These two schools just cannot avoid one another, once again they meet. This time it’s the JPS Baseball Classic championship game, Callaway Chargers (5-2), vs Lanier Bulldogs (7-0), for JPS bragging rights. Because of their records, both teams had a first round bye. Callaway reached the championship game by beating Forest Hill 13 to 2, led by Michael Barrett, who had 2 homeruns. Lanier reached the championship game by rallying to force extra innings and then scored the winning run.
Those victories set the stage for a third game between these two rivals. Callaway’s two losses both came at the hands of Lanier. For Callaway, a win would avenge a loss and bring home a championship.
Things start off well for Callaway who jumped out to a 3 to 1 lead in the 2nd inning. Both teams make pitching changes in the 3rd inning with the intentions of cooling down the opponent bats. Callaway picks up another run stretching their lead to 4 to 1. Lanier scores two runs at the bottom of the inning to make the score close. As the game enters the bottom of the 6th, the bulldogs still trailing by one run, sophomore 2nd baseman Andre Funches hits a double to ignite a rally. Shortstop Larry Bingham follows with a base hit to bring Funches in from 2nd base.
Game tied and the bulldog faithful is cheering. The diamond dogs have put on their rally caps and the excitement is rising. The chargers get the final out of the inning, but the momentum has clearly shifted Lanier’s way. Lanier retires Callaway’s batters without surrendering a hit.
Bottom of the 7th, sophomore catcher, Antonio Morris, reaches first base. He is pinched run for by Barry Henderson. Crowds for both schools are up on their feet cheering. Charger fans need three outs to force extra innings, while bulldog fans need one run to win the championship.
Two batters and two outs later, sophomore third baseman, Gabriel Gordon, steps up to the plate. Henderson has made it to 2nd base. A solid hit and his coaches will be waving him home. Callaway pitcher, Brandon Straughter, who pitched a good game in relief of Michael Barrett, battles Gordon to reach a full count. Young Gabriel is in a hitter’s dream position. Three balls, 2 strikes, 2 outs.
Often hitters dream of hitting a homerun to win the game, but Gordon only needs a hit. Straughter fires the pitch to the plate, Gordon slaps it into right field, Henderson hustles in and Gordon’s teammates race out of the dugout to mob him down at first base. Bulldog fans are going crazy.
The chargers so close to victory have suffered another defeat at the hands of the Lanier to fall to 5 wins and 3 losses; all losses at the hands of Lanier. Lanier stays perfect with 8 wins.
Callaway’s next two games are against Pearl. They visit Pearl on the 23rd and Pearl comes to the VA field on the 26th; game time is 5 pm for both games.
Lanier’s next two games are against Provine. They travel to the VA field on the 23rd and host Provine on the 26th at Grove Park. Game time is 5 p.m. for both games.
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