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Chelsea pitcher Jackson Price (2) throws the ball during Game 2 of the AHSAA 6A Baseball State Championship between the Chelsea Hornets and Hartselle Tigers at Jim Case Stadium in Jacksonville, AL on May 15, 2025. Photo by David Leong.
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Chelsea catcher/pitcher Cade Mims (0) swings at the ball during Game 2 of the AHSAA 6A Baseball State Championship between the Chelsea Hornets and Hartselle Tigers at Jim Case Stadium in Jacksonville, AL on May 15, 2025. Photo by David Leong.
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Chelsea catcher/pitcher Cade Mims (0) sprints towards first base during Game 2 of the AHSAA 6A Baseball State Championship between the Chelsea Hornets and Hartselle Tigers at Jim Case Stadium in Jacksonville, AL on May 15, 2025. Photo by David Leong.
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Chelsea third baseman Paxton Stallings (27) swings at the ball during Game 2 of the AHSAA 6A Baseball State Championship between the Chelsea Hornets and Hartselle Tigers at Jim Case Stadium in Jacksonville, AL on May 15, 2025. Photo by David Leong.
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Hartselle catcher Cole Griffin (5) tags Chelsea outfielder Jackson Turner (9) at home plate sending them to a Game 3 matchup at end of Game 2 of the AHSAA 6A Baseball State Championship between the Chelsea Hornets and Hartselle Tigers at Jim Case Stadium in Jacksonville, AL on May 15, 2025. Photo by David Leong.
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Hartselle catcher Cole Griffin (5) tags Chelsea outfielder Jackson Turner (9) at home plate sending them to a Game 3 matchup at end of Game 2 of the AHSAA 6A Baseball State Championship between the Chelsea Hornets and Hartselle Tigers at Jim Case Stadium in Jacksonville, AL on May 15, 2025. Photo by David Leong.
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Chelsea baseball team huddles before Game 2 of the AHSAA 6A Baseball State Championship between the Chelsea Hornets and Hartselle Tigers at Jim Case Stadium in Jacksonville, AL on May 15, 2025. Photo by David Leong.
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The Chelsea baseball coaching staff stand during the Pledge of Allegiance before Game 2 of the AHSAA 6A Baseball State Championship between the Chelsea Hornets and Hartselle Tigers at Jim Case Stadium in Jacksonville, AL on May 15, 2025. Photo by David Leong.
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The Hartselle baseball coaching staff stand during the Pledge of Allegiance before Game 2 of the AHSAA 6A Baseball State Championship between the Chelsea Hornets and Hartselle Tigers at Jim Case Stadium in Jacksonville, AL on May 15, 2025. Photo by David Leong.
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Chelsea outfielder/pitcher Aiden Hughes (8) swings at the ball during Game 2 of the AHSAA 6A Baseball State Championship between the Chelsea Hornets and Hartselle Tigers at Jim Case Stadium in Jacksonville, AL on May 15, 2025. Photo by David Leong.
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The Chelsea dugout looks on during Game 2 of the AHSAA 6A Baseball State Championship between the Chelsea Hornets and Hartselle Tigers at Jim Case Stadium in Jacksonville, AL on May 15, 2025. Photo by David Leong.
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Chelsea catcher/pitcher Cade Mims (0) returns a pitch during Game 2 of the AHSAA 6A Baseball State Championship between the Chelsea Hornets and Hartselle Tigers at Jim Case Stadium in Jacksonville, AL on May 15, 2025. Photo by David Leong.
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Chelsea third baseman Paxton Stallings (27) swings at a pitch during Game 2 of the AHSAA 6A Baseball State Championship between the Chelsea Hornets and Hartselle Tigers at Jim Case Stadium in Jacksonville, AL on May 15, 2025. Photo by David Leong.
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Chelsea third baseman Paxton Stallings (27) swings at the ball during Game 2 of the AHSAA 6A Baseball State Championship between the Chelsea Hornets and Hartselle Tigers at Jim Case Stadium in Jacksonville, AL on May 15, 2025. Photo by David Leong.
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Chelsea pitcher Jackson Price (2) sprints towards first base during Game 2 of the AHSAA 6A Baseball State Championship between the Chelsea Hornets and Hartselle Tigers at Jim Case Stadium in Jacksonville, AL on May 15, 2025. Photo by David Leong.
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Chelsea outfielder/pitcher Aiden Hughes (8) sprints towards first base during Game 2 of the AHSAA 6A Baseball State Championship between the Chelsea Hornets and Hartselle Tigers at Jim Case Stadium in Jacksonville, AL on May 15, 2025. Photo by David Leong.
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Chelsea shortstop Chase Lackey (1) hits a 3 run double during Game 2 of the AHSAA 6A Baseball State Championship between the Chelsea Hornets and Hartselle Tigers at Jim Case Stadium in Jacksonville, AL on May 15, 2025. Photo by David Leong.
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Chelsea outfielder Mack Breazeale (3) swings at the ball during Game 2 of the AHSAA 6A Baseball State Championship between the Chelsea Hornets and Hartselle Tigers at Jim Case Stadium in Jacksonville, AL on May 15, 2025. Photo by David Leong.
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Chelsea catcher/pitcher Cade Mims (0) catches the ball during Game 2 of the AHSAA 6A Baseball State Championship between the Chelsea Hornets and Hartselle Tigers at Jim Case Stadium in Jacksonville, AL on May 15, 2025. Photo by David Leong.
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The Chelsea dugout cheer on their teammates during Game 3 of the AHSAA 6A Baseball State Championship between the Chelsea Hornets and Hartselle Tigers at Jim Case Stadium in Jacksonville, AL on May 15, 2025. Photo by David Leong.
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Chelsea head coach Michael Stallings changes pitchers during Game 3 of the AHSAA 6A Baseball State Championship between the Chelsea Hornets and Hartselle Tigers at Jim Case Stadium in Jacksonville, AL on May 15, 2025. Photo by David Leong.
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Chelsea first baseman/pitcher Luke Neill (11) throws the ball during Game 3 of the AHSAA 6A Baseball State Championship between the Chelsea Hornets and Hartselle Tigers at Jim Case Stadium in Jacksonville, AL on May 15, 2025. Photo by David Leong.
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Chelsea shortstop Chase Lackey (1) tries to tag Hartselle shortstop Easton Nelms (3) during Game 3 of the AHSAA 6A Baseball State Championship between the Chelsea Hornets and Hartselle Tigers at Jim Case Stadium in Jacksonville, AL on May 15, 2025. Photo by David Leong.
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Chelsea pitcher Payton Hunsaker (7) throws the ball during Game 3 of the AHSAA 6A Baseball State Championship between the Chelsea Hornets and Hartselle Tigers at Jim Case Stadium in Jacksonville, AL on May 15, 2025. Photo by David Leong.
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Chelsea outfielder/pitcher Aiden Hughes (8) swings at the ball during Game 3 of the AHSAA 6A Baseball State Championship between the Chelsea Hornets and Hartselle Tigers at Jim Case Stadium in Jacksonville, AL on May 15, 2025. Photo by David Leong.
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Chelsea second baseman Bryant Wisdom (25) tries to make a play during Game 3 of the AHSAA 6A Baseball State Championship between the Chelsea Hornets and Hartselle Tigers at Jim Case Stadium in Jacksonville, AL on May 15, 2025. Photo by David Leong.
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Chelsea second baseman Bryant Wisdom (25) tries to make a play during Game 3 of the AHSAA 6A Baseball State Championship between the Chelsea Hornets and Hartselle Tigers at Jim Case Stadium in Jacksonville, AL on May 15, 2025. Photo by David Leong.
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Chelsea baseball players on the mound during Game 3 of the AHSAA 6A Baseball State Championship between the Chelsea Hornets and Hartselle Tigers at Jim Case Stadium in Jacksonville, AL on May 15, 2025. Photo by David Leong.
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Chelsea pitcher Branson Hogan (13) throws the ball during Game 3 of the AHSAA 6A Baseball State Championship between the Chelsea Hornets and Hartselle Tigers at Jim Case Stadium in Jacksonville, AL on May 15, 2025. Photo by David Leong.
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Chelsea outfielder Mack Breazeale (3) swings at the ball during Game 3 of the AHSAA 6A Baseball State Championship between the Chelsea Hornets and Hartselle Tigers at Jim Case Stadium in Jacksonville, AL on May 15, 2025. Photo by David Leong.
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Chelsea shortstop Chase Lackey (1) bunts the ball during Game 3 of the AHSAA 6A Baseball State Championship between the Chelsea Hornets and Hartselle Tigers at Jim Case Stadium in Jacksonville, AL on May 15, 2025. Photo by David Leong.
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Chelsea outfielder/pitcher Aiden Hughes (8) steals second base after diving under Hartselle shortstop Easton Nelms (3) during Game 3 of the AHSAA 6A Baseball State Championship between the Chelsea Hornets and Hartselle Tigers at Jim Case Stadium in Jacksonville, AL on May 15, 2025. Photo by David Leong.
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Chelsea outfielder Aiden Craven (6) celebrates after a successful inning during Game 3 of the AHSAA 6A Baseball State Championship between the Chelsea Hornets and Hartselle Tigers at Jim Case Stadium in Jacksonville, AL on May 15, 2025. Photo by David Leong.
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Chelsea catcher/pitcher Cade Mims (0) swings at the ball during Game 3 of the AHSAA 6A Baseball State Championship between the Chelsea Hornets and Hartselle Tigers at Jim Case Stadium in Jacksonville, AL on May 15, 2025. Photo by David Leong.
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Chelsea outfielder Mack Breazeale (3) swings at the ball during Game 3 of the AHSAA 6A Baseball State Championship between the Chelsea Hornets and Hartselle Tigers at Jim Case Stadium in Jacksonville, AL on May 15, 2025. Photo by David Leong.
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Umpires discuss a play during Game 3 of the AHSAA 6A Baseball State Championship between the Chelsea Hornets and Hartselle Tigers at Jim Case Stadium in Jacksonville, AL on May 15, 2025. Photo by David Leong.
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Chelsea catcher/pitcher Cade Mims (0) gets hit by a wild pitch during Game 3 of the AHSAA 6A Baseball State Championship between the Chelsea Hornets and Hartselle Tigers at Jim Case Stadium in Jacksonville, AL on May 15, 2025. Photo by David Leong.
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Chelsea catcher/pitcher Cade Mims (0) gets hit by a wild pitch during Game 3 of the AHSAA 6A Baseball State Championship between the Chelsea Hornets and Hartselle Tigers at Jim Case Stadium in Jacksonville, AL on May 15, 2025. Photo by David Leong.
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Chelsea catcher/pitcher Cade Mims (0) gets hit by a wild pitch during Game 3 of the AHSAA 6A Baseball State Championship between the Chelsea Hornets and Hartselle Tigers at Jim Case Stadium in Jacksonville, AL on May 15, 2025. Photo by David Leong.
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The Hartselle baseball team celebrate their victory after Game 3 of the AHSAA 6A Baseball State Championship between the Chelsea Hornets and Hartselle Tigers at Jim Case Stadium in Jacksonville, AL on May 15, 2025. Photo by David Leong.
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The Hartselle baseball team celebrate their victory after Game 3 of the AHSAA 6A Baseball State Championship between the Chelsea Hornets and Hartselle Tigers at Jim Case Stadium in Jacksonville, AL on May 15, 2025. Photo by David Leong.
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Players line up for handshakes after Game 3 of the AHSAA 6A Baseball State Championship between the Chelsea Hornets and Hartselle Tigers at Jim Case Stadium in Jacksonville, AL on May 15, 2025. Photo by David Leong.
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Chelsea baseball team line up during the awards ceremony after Game 3 of the AHSAA 6A Baseball State Championship between the Chelsea Hornets and Hartselle Tigers at Jim Case Stadium in Jacksonville, AL on May 15, 2025. Photo by David Leong.
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Chelsea head coach Michael Stallings accepts the Runner Up trophy after Game 3 of the AHSAA 6A Baseball State Championship between the Chelsea Hornets and Hartselle Tigers at Jim Case Stadium in Jacksonville, AL on May 15, 2025. Photo by David Leong.
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The Hartselle baseball team celebrate their victory after Game 3 of the AHSAA 6A Baseball State Championship between the Chelsea Hornets and Hartselle Tigers at Jim Case Stadium in Jacksonville, AL on May 15, 2025. Photo by David Leong.
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The Chelsea baseball team pose for a photo after Game 3 of the AHSAA 6A Baseball State Championship between the Chelsea Hornets and Hartselle Tigers at Jim Case Stadium in Jacksonville, AL on May 15, 2025. Photo by David Leong.
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The Chelsea baseball team pose for a photo after Game 3 of the AHSAA 6A Baseball State Championship between the Chelsea Hornets and Hartselle Tigers at Jim Case Stadium in Jacksonville, AL on May 15, 2025. Photo by David Leong.
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Chelsea head coach Michael Stallings at a post game press conference after Game 3 of the AHSAA 6A Baseball State Championship between the Chelsea Hornets and Hartselle Tigers at Jim Case Stadium in Jacksonville, AL on May 15, 2025. Photo by David Leong.
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Chelsea third baseman Paxton Stallings (27) swings at the ball during Game 3 of the AHSAA 6A Baseball State Championship between the Chelsea Hornets and Hartselle Tigers at Jim Case Stadium in Jacksonville, AL on May 15, 2025. Photo by David Leong.
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Chelsea players celebrate during Game 3 of the AHSAA 6A Baseball State Championship between the Chelsea Hornets and Hartselle Tigers at Jim Case Stadium in Jacksonville, AL on May 15, 2025. Photo by David Leong.
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Chelsea players celebrate during Game 3 of the AHSAA 6A Baseball State Championship between the Chelsea Hornets and Hartselle Tigers at Jim Case Stadium in Jacksonville, AL on May 15, 2025. Photo by David Leong.
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Chelsea pitcher Branson Hogan (13) sprints towards first base during Game 3 of the AHSAA 6A Baseball State Championship between the Chelsea Hornets and Hartselle Tigers at Jim Case Stadium in Jacksonville, AL on May 15, 2025. Photo by David Leong.
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Chelsea fans cheer on their team during Game 3 of the AHSAA 6A Baseball State Championship between the Chelsea Hornets and Hartselle Tigers at Jim Case Stadium in Jacksonville, AL on May 15, 2025. Photo by David Leong.
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Chelsea pitcher Silas Osbourn(20) looks for the play call during Game 3 of the AHSAA 6A Baseball State Championship between the Chelsea Hornets and Hartselle Tigers at Jim Case Stadium in Jacksonville, AL on May 15, 2025. Photo by David Leong.
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Chelsea third baseman/pitcher Brandon Bossman (4) scrambles for the ball during Game 3 of the AHSAA 6A Baseball State Championship between the Chelsea Hornets and Hartselle Tigers at Jim Case Stadium in Jacksonville, AL on May 15, 2025. Photo by David Leong.
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Chelsea shortstop Chase Lackey (1) is thrown out at second base during Game 3 of the AHSAA 6A Baseball State Championship between the Chelsea Hornets and Hartselle Tigers at Jim Case Stadium in Jacksonville, AL on May 15, 2025. Photo by David Leong.
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Trophies for both teams after Game 3 of the AHSAA 6A Baseball State Championship between the Chelsea Hornets and Hartselle Tigers at Jim Case Stadium in Jacksonville, AL on May 15, 2025. Photo by David Leong.
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The Hartselle baseball team celebrate their victory after Game 3 of the AHSAA 6A Baseball State Championship between the Chelsea Hornets and Hartselle Tigers at Jim Case Stadium in Jacksonville, AL on May 15, 2025. Photo by David Leong.
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Hartselle second baseman Asher Doepel (9) tries to tag Chelsea outfielder Aiden Craven (6) during Game 2 of the AHSAA 6A Baseball State Championship between the Chelsea Hornets and Hartselle Tigers at Jim Case Stadium in Jacksonville, AL on May 15, 2025. Photo by David Leong.
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Chelsea third baseman Paxton Stallings (27) throws the ball during Game 2 of the AHSAA 6A Baseball State Championship between the Chelsea Hornets and Hartselle Tigers at Jim Case Stadium in Jacksonville, AL on May 15, 2025. Photo by David Leong.
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Chelsea outfielder Jaxson Dohrman (5) swings at the ball during Game 2 of the AHSAA 6A Baseball State Championship between the Chelsea Hornets and Hartselle Tigers at Jim Case Stadium in Jacksonville, AL on May 15, 2025. Photo by David Leong.
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Chelsea catcher/pitcher Cade Mims (0) reigns in a wild pitch during Game 2 of the AHSAA 6A Baseball State Championship between the Chelsea Hornets and Hartselle Tigers at Jim Case Stadium in Jacksonville, AL on May 15, 2025. Photo by David Leong.
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Chelsea catcher/pitcher Cade Mims (0) receives a pitch during Game 2 of the AHSAA 6A Baseball State Championship between the Chelsea Hornets and Hartselle Tigers at Jim Case Stadium in Jacksonville, AL on May 15, 2025. Photo by David Leong.
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Hartselle catcher Cole Griffin (5) celebrates after tagging Chelsea outfielder Jackson Turner (9) at home plate sending them to a Game 3 matchup at end of Game 2 of the AHSAA 6A Baseball State Championship between the Chelsea Hornets and Hartselle Tigers at Jim Case Stadium in Jacksonville, AL on May 15, 2025. Photo by David Leong.
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Chelsea outfielder Mack Breazeale (3) swings at a pitch during Game 2 of the AHSAA 6A Baseball State Championship between the Chelsea Hornets and Hartselle Tigers at Jim Case Stadium in Jacksonville, AL on May 15, 2025. Photo by David Leong.
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Chelsea first baseman/pitcher Luke Neill (11) makes a play at first base during Game 2 of the AHSAA 6A Baseball State Championship between the Chelsea Hornets and Hartselle Tigers at Jim Case Stadium in Jacksonville, AL on May 15, 2025. Photo by David Leong.
JACKSONVILLE -- The Chelsea High School baseball team very nearly captured its first state championship Thursday.
But Hartselle stood in the way, finding a way to win twice to take home the Class 6A state title.
Chelsea won the first game Wednesday at Choccolocco Park in Oxford, walking it off in the ninth inning for a 1-0 victory.
But the series moved to Jacksonville State University on Thursday, with Hartselle winning 4-3 and 9-3 to take the title.
“You knew it was going to be a dog fight and you knew the caliber of team that Hartselle was,” Chelsea head coach Michael Stallings said. “We knew we were going to have to be on point. We played a really good ball game in game one. Game two was really good; game three was really good, it just came apart in the seventh inning.”
Things began well Wednesday, with the Hornets getting the better end of a pitchers’ duel and winning 1-0 in nine innings. Aiden Hughes dealt for nine innings, allowing just two hits to go along with 12 strikeouts. Hartselle’s Jace Meadows nearly matched him pitch for pitch, throwing eight shutout innings himself.
Chelsea finally broke the scoreless tie in the ninth, as the Hornets loaded the bases with a hit by pitch, single and walk. Two batters later, Jaxson Dohrman hit a ground ball that ended the game. Hartselle got the out at home, but an ensuing throw to first sailed, allowing Paxton Stallings to score the winning run.
All seven runs in the second game were scored in one inning. Chelsea’s Chase Lackey cleared the bases in the third inning with a three-run triple, giving the Hornets a 3-0 lead. But Hartselle responded in kind, with Easton Nelms tying the game on a three-run triple. Cole Miles followed that up with a run-scoring groundout.
That was enough to give the Tigers the series-evening win. Stallings threw the final three innings for Chelsea in hitless fashion. Hartselle’s Connor Stiles threw the complete game, earning the win by allowing three runs on six hits with five strikeouts.
Chelsea was three outs from the championship in the third day, taking the lead in the bottom of the sixth, before things came undone in the seventh.
Hartselle scored twice in the fifth to open the scoring, with Asher Doepel knocking one in with a single, and another scoring later in the inning. Chelsea tied the game with three straight hits to begin the sixth inning, Stallings’ double knocking in a pair. Bryant Wisdom drove Stallings in two batters later to give Chelsea the 3-2 lead.
Hartselle drew five walks and a hit by pitch in the seventh on its way to busting out for seven runs. Doepel was lethal from the leadoff spot for the Tigers, going 4-for-4 with three RBIs. He also threw 6 2/3 innings to earn the win.
“The guys they threw at us were very competitive,” Michael Stallings said of Hartselle’s three starting pitchers.
Chelsea had a tremendous run through the playoffs to reach the state finals for the first time since 2019. The Hornets lost just one game in series wins over Brookwood, Saraland, Calera and Stanhope Elmore. They finished the season with a record of 28-12.
A senior group that included Michael Stallings’ son, Paxton, meant that the relationship between coach and players went a little deeper than normal teams. Michael Stallings fondly remembers the days of park ball, travel ball and all the games over the years.
“If you don’t win the third game, it don’t feel the same,” Michael Stallings said. “It doesn’t take away from how proud I am of them and everything they’ve done for our program, and what they’ve done for me as a coach.”
