Kell vs Central, Carrollton (GHSA Class AAAA 2nd Round) - Central's Trent Harrison (30) delivers a pitch during Game 1 of a double-header in the 2nd round of the State AAAA tournament at Kell. SPECIAL / Cecil Copeland
Kell vs Central, Carrollton (GHSA Class AAAA 2nd Round) - Central's Bryce Knight (2) makes the catch for an out during Game 1 of a double-header in the 2nd round of the State AAAA tournament at Kell. SPECIAL / Cecil Copeland
Kell vs Central, Carrollton (GHSA Class AAAA 2nd Round) - Kell's Caleb Woodruff (2) drives this pitch during Game 1 of a double-header in the 2nd round of the State AAAA tournament at Kell. SPECIAL / Cecil Copeland
Kell vs Central, Carrollton (GHSA Class AAAA 2nd Round) - Kell's Patrick Honeyman (6) receives the ball for an out against Central during Game 1 of a double-header in the 2nd round of the State AAAA tournament at Kell. SPECIAL / Cecil Copeland
Kell vs Central, Carrollton (GHSA Class AAAA 2nd Round) - Central's Grant Chaffin (14) slides safely into second base as Kell's Mason Hillman (7) is late with the tag during Game 1 of a double-header in the 2nd round of the State AAAA tournament at Kell. SPECIAL / Cecil Copeland
Kell vs Central, Carrollton (GHSA Class AAAA 2nd Round) - Central's Grant Chaffin (14) slides safely into second base as Kell's Mason Hillman (7) is late with the tag during Game 1 of a double-header in the 2nd round of the State AAAA tournament at Kell. SPECIAL / Cecil Copeland
Kell vs Central, Carrollton (GHSA Class AAAA 2nd Round) - Central's Bradley Willingham (24) makes the throw to first base during Game 1 of a double-header in the 2nd round of the State AAAA tournament at Kell. SPECIAL / Cecil Copeland
Kell vs Central, Carrollton (GHSA Class AAAA 2nd Round) - Kell's Patrick Honeyman (6) drives this pitch during Game 1 of a double-header in the 2nd round of the State AAAA tournament at Kell. SPECIAL / Cecil Copeland
Kell vs Central, Carrollton (GHSA Class AAAA 2nd Round) - Kell's Patrick Honeyman (6) dodges an inside pitch during Game 1 of a double-header in the 2nd round of the State AAAA tournament at Kell. SPECIAL / Cecil Copeland
Kell vs Central, Carrollton (GHSA Class AAAA 2nd Round) - Kell's Patrick Honeyman (6) looks for a pitch during Game 1 of a double-header in the 2nd round of the State AAAA tournament at Kell. SPECIAL / Cecil Copeland
Kell vs Central, Carrollton (GHSA Class AAAA 2nd Round) - Central's Luke White (17) gets back to first as Kell's Patrick Honeyman (6) tries to get the tag during Game 1 of a double-header in the 2nd round of the State AAAA tournament at Kell. SPECIAL / Cecil Copeland
Kell vs Central, Carrollton (GHSA Class AAAA 2nd Round) - Kell's Evan Brand throws to first base during Game 1 of a double-header in the 2nd round of the State AAAA tournament at Kell. SPECIAL / Cecil Copeland
Kell vs Central, Carrollton (GHSA Class AAAA 2nd Round) - Kell's Evan Brand checks the Central runner at first base during Game 1 of a double-header in the 2nd round of the State AAAA tournament at Kell. SPECIAL / Cecil Copeland
Kell vs Central, Carrollton (GHSA Class AAAA 2nd Round) - Kell's Mason Hillman (7) with the throw to first base during Game 1 of a double-header in the 2nd round of the State AAAA tournament at Kell. SPECIAL / Cecil Copeland
Kell vs Central, Carrollton (GHSA Class AAAA 2nd Round) - Kell's Zach Simmons (14) takes this pitch during Game 1 of a double-header in the 2nd round of the State AAAA tournament at Kell. SPECIAL / Cecil Copeland
Kell vs Central, Carrollton (GHSA Class AAAA 2nd Round) - Central's Trent Harrison (30) with the pick-off attempt to first base during Game 1 of a double-header in the 2nd round of the State AAAA tournament at Kell. SPECIAL / Cecil Copeland
Kell vs Central, Carrollton (GHSA Class AAAA 2nd Round) - Central's Trent Harrison (30) delivers a pitch during Game 1 of a double-header in the 2nd round of the State AAAA tournament at Kell. SPECIAL / Cecil Copeland
Kell vs Central, Carrollton (GHSA Class AAAA 2nd Round) - Central's Trent Harrison (30) delivers a pitch during Game 1 of a double-header in the 2nd round of the State AAAA tournament at Kell. SPECIAL / Cecil Copeland
Kell vs Central, Carrollton (GHSA Class AAAA 2nd Round) - Kell's Evan Brand (17) is tagged out at second by Central's Bradley Willingham during Game 1 of a double-header in the 2nd round of the State AAAA tournament at Kell. SPECIAL / Cecil Copeland
Kell vs Central, Carrollton (GHSA Class AAAA 2nd Round) - Kell's Evan Brand (17) is tagged out at second by Central's Bradley Willingham during Game 1 of a double-header in the 2nd round of the State AAAA tournament at Kell. SPECIAL / Cecil Copeland
Kell vs Central, Carrollton (GHSA Class AAAA 2nd Round) - Central's Asher Allen takes a swing during Game 1 of a double-header in the 2nd round of the State AAAA tournament at Kell. SPECIAL / Cecil Copeland
Kell vs Central, Carrollton (GHSA Class AAAA 2nd Round) - Central's Blake Culverhouse (1) is driven back to first as Kell's Patrick Honeyman (6) waits on the throw during Game 1 of a double-header in the 2nd round of the State AAAA tournament at Kell. SPECIAL / Cecil Copeland
Kell vs Central, Carrollton (GHSA Class AAAA 2nd Round) - Central's Blake Culverhouse (1) is driven back to first as Kell's Patrick Honeyman (6) waits on the throw during Game 1 of a double-header in the 2nd round of the State AAAA tournament at Kell. SPECIAL / Cecil Copeland
Kell vs Central, Carrollton (GHSA Class AAAA 2nd Round) - Kell's Evan Brand delivers a pitch to Central during Game 1 of a double-header in the 2nd round of the State AAAA tournament at Kell. SPECIAL / Cecil Copeland
Kell vs Central, Carrollton (GHSA Class AAAA 2nd Round) - Kell's Evan Brand spins and throws to first in a pick-off attempt against Central during Game 1 of a double-header in the 2nd round of the State AAAA tournament at Kell. SPECIAL / Cecil Copeland
Kell vs Central, Carrollton (GHSA Class AAAA 2nd Round) - Kell's Evan Brand delivers a pitch to Central during Game 1 of a double-header in the 2nd round of the State AAAA tournament at Kell. SPECIAL / Cecil Copeland
Kell vs Central, Carrollton (GHSA Class AAAA 2nd Round) - Kell's Evan Brand delivers a pitch to Central during Game 1 of a double-header in the 2nd round of the State AAAA tournament at Kell. SPECIAL / Cecil Copeland
Kell vs Central, Carrollton (GHSA Class AAAA 2nd Round) - Kell gathers prior to taking on the Central Lions in Game 1 of a double-header in the 2nd round of the State AAAA tournament. SPECIAL / Cecil Copeland
Kell vs Central, Carrollton (GHSA Class AAAA 2nd Round) - Central head coach, Riley Presnell, addresses his team prior to Game 1 of a double-header in the 2nd round of the State AAAA tournament at Kell. SPECIAL / Cecil Copeland
Kell vs Central, Carrollton (GHSA Class AAAA 2nd Round) - Central's players warm up prior to Game 1 of a double-header in the 2nd round of the State AAAA tournament at Kell. SPECIAL / Cecil Copeland
Kell vs Central, Carrollton (GHSA Class AAAA 2nd Round) - Central's players warm up prior to Game 1 of a double-header in the 2nd round of the State AAAA tournament at Kell. SPECIAL / Cecil Copeland
Kell's Evan Brand delivers a pitch against Central, Carrollton during Game 1 of a doubleheader in the second round of the Class AAAA state tournament at Kell.
Kell vs Central, Carrollton (GHSA Class AAAA 2nd Round) - Central's Trent Harrison (30) delivers a pitch during Game 1 of a double-header in the 2nd round of the State AAAA tournament at Kell. SPECIAL / Cecil Copeland
Cecil Copeland 2025,cecil@theathleticimage.com
Kell vs Central, Carrollton (GHSA Class AAAA 2nd Round) - Central's Trent Harrison (30) delivers a pitch during Game 1 of a double-header in the 2nd round of the State AAAA tournament at Kell. SPECIAL / Cecil Copeland
Cecil Copeland 2025,cecil@theathleticimage.com
Kell vs Central, Carrollton (GHSA Class AAAA 2nd Round) - Central's Bryce Knight (2) makes the catch for an out during Game 1 of a double-header in the 2nd round of the State AAAA tournament at Kell. SPECIAL / Cecil Copeland
Cecil Copeland 2025,cecil@theathleticimage.com
Kell vs Central, Carrollton (GHSA Class AAAA 2nd Round) - Kell's Caleb Woodruff (2) drives this pitch during Game 1 of a double-header in the 2nd round of the State AAAA tournament at Kell. SPECIAL / Cecil Copeland
Cecil Copeland 2025,cecil@theathleticimage.com
Kell vs Central, Carrollton (GHSA Class AAAA 2nd Round) - Kell's Patrick Honeyman (6) receives the ball for an out against Central during Game 1 of a double-header in the 2nd round of the State AAAA tournament at Kell. SPECIAL / Cecil Copeland
Special - Cecil Copeland
Kell’s Evan Brand delivers a pitch during Tuesday’s Game 1 against Central (Carrollton) in the second round of the Class AAAA state tournament.
Cecil Copeland 2025,cecil@theathleticimage.com
Kell vs Central, Carrollton (GHSA Class AAAA 2nd Round) - Central's Grant Chaffin (14) slides safely into second base as Kell's Mason Hillman (7) is late with the tag during Game 1 of a double-header in the 2nd round of the State AAAA tournament at Kell. SPECIAL / Cecil Copeland
Cecil Copeland 2025,cecil@theathleticimage.com
Kell vs Central, Carrollton (GHSA Class AAAA 2nd Round) - Central's Grant Chaffin (14) slides safely into second base as Kell's Mason Hillman (7) is late with the tag during Game 1 of a double-header in the 2nd round of the State AAAA tournament at Kell. SPECIAL / Cecil Copeland
Cecil Copeland 2025,cecil@theathleticimage.com
Kell vs Central, Carrollton (GHSA Class AAAA 2nd Round) - Central's Bradley Willingham (24) makes the throw to first base during Game 1 of a double-header in the 2nd round of the State AAAA tournament at Kell. SPECIAL / Cecil Copeland
Cecil Copeland 2025,cecil@theathleticimage.com
Kell vs Central, Carrollton (GHSA Class AAAA 2nd Round) - Kell's Patrick Honeyman (6) drives this pitch during Game 1 of a double-header in the 2nd round of the State AAAA tournament at Kell. SPECIAL / Cecil Copeland
Cecil Copeland 2025,cecil@theathleticimage.com
Kell vs Central, Carrollton (GHSA Class AAAA 2nd Round) - Kell's Patrick Honeyman (6) dodges an inside pitch during Game 1 of a double-header in the 2nd round of the State AAAA tournament at Kell. SPECIAL / Cecil Copeland
Cecil Copeland 2025,cecil@theathleticimage.com
Kell vs Central, Carrollton (GHSA Class AAAA 2nd Round) - Kell's Patrick Honeyman (6) looks for a pitch during Game 1 of a double-header in the 2nd round of the State AAAA tournament at Kell. SPECIAL / Cecil Copeland
Cecil Copeland 2025,cecil@theathleticimage.com
Kell vs Central, Carrollton (GHSA Class AAAA 2nd Round) - Central's Luke White (17) gets back to first as Kell's Patrick Honeyman (6) tries to get the tag during Game 1 of a double-header in the 2nd round of the State AAAA tournament at Kell. SPECIAL / Cecil Copeland
Cecil Copeland 2025,cecil@theathleticimage.com
Kell vs Central, Carrollton (GHSA Class AAAA 2nd Round) - Kell's Evan Brand throws to first base during Game 1 of a double-header in the 2nd round of the State AAAA tournament at Kell. SPECIAL / Cecil Copeland
Cecil Copeland 2025,cecil@theathleticimage.com
Kell vs Central, Carrollton (GHSA Class AAAA 2nd Round) - Kell's Evan Brand checks the Central runner at first base during Game 1 of a double-header in the 2nd round of the State AAAA tournament at Kell. SPECIAL / Cecil Copeland
Cecil Copeland 2025,cecil@theathleticimage.com
Kell vs Central, Carrollton (GHSA Class AAAA 2nd Round) - Kell's Mason Hillman (7) with the throw to first base during Game 1 of a double-header in the 2nd round of the State AAAA tournament at Kell. SPECIAL / Cecil Copeland
Cecil Copeland 2025,cecil@theathleticimage.com
Kell vs Central, Carrollton (GHSA Class AAAA 2nd Round) - Kell's Zach Simmons (14) takes this pitch during Game 1 of a double-header in the 2nd round of the State AAAA tournament at Kell. SPECIAL / Cecil Copeland
Cecil Copeland 2025,cecil@theathleticimage.com
Kell vs Central, Carrollton (GHSA Class AAAA 2nd Round) - Central's Trent Harrison (30) with the pick-off attempt to first base during Game 1 of a double-header in the 2nd round of the State AAAA tournament at Kell. SPECIAL / Cecil Copeland
Cecil Copeland 2025,cecil@theathleticimage.com
Kell vs Central, Carrollton (GHSA Class AAAA 2nd Round) - Central's Trent Harrison (30) delivers a pitch during Game 1 of a double-header in the 2nd round of the State AAAA tournament at Kell. SPECIAL / Cecil Copeland
Cecil Copeland 2025,cecil@theathleticimage.com
Kell vs Central, Carrollton (GHSA Class AAAA 2nd Round) - Central's Trent Harrison (30) delivers a pitch during Game 1 of a double-header in the 2nd round of the State AAAA tournament at Kell. SPECIAL / Cecil Copeland
Cecil Copeland 2025,cecil@theathleticimage.com
Kell vs Central, Carrollton (GHSA Class AAAA 2nd Round) - Kell's Evan Brand (17) is tagged out at second by Central's Bradley Willingham during Game 1 of a double-header in the 2nd round of the State AAAA tournament at Kell. SPECIAL / Cecil Copeland
Cecil Copeland 2025,cecil@theathleticimage.com
Kell vs Central, Carrollton (GHSA Class AAAA 2nd Round) - Kell's Evan Brand (17) is tagged out at second by Central's Bradley Willingham during Game 1 of a double-header in the 2nd round of the State AAAA tournament at Kell. SPECIAL / Cecil Copeland
Cecil Copeland 2025,cecil@theathleticimage.com
Kell vs Central, Carrollton (GHSA Class AAAA 2nd Round) - Central's Asher Allen takes a swing during Game 1 of a double-header in the 2nd round of the State AAAA tournament at Kell. SPECIAL / Cecil Copeland
Cecil Copeland 2025,cecil@theathleticimage.com
Kell vs Central, Carrollton (GHSA Class AAAA 2nd Round) - Central's Blake Culverhouse (1) is driven back to first as Kell's Patrick Honeyman (6) waits on the throw during Game 1 of a double-header in the 2nd round of the State AAAA tournament at Kell. SPECIAL / Cecil Copeland
Cecil Copeland 2025,cecil@theathleticimage.com
Kell vs Central, Carrollton (GHSA Class AAAA 2nd Round) - Central's Blake Culverhouse (1) is driven back to first as Kell's Patrick Honeyman (6) waits on the throw during Game 1 of a double-header in the 2nd round of the State AAAA tournament at Kell. SPECIAL / Cecil Copeland
Cecil Copeland 2025,cecil@theathleticimage.com
Kell vs Central, Carrollton (GHSA Class AAAA 2nd Round) - Kell's Evan Brand delivers a pitch to Central during Game 1 of a double-header in the 2nd round of the State AAAA tournament at Kell. SPECIAL / Cecil Copeland
Cecil Copeland 2025,cecil@theathleticimage.com
Kell vs Central, Carrollton (GHSA Class AAAA 2nd Round) - Kell's Evan Brand spins and throws to first in a pick-off attempt against Central during Game 1 of a double-header in the 2nd round of the State AAAA tournament at Kell. SPECIAL / Cecil Copeland
Cecil Copeland 2025,cecil@theathleticimage.com
Kell vs Central, Carrollton (GHSA Class AAAA 2nd Round) - Kell's Evan Brand delivers a pitch to Central during Game 1 of a double-header in the 2nd round of the State AAAA tournament at Kell. SPECIAL / Cecil Copeland
Cecil Copeland 2025,cecil@theathleticimage.com
Kell vs Central, Carrollton (GHSA Class AAAA 2nd Round) - Kell's Evan Brand delivers a pitch to Central during Game 1 of a double-header in the 2nd round of the State AAAA tournament at Kell. SPECIAL / Cecil Copeland
Cecil Copeland 2025,cecil@theathleticimage.com
Kell vs Central, Carrollton (GHSA Class AAAA 2nd Round) - Kell gathers prior to taking on the Central Lions in Game 1 of a double-header in the 2nd round of the State AAAA tournament. SPECIAL / Cecil Copeland
Cecil Copeland 2025,cecil@theathleticimage.com
Kell vs Central, Carrollton (GHSA Class AAAA 2nd Round) - Central head coach, Riley Presnell, addresses his team prior to Game 1 of a double-header in the 2nd round of the State AAAA tournament at Kell. SPECIAL / Cecil Copeland
Cecil Copeland 2025,cecil@theathleticimage.com
Kell vs Central, Carrollton (GHSA Class AAAA 2nd Round) - Central's players warm up prior to Game 1 of a double-header in the 2nd round of the State AAAA tournament at Kell. SPECIAL / Cecil Copeland
Cecil Copeland 2025,cecil@theathleticimage.com
Kell vs Central, Carrollton (GHSA Class AAAA 2nd Round) - Central's players warm up prior to Game 1 of a double-header in the 2nd round of the State AAAA tournament at Kell. SPECIAL / Cecil Copeland
Cecil Copeland 2025,cecil@theathleticimage.com
Kell's Evan Brand delivers a pitch against Central, Carrollton during Game 1 of a doubleheader in the second round of the Class AAAA state tournament at Kell.
MARIETTA — Kell swept Central (Carrollton) in the second round of the Class AAAA state playoffs Tuesday, winning 5-2 and 5-0.
The victory advanced the Longhorns (24-8) to the state quarterfinals, where they will travel to face Wayne County on May 7.
“I feel excellent,” Kell coach Todd Harris said with a smile. “This is the most unselfish group I’ve coached in 26 years. We did what we needed to win the series.”
Trailing 1-0 in Game 1, Preston Bottoms hit a home run in the bottom of the fourth inning. Mason Hillman had a hit, Zach Simmons was walked and Patrick Honeyman brought in a run to give the Longhorns a 3-0 lead.
With two on and two out in the sixth, Bottoms drove in a run to give Kell a 5-1 lead.
Evan Brand was the winning pitcher after scattering 11 hits and striking out two.
Kell grabbed a lead in the third inning of Game 2. Caleb Woodruff and Brand started with hits, Cooper Moreno walked and Bottoms cleared the bases for a 3-0 lead.
The Longhorns scored two more runs in the fifth inning. Simmons had a RBI with two runners on base.
Simmons earned the win in Game 2 as he allowed only two hits and struck out seven.
“We’ve relied on pitching and playing really good defense all year,” Harris said. “We do a good job of holding runners and hitting the strike zone. We also do a good job of keeping hitters off-balance.”
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