Walton overcame a disappointing Game 2 defeat the previous night, by rallying for a 5-4 victory over visiting Kennesaw Mountain in Wednesday’s decisive Game 3 and advancing to the Class 6A state championship where they will host Parkview. In Game 2, Walton led 3-0 entering the bottom half of the final inning and saw Kennesaw Mountain rally for a 4-3 victory that ended on a wild pitch. In Game 3, however, it was the Raiders turn to pull off a dramatic comeback. Kennesaw Mountain led 4-3 entering the bottom of the 6th inning before Walton’s Jason Rooks drove home the winning run with a 2-run homer. Chris Hummel pitched a complete game for Walton, earning the victory.
Class AAA
Jefferson 5, Westminster 2: This was Jefferson’s fourth final four appearance but it was not until Wednesday’s Game 3 against Westminster and seven clutch innings pitched with just one earned run by senior Jake Franklin, that the Dragons have finally advanced to the state championship for the first time in program history. At the plate, Franklin hit an RBI single in the bottom of the second inning to help build a 3-0 lead. Westminster cut it to 3-1 in the top of the 4th inning, but Franklin and Hunter Thomas reached the bases in the bottom of the 5th inning and Ethan Garner popped to shallow right where Westminster’s right fielder and second baseman collided and allowed the two to score on the error to make it 5-1. Jefferson will host defending champion Blessed Trinity in the finals on Saturday.