Providence Christian's Run Ends in State Baseball Finals

After making it three straight series by winning in game 2, the Providence Christian Stars hoped in the championship against Hebron Christian lightning would strike again. But the Hebron Lions swept the Providence Stars 6-5 and 6-3 to win the school's first state championship since coming into the GHSA.

The Stars battled back to take a 5-4 lead in game one only to have light-hitting P.J. Westbury hit a walk-off single to win the game. They then watched as Mill Creek transfer Mason Felts mowed down 16 to lead his team to victory. Jordan Hillyer hit two home runs, one in each game, for the Lions.

The Lions jumped out to a 4-0 lead in game one as Christian Davila hit two solo home runs and Hillyer hit a 2-run homer. The Stars eventually grabbed a 5-4 lead. But the heroics in the bottom of the seventh were led by Westbury, who had a 2-run single.

For Tom Burgee and Tad Stephens this was a special season. Both had seniors playing for the Hebron Lions and both knew they would be leaving after this season. 

"Our kids bought into the system and I am proud of their accomplishment," said head coach Heath Kennedy. "It was a great opportunity for him (Westbury after he had made an error). (Kevin) Burgee has been a guy for us all four years for us. He's been huge. You wouldn't want anyone else on the mound."

And the older Burgee was excited for his son's accomplishments as well. "Our first year we were 14-11 and coach Kennedy turned it around," said the elder Burgee. "The year we won four games two of them were to Yeshiva and now we knew we were able to compete for a state. And winning it in his final year with my son being a senior, it doesn't get any better."

Stephens, who was the P.A. announcer, had two sons on the team and he was very excited about the championship. "I've seen both my sons play football and baseball and for one it's his last game so I would say I am blessed," Stephens said. "As a dad you couldn't ask for anything more than the run in the playoffs we had."

In game two Mason Felts was on fire. After getting two outs in the first by a popup and a groundout, Felts retired every out except a fly ball in the fifth inning till the seventh via strikeout. In the seventh inning he got a double play before pinch hitter Mike James ended the game as his 16th strikeout.

"He's a big game pitcher," Kennedy said. "That's the kind of stuff you dream about."

Felts admittedly was nervous, although you couldn't tell from his pitching. He allowed a home run to Christin Stewart in the bottom of the first. It was Stewart's 26th home run, which is now the state record for a single season. Felts also allowed a solo home run to Alan Skinner in the bottom of the fifth inning. In the seventh he gave up a run for the final margin.

"I just came out and just was excited to be in the state championship," Felts said. "I was a little nervous. I got a lot of respect for that team. I enjoyed playing them. I hope we meet up again next year." 

"Take your hat off to the kid number ten (Westbury). He just came through for them," said Providence head coach Adam Cantrell. "They battled and got some men on base and it was a bad pitch on my part. He hit a double into the gap and game over. We battled hard and showed a lot of heart throughout the season. We ran into a good Hebron team and they were better than us today."

Stewart's dad, Anthony, was proud of the way his son's team battled and said he'd trade the record for the win but was proud of the Christin's hard work this year. "It's really a blessing to see his hard work pay off," said the elder Stewart. "It's unfortunate that they lost the game and came up on the short end but you have to take your hats off to the Lions."