Thankfully for the Chilton County baseball team, the Tigers ended a first-round playoff series in Greenville much differently than they began the series.

CCHS was on the wrong end of a no-hitter in the first game on April 22, losing 4-0, but scrapped out a 7-4 win in Game 2 to force a third game, which saw the Tigers rolling to an 18-4 victory.

Chilton coach Josey Shannon said he is proud of his team for overcoming adversity—in the form of a one game to none series deficit but also because the group that played in Greenville did not include several players in the opening day lineup because of injuries and other issues.

The lineup for games two and three included one senior and no juniors.

“We’re finding a way to win with JV ballplayers, as far as their age goes,” Shannon said.

The lone senior, Chance Calloway, started the first game of the series and was the tough luck losing pitcher. Calloway had his own no-hitter going through five innings.

Shannon took advantage of his pitching staff’s depth the next two games.

Weston Harris started Game 2 but yielded after two innings to Trevor Thomas.
Cameron Cummings closed out the game and started on the mound the next day.

Blake Teel came on to pitch in the second inning of the final game and finished the contest, which ended after five innings due to the 10-run mercy rule.

“That third game you could tell we had a few more arms,” Shannon said.

The rest of the team may have been fresher, too.

The CCHS squad stayed in Greenville overnight to avoid making the 80-mile trip before an afternoon game, and Shannon had his players rise early and complete a 2-mile jog to get their blood flowing.

The tactic must have paid off as the Tigers continued their running—only this time around the base paths in a rout of Greenville.

CCHS (22-15) will visit Demopolis (14-14) for the second round of the playoffs.