Greene Central Rams Capture First State Title Since 2000
6/4/24
By:
Tiffany Walston
Riley Radford 4 RBI and Homerun Help Secure Victory
Greene Central Rams Capture First State Title Since 2000
The Greene Central Rams (28-1) dethroned the reigning champions, the Burns Bulldogs (31-2), to bring home the state title for the first time since 2000. The Rams set the tone in the opening game of the 2A Baseball State Championships on Friday night, securing a hard-fought 2-0 victory. Dominant pitching defined the game, with both teams locked in a pitchers' duel.
Austin Hardy delivered another dominant performance on the mound Friday, stifling Burns with his electric pitching. Hardy was untouchable, not allowing a single earned run while striking out seven batters over six impressive innings. Burns had no answers as Hardy showcased his brilliance yet again.
Reflecting on the game and his performance in game one, Hardy stated "I had command of every pitch and trusted my defense to make the plays the needed to make. Burns had a great pitcher on the mound but we have seen good arms all year."
Game 2: Offensive Explosion
In Game 2 on Saturday, the Rams' offense took center stage. Riley Radford led the charge, going 2-for-4 with four RBIs and scoring a run. Radford's early home run over the fence set the tone, giving Greene Central a strong lead heading into the second inning.
The second inning saw the Rams extend their lead to 6-0, with Will Radford reaching first base on an error followed by Riley Radford's RBI single to left. The Bulldogs got on the board in the third inning with a homer from Colby Putnam, but the Rams still held a commanding 6-1 lead.
Brandon Burress Seals the Win
Brandon Burress was pivotal on the mound for the Rams, going seven innings while giving up five runs on eleven hits, striking out three, and allowing no walks. His performance helped secure the Rams' 8-5 victory over Burns at Burlington Athletic Stadium.
Historic Achievement
The victory marked Greene Central's sixth state title in baseball and their first in over two decades. The Rams' blend of stellar pitching and explosive offense throughout the series exemplified their championship pedigree and etched their names in the history books once again.
Austin Hardy expressed that taking a championship title home created a shared experience with not only his teammates, but generations before them.
"It's great to make history and leave a mark at the field we all grew up on. It feels amazing to hear all the dads bragging and talking about winning a state championship when they were in school. Now we can brag and talk about it with them."
Baseball, America's beloved pastime, does more than entertain—it's a unifying force. The Rams embodied this spirit by clinching the 2A State Championship Title this year, bringing their community together in celebration of their remarkable achievement.
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