on a wild pitch, designated hitter Clay Clearman grounded out to short to drive in the run. Miller, who went 2-for-3, followed with an infield single, but moved to second when the throw was errant. He moved up 90 feet when a pickoff throw went into the outfield and scored on Heiser's single to right.
East Central threatened to break the game wide-open in the fifth. Heiser walked the first three batters of the inning before leadoff hitter Jarrod Howell sent a dying fly ball to shallow left-center field. Miller came across from his position in center to make a diving catch. Chase Ehlers tagged up from third to score the Hornets' first run.
"That felt awesome," Miller said of making the catch that prevented more runs from scoring. "It's a wonder that it stuck in my glove. I really don't remember it at all, I just know I came up with the catch."
West got the run back in the bottom of the frame when Wes Stokes drew a two-out walk and Byrd doubled to left to plate Stokes. Byrd finished the game going 2-for-3 and hit safely in three of his last four at-bats after a 1-for-12 span.
"I just wanted to continue to hit the ball," Byrd said. "I wanted to help my team win."
The Knights will graduate seven seniors, but Boatner already has his eye on another trip to Pearl and another crown.
"It feels awesome," Boatner said of winning his state-record 12th title. "I can't wait to get No. 13."
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West Lauderdale wins state championship
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