By Shaun Szkolnik, sports editor
MONTGOMERY – It was sunny skies at Riverwalk Stadium in Montgomery as Springville took on Briarwod in Game 2 of the AHSAA 5A State Championship. This made for a big change over Game 1, in which a weather delay postponed play for just over two-and-a-half hours.
See Related: Springville falls to Briarwood 5-4 in Game 1 of 5A State Championship
The Lions caged the Tigers in Game 1 with a score of 5-4. Game 2, however, was even more exciting as Briarwood staged a near comeback in the bottom of the seventh inning. Briarwood made an epic attempt to claw their way back from a nine run deficit and nearly pulled it off. In the end, however, the Lions came up short and fell to the Tigers 12-9, guaranteeing a Game 3.
Springville’s big inning came in the top of the third when the Tigers put nine runs across home plate. Ivan Cornelius doubled on a 3-2 count and scored three runs. Max Harrison singled on a 2-2 count, scoring two runs. Brandon Daniels singled on a 0-2 count, scoring one run, Braden Hughes tripled on a 2-0 count scoring three runs.
Chris Tittle had the win for Springville. Tittle gave up five runs, five hits and one walk. Tittle pitched for two and two-thirds innings. Chase Isbell had the last out of the game. Max Harrison started the game for Springville. He pitched for three and two-thirds innings and gave up four runs on four hits.
Jonah Carroll took the loss for Briarwood. Carroll gave up three hits and six runs while striking out two. He had the mound for two innings.
The Tigers had 11 hits in the game with Cornelius, Isbell and Bradlee Cole putting up multiple hits for the Tigers. Isbell went 3-for-4 at the plate.
Briarwood had three errors in the game.
Springville had two errors in the game.
Springville will face off against Briarwood in Game 3 of the series, which will start shortly after 1 p.m. on Friday, May 17.