Rossview's sixth-inning rally propels Hawks to first baseball state title game

Clarksville Leaf-Chronicle

MURFREESBORO — Rossview's dramatic rally in the sixth inning has produced a certified Cinderella story as the Hawks knocked off Collierville for the second straight day Thursday, 8-7, to earn a spot in the Class AAA baseball state championship game.

"Words can't even express this feeling," Rossview coach Parker Holman said. "Guys you'd never expect to get a chance to do this, got their chance and they came through for us."

Rossview players congratulate starting pitcher Bracken Rice after getting the third out after the second inning against Collierville in the state baseball tournament Thursday at Siegel High School.

This is Rossview's first state tournament experience and it'll play for a state championship at 5 p.m. Friday against the defending Class AAA state champs, Brentwood, at Reese Smith Jr. Field on the campus of Middle Tennessee State.

The Hawks (32-12) have had an unorthodox season that began with storm damage to their baseball field before the season began.

But with the season on the line, the Hawks have managed to push through and they can thank a rather unorthodox rally for their season continuing.

"We had two kids whose first-ever varsity experience came in this state tournament game," Holman said.

Rossview snags a the ball to tag out a Collierville base runner who tries to steal second base during their state baseball tournament game Thursday at Siegel High School.

Freshman Cameron Greathouse and sophomore Jackson Izalt pitched 1⅔ innings combined to keep Rossview in the game after sophomore Bracken Rice started the game on the mound.

"I told both of those kids to go out there and have fun," Parker said. "Trust the guys behind them. I told them they've faced the best players in the state every day in intrasquad scrimmages and practices and this game is no different."

Frustration began to show early in Thursday's game as Rossview tried to adjust to Collierville pitching while watching the Dragons build a 5-1 lead. Strikeouts led to dugout arguments, but ultimately Rossview settled down.

"That's been this team all year," Holman said. "It's like a family. But their edginess is what makes them special. They don't like to lose."

Rossview runner Logan Prairie slides into second base as the Collierville throw misses its mark during the Class AAA state basleball tournament Thursday at Siegel High School.

Gino Avros' two-run triple in the sixth tied the game at 5-5 and sophomore Gage Bradley delivered the big blow with a three-run home run that gave the Hawks the lead.

Rossview will go with Bradley on the mound Friday as the Hawks try to give Montgomery County and the city of Clarksville its first Class AAA state baseball title.

Rossview's inexperience in state tournament play may have worked to its advantage. Not many predicted the Hawks to be in this position and Rossview has played loose for much of the state tournament.

They've been helped by torrid hitting, and they'll need that hitting to continue Friday against the Bruins.

"We just needed a chance, an opportunity," Holman said about Thursday's win. "We just needed a break and when we got it, we took advantage of it. I feel like this team has more left in them. At least one more left in them."

Reach Prep writer George Robinson at georgerobinson@theleafchronicle.com or (931) 245-0747 and on Twitter @Cville_Sports.