Sweet Water Keeps Championship Hopes Alive with Game 2 Victory Over Sumiton Christian

May 21, 2024

Jacksonville, AL – Sweet Water High maintained its state baseball championship aspirations on Wednesday morning by defeating Sumiton Christian 6-2 in Game 2 of the AHSAA Class 1A State Baseball Championship Series, held at Jacksonville State University’s Rudy Abbott Field at Jim Case Stadium.

Sumiton Christian had claimed victory in Game 1 on Tuesday with a 3-2 win. The decisive Game 3 was scheduled to start 30 minutes after the conclusion of Game 2 on Wednesday.

Sweet Water winning pitcher David Etheridge hurls a 5-hitter to force game 3 in the Class 1A State Baseball Championship Series Wednesday morning. (AHSAA PHOTO | David Holtsford)

Game 2 Highlights:

Winning Pitcher: David Etheridge pitched a complete game for the Bulldogs (23-15), allowing five hits, walking five, and striking out four.
Sumiton Pitching: Justin Hicks started for Sumiton Christian (27-5), pitching 3 2/3 innings and allowing all six runs, resulting in the loss.
Offensive Breakthrough: Sweet Water broke the game open in the bottom of the fourth inning, scoring four runs with three hits, two hit-by-pitches, and two walks. The game was tied at 2-2 before this inning.

Key Performances:

Sweet Water’s Offense:
Maddox Henson singled to drive in a run.
Parker Townsend, the lead-off hitter, hit a single to right field, driving in two more runs.
Ethan Carr walked with the bases loaded, bringing in the final run of the inning.
Early Lead by Sumiton Christian:
Kaden Parrish hit an RBI double in the first inning, giving Sumiton Christian a 1-0 lead.
Colton Glass tripled in the second inning and scored on a groundout by Hicks, extending the lead to 2-0.
Sweet Water’s Response:
Payton Averette tripled in a run in the bottom of the second inning.
Townsend singled in the bottom of the third, stole second and third, and scored on an infield groundout by Nate Norris.

Final Stats:

Sweet Water: Parker Townsend led with three hits, and Payton Averette contributed two hits.
Sumiton Christian: Five different players recorded one hit each.

This victory keeps Sweet Water in contention for the state title, setting up an exciting Game 3 in the championship series

Cover Photo: Sweet Water shortstop slides into home in the Bulldogs’ 4-run fourth-inning rally as Sumiton Christian catcher Reid Cornelius awaits the throw. (AHSAA PHOTO | David Holtsford)