Spartans Capture Area Title In Dramatic Fashion, Head To Playoffs

MOUNTAIN BROOK, AL - The Mountain Brook Spartans are headed to the Alabama High School Athletic Association baseball playoffs after capturing the Class 7A Area 6 championship with a walk-off home run by Clay Stearns in the bottom of the 8th inning.

The game was tied 1-1 after 7, with the Spartans riding the spectacular pitching of Parker Garrison, who went the distance and scattered 5 hits and 1 run. Stearns hit his blast in the first extra inning, which gave the Spartans a win and home field advantage for the first round of the state playoffs.

Mountain Brook's 5-3 win over Spain Park Thursday guaranteed them a spot in the playoffs but the win over Oak Mountain and the area championship means a much more favorable path to a possible state title. The Spartans have been riding the hard hitting of Stearns, Garrison and Wilson Higgins for the last few games, and hope the pitching dominance also continues through the playoffs.

This week, the Spartans will host James Clemens in the first round of the Class 7A playoffs. A doubleheader will begin Friday at 4:30 p.m., with a third game to be played Saturday if necessary.

Image from Mountain Brook Sports