Southern
Sports & Travel
Magnolia
Heights completed the season all coaches and players dream of last night in
Senatobia as the Chiefs cemented their place in MAIS history with one of the
most dominant stretches ever seen in the association’s 44 year baseball history.
Colin
Liles went the distance in picking up his tenth win and struck out eleven and
freshman Dustin Skelton went 3 for 4 on the night to lead Magnolia Heights to a
6-1 win over fourth ranked Washington to give the Chiefs their second consecutive Class AAA
Division-II State Championship and a perfect 37-0 season mark.
All
but one of Magnolia Height’s starters collected at least one hit on the night
with the exception of senior Jacob Billingsley. Billingsley, who led the Chiefs
in RBI’s during the season, was on the receiving end of four walks.
The
start of the game was delayed two hours due to a heavy downpour one hour prior
to when the first pitch was scheduled to be delivered and the delay seemed to
have affected Magnolia Heights starter Colin Liles who saw his first pitched
drilled into centerfield by Washington leadoff hitter Chase Palasini.
Carson
Smyly’s ground-out enabled Palasini to advance to third base and following a Colin
Liles strikeout of Michael Bruton to notch the second out Washington would
get on the board first when Walker Coleman’s single to left field brought
Palasini home to give the fourth ranked Generals a quick 1-0 advantage.
Magnolia
Heights was kept in check by Washington starter Michael Bruton over the first
two innings but the Chiefs would come alive in their half of the third inning.
Dustin
Skelton got things going as the freshman lined a leadoff double into
centerfield. Adam Shackleford (Courtesy runner) advanced to third on a fly out
to right field and was brought home on Luke Latham’s infield hit with one out
in the inning.
Washington
would walk Jacob Billingsley only to see sophomore David Herrington single to
right field and bring home Shackleford but Latham’s attempt to score from
second base would result in the senior being called out at the plate. (Photo at top of page)
Magnolia
Heights grabbed their first lead of the night at 2-1 as Jamell Newson beat out
a throw to first base which scored Billingsley.
After
allowing three first inning hits Colin Liles would settle in and retire twelve
straight Washington batters and in the bottom of the fourth inning Magnolia
Heights erupted.
Jackson
Pitts hit a one-out double to centerfield and courtesy runner Cole Kelly would
register the third run of the evening when Dustin Skelton singled to
centerfield.
Dalton
Skelton followed with a double to the centerfield wall and Magnolia Heights
stretched their lead to 4-1 on Luke Latham’s sacrifice fly to right field that
scored Dustin Skelton from third base.
Things
would deteriorate for Washington after Jacob Billingsley drew another
intentional walk.
David
Herrington’s pop-up was misplayed and allowed Dalton Skelton and Billingsley to
score and give the Chiefs a 6-1 cushion.
Washington
would strand two runners in both the fifth and sixth innings and Colin Liles
would close the door on the Generals in the seventh inning.
Liles (Photo right) struck out Timothy Stone and Roman Fratesi’s ground-out registered the second
out.
Magnolia
Height’s rush to the mound for the traditional dog-pile ensued after Liles sat
down Gore Pulliam to put the wrap on a dominating 2013 season with a 6-1 win.
Colin
Liles (10-0) went the distance striking out eleven and the senior helped his
cause by going 2 for 3 at the plate.
Freshman
Dustin Skelton went 3 for 4, Luke Latham 2 for 4 and sophomore David Herrington
had two RBI's in the win.
Michael
Bruton took the loss for Washington (21-13).
The
win was the fifth state baseball title for Magnolia Heights and third in the
past four seasons under head coach Chris McMinn, now in his eighth season in
Senatobia.
It
was also Magnolia Height’s first back to back championships and eleventh state
title series appearance.
The
discussion now shifts to where does this Magnolia Heights squad belong in the
group of best MAIS teams ever?
A
starting point in that discussion should be their 69-5 record over the past two
seasons.
Post Game with Magnolia Heights Head Coach Chris McMinn
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| Magnolia Heights School - 2013 Class AAA Division-II State Champions |
