By Gary Lloyd
MONTGOMERY — The run is over.
No. 10 Hewitt-Trussville fell 1-0 in a pitchers’ duel against No. 5 Pelham at Riverwalk Stadium this evening, falling two games to none in the Class 6A state championship series.
Hewitt-Trussville finishes the 2013 season with a 34-13 record, the most wins in school history.
“I’m hurting for our kids,” said first-year Hewitt-Trussville head coach Jeff Mauldin, who coached six years at Pelham.
Hewitt-Trussville players with the state runner-up trophy
photo by Ron Burkett
Mauldin said this one game, this one weekend, does not define the Hewitt-Trussville program. He said members of this year’s team will be back to cheer on future Hewitt-Trussville teams in the state championship series.
The lone run of the decisive game came in the top of the fourth inning, when Pelham right fielder Aaron Anderson doubled home first baseman Chase Brashier.
Hewitt-Trussville managed just two hits in the game, both singles by sophomore catcher Cyle Moore. Moore said getting to the state championship starts a “foundation” for Hewitt-Trussville, for getting the program where it should be.
Starting pitcher Alec Talley, a junior, pitched a complete game six-hitter. He allowed one earned run and struck out six. He said the team wouldn’t do anything different in the series.
Senior first baseman Will Pharis said all the offseason workouts, drills and practices led Hewitt-Trussville to this point.
Senior first baseman Will Pharis (left) hugs sophomore catcher Cyle Moore after Hewitt-Trussville lost 1-0 in Game 2 of the Class 6A state championship series against Pelham.
photo by Ron Burkett
“It’s always been the dream,” he said.
Pelham got a complete game two-hitter from junior Jack Pierce, who struck out eight Huskies.
“I had something to prove,” Pierce said.
Thomas Lowery was named the series’ most valuable player. He pitched a complete game in the Game 1 victory. He said the individual honor was the “icing on the cake.”
Lowery said Hewitt-Trussville and Pelham have a lot of similarities in the way they play, noting that each team doesn’t have one superstar who carries the team.
“Hewitt-Trussville is a tremendous program,” said first-year Pelham head coach Sean Anderson.
Pharis said he’ll remember the coaches the most about this season, because they impacted the players’ lives more than just on the field.
“It’s been a great journey,” Pharis said, fighting tears.
Watch for more content from the state championship series, including stories, photos and video, this weekend.
Contact Gary Lloyd at news@trussvilletribune.com and follow him on Twitter @GaryALloyd.
