Lions to play for title on Monday

Published 8:08 am Sunday, April 29, 2012

Christian Heritage’s varsity baseball team sent its two seniors out with a dominant performance and now must get ready for a one-game playoff to decide the GISA Region 4-2A champion.

The Lions won 9-0 at home against Chattanooga’s Grace Academy on Saturday, Christian Heritage’s senior day.

Pate Duddleston played with a broken finger, but drew a walk, and fellow senior Chase Kranzlein went 3-for-3 with a triple and four RBIs to lead the Lions (15-4).

“We’re trying to rest Duddleston for the playoffs, but it was fun to see Chase with a big day,” Christian Heritage coach Noah Stokes said.

Trevor Brown started for the Lions and pitched three innings, allowing three hits and striking out six. Brady Souther pitched two innings, allowed one hit and struck out three. Spencer Robbins pitched the final two, allowing three hits and striking out two.

Ian Robbins went 3-for-4, Spencer Robbins was 2-for-3 with a triple, Tre Mason was 2-for-3 and Trevor Brown was 2-for-2.

Stokes believes strong pitching and defense is the team’s strong point and will be something to rely on Monday when the Lions face The Heritage School for the Georgia Independent School Association Region 4-2A crown in a 4:30 p.m. game at Hunter Park in Douglasville.

“That’s kind of key for us. Of course that is baseball,” Stokes said. “If you throw strikes and play good defense, you give yourself a chance against anybody.”

The winner between the Lions and Heritage — who split their season series and both finished region play with one loss — will capture the region’s No. 1 seed heading into the Class 2A state playoffs.

“Hopefully we can carry this (strong play) over into Monday and get ready for the playoffs next week,” Stokes said. “They’re a quality team, quality program. They’re used to winning and finishing at the top.”