Hillcrest ends Hornets' playoff run

CHELSEA -- The playoff run for the Chelsea High School baseball team came to an abrupt end Saturday, as the host Hornets lost both games of their quarterfinal best-of-three series to Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa, the defending Class 6A state champions.

Game 1: Hillcrest 8, Chelsea 1

Hornet fans had something to complain about: Hunter Kamplain.

The Patriot catcher almost single-handedly put away Chelsea, blasting two home runs plus a double and also reaching base on an error. He was 3-for-3 with five runs batted in for the game.

Kamplain put Hillcrest up in the top of the first inning with a wind-aided blast to left field that scored three runs. He added a double in the fourth and scored on a Darien Pope single, then smashed another home run to left in the fifth that scored two runs.

Chelsea scored its lone run in the bottom of the first, when second baseman Clay DeWeese, batting in the second spot in the order, hit a double. He came in to score on a base hit by Riley Watkins.

Patriots pitcher Garrett McMillan went the full seven innings, striking out nine Hornet batters while giving up four hits. At one point, McMillan retired 13 straight batters, and 14 of the last 16; right fielder William Root’s triple that got past the visitors’ left fielder in the bottom of the seventh was the only blemish in that streak.

Game 2: Hillcrest 7, Chelsea 2

The Hornets, batting first in the second game of the doubleheader, looked to be on course for a turnaround when they scored twice in the top of the first inning.

Lead-off batter Tristan Sulser opened with a single, moved to second when DeWeese drew a walk, and then scored when Kamplain overthrew third base on a steal attempt. DeWeese then came home when Josh Gregg grounded out to second base.

But the Patriots came back in the bottom of the first inning with three runs, taking a lead they would not relinquish. A single, an error, a hit-by-pitch and a walk loaded the bases. Shortstop Cole Frederick then scored on a wild pitch, right fielder Colby Smelley came in on a base hit by Tyler Frederick, and McMillan (the designated hitter in the nightcap) scored on a Hornet error.

Hillcrest doubled their score with three runs in the fourth inning, which started off with a pair of walks by Hornet pitcher Riley Watkins. That led coach Michael Stallings to pull his starter in favor of reliever Connor Burnett, who then gave up three straight singles. Pope drove in two runs with his hit.

Edwards tallied another RBI in the fifth, bringing home McMillan.

Chelsea had opportunities to catch up with the Pats, but squandered a chance in the second inning when Will Hayes was caught stealing at third base for the last out. The Hornets also stranded two runners in the third and left the bases loaded in the sixth.

“Hillcrest has a very good program, but we had some plays that just didn’t go our way,” Hornet coach Michael Stallings said. “In the end, we made more mistakes than they did. And when we did make mistakes, they capitalized on them.”

Watkins allowed five runs, three of them earned; he struck out two and walked three, plus a hit batsman. At the plate, his double was the only extra-base hit for the hosts.

Chelsea junior right fielder William Root battled gusty, variable winds all day, making eight put-outs. He also recorded an outfield assist in the first game with a deadly throw to third base for the second out of a double play.

“He’s been a staple for us in right field — he started for us as a sophomore and played in every game,” Stallings said. “He had a great day today.”

Hillcrest moves on to the state semifinals, where they will face Helena. Chelsea finishes with a 27-15 record.