LEBANON, Tenn. - As his teammates gathered their bats and gloves and cleared out of the dugout, Baylor's Teddy Lepcio lingered a bit.
The last to step out into the sunshine Wednesday afternoon at Wilson Central High School, the senior wanted to soak in every moment of an 11-7 win over rival McCallie that advanced the Red Raiders into today's TSSAA Division II-AA baseball state championship round.
"This is truly a blessing," Lepcio said as he adjusted the red ballcap atop his head. "For four years I've wanted to experience this. Last year McCallie sent us home, so to avenge that loss and do it in a way that gets us into the title game means the world to me and all of us."
One of only three seniors on the roster, Lepcio had two hits, including a two-run double to help Baylor return to the title matchup for the first time in a decade. The Red Raiders will look to add to their two championships - the most recent of which came in 2006 - when they play Memphis University School at 1:30 p.m. EDT today at Middle Tennessee State University.
MUS scored a run in the bottom of the seventh inning to defeat McCallie 6-5 in the losers-bracket final late Wednesday evening, eliminating the Blue Tornado (19-16) and advancing into the title round.
The middle of Baylor's order continued its recent hitting tear as Cooper Kinney, Lepcio, Stan King and Christian Martin - the Nos. 3-6 batters - went a combined 9-for-17, including an extra-base hit apiece, with nine RBIs against McCallie.
"Our whole team is hitting so well right now that pitchers can't really pitch around anyone," Lepcio said. "To score 19 runs in two state tournament games is just unbelievable."
Baylor (23-6) jumped out to an early lead with four runs in the top of the first, all coming with two outs and three of those driven in by hitters facing two-strike counts. McCallie struck for three runs in the third to cut the deficit to 4-3, but Baylor answered back by scoring at least one run in each of the final four innings.
Junior right-hander Greyson Linderman earned the win, allowing four hits in five innings.
"Guys are square up no matter what the count is," Baylor coach Greg Elie said. "We couldn't ask for a better day at the plate. Even our outs have been loud. We're making solid contact up and down the lineup.
"We may not have many of them, but I wouldn't trade our seniors for anybody. The example they set is the reason we're having so much success. The younger guys know if they follow their lead, good things will happen."
Contact Stephen Hargis at shargis@timesfreepress.com or (423) 757-6293. Follow him on Twitter @StephenHargis.