By John Goolsby, Prep Sports Editor
TRUSSVILLE-The fifth-ranked Hewitt-Trussville baseball team (26-7, 4-2) punched their ticket to the AHSAA playoffs last night. The Huskies defeated thirteenth-ranked Oak Mountain 3-1 to sweep the series 2-0.
Eighth-grader Hudson Mitchell made his first varsity appearance for the Husky squad and performed outstandingly in a high-pressure situation.
The right-handed pitcher entered the game in the fifth inning, with Hewitt holding a 2-0 lead. Mitchell pitched two and a third innings, giving up one hit and one run and recording two strikeouts on 47 pitches.
Christian Helmers came in and closed out the game with two outs on nine pitches. Cooper Huffman got the win. The junior went four innings and gave up one hit, no runs, and struck out three Eagles.
Colby Durden led the Huskies with two hits, two runs, and an RBI. Cam Simpson had one hit and one RBI, and Sam Scarborough had one hit and one RBI.
Hewitt’s win, coupled with Spain Park’s victory over Chelsea, forced a tie for first place in Area 6. AHSAA tie-break rules gave Hewitt the area championship.
Hewitt will host the first round of the playoffs Friday night against Hoover with a possible Saturday game.