Spring Fling: ECS defeats University School of Jackson in championship win

By John Varlas
Memphis Commercial Appeal

MURFREESBORO — ECS senior Josh Rooker credits his "good looks" to his mother Lynne. He and his teammates all looked awfully good Thursday.

Evangelical Christian School centerfielder Hunter Childress grabs an outfield hit for an out during action against University School of Jackson in their TSSAA Division II Class A championship baseball game in Murfreesboro, Tenn. ECS took home the champion after defeating UJS 9-1.

Rooker had two hits and drove in three runs as the Eagles won their sixth title in school history, 9-1 over University School of Jackson in the Division II-A final at Reese Smith Field. ECS' championship total is second only to CBHS in Shelby County.

And Rooker's championship total is now equal to his siblings.

His older brother Brent, the Mississippi State standout who was recently named SEC player of the year, won two championships when he played at ECS while their sister Alden won two titles with the girls soccer team.

"I'm the third Rooker with two state titles," he laughed. "If you ask my dad, he'll say the athletic ability came from him. He caught at the University of Memphis and my mom played one year of tennis at Baylor before transferring to Memphis.

"We'd been here before but (Brent) just told me it's baseball. Don't try to do too much."

Rooker is a part of ECS' terrific senior class which formed the backbone of this year's team. And that group all contributed to the victory which ended the Eagles' season at a stellar 31-4.

"That was one of our goals," said Rooker. "To get through the season with less than five losses."

Rooker got it going with a two-run single in the first before ECS broke the game wide open with a five-run second.

Virginia Tech signee Riley Watkins, a Mr. Baseball finalist earlier in the week who ended his career with a 3 for 4, 3-RBI performance, drove in a run in the inning as did Keegan Westbrook, who also finished the day with three RBI.

Westbrook picked up the win, holding the Bruins — who advanced through the loser's bracket — to four hits over five innings.

Senior Hunter Childress, who drove in two runs in the bottom of the seventh to defeat USJ on Wednesday, went 2 for 2 and scored twice.

"I think we have better talent than anyone," said Watkins and judging from the results it would be tough to argue.

"We knew they didn't have any pitching left ... so we wanted to jump on them early. Go out there, swing the bats and smack them in the mouth.

"We never gave up even (Wednesday) when we were behind. We've had our ups and downs but the seniors are what makes this team special."

Reach John Varlas at john.varlas@commercialappeal.com or on Twitter @johnvarlas.