By Brian Millican | Special to the Advertiser

Chilton County High School’s baseball team defeated Paul Bryant 11-0 on Saturday, only needing to win one of the two scheduled games in order to secure second place in their area and advance to the state playoffs.

To that point in area play, the Tigers had defeated Selma twice, lost two to Hillcrest, and defeated Paul Bryant once.

Much like last week’s matchup, the Tigers scored early and often against Paul Bryant in Game 2 of the series.

Three runs were scored in the first, five in the second, two in the third and one more in the fourth to give the Tigers an 11-0 win and a playoff berth.

With the Tigers’ win, the third game of the series was not needed.

Before the game, the Tigers recognized five seniors: Hunter Bennett, Corbin Bice, Cade Hatch, Colby Ramsey and Tolliver Gilliland.

Each player has played a pivotal role in the success that Chilton County has experienced this year and in past seasons.

Dustin Cleckler started the day off with a bang for the Tigers, hitting a three-run home run in the bottom of the first and gave his team a quick 3-0 lead.

Gilliland started against Paul Bryant on April 13, but he was only needed for three innings as the Tigers went on to destroy the Stampede 18-1.

With his arm still fresh, Gilliland was given the start again on Saturday. Paul Bryant again struggled to get a bat on any of Gilliland’s pitches as he pitched four innings, struck out five, allowed zero runs and only gave up one hit.

With the Stampede completely silenced at the plate, Chilton County continued to score at will.

Bice drove in Hatch with a single to start the scoring in the second inning. A few batters later, Giquon Lane stepped to the plate with the bases loaded and no outs.

On a 2-1 count, Lane deposited a belt-high fastball into the trees beyond the left field wall for a grand slam, giving his team a commanding eight-run lead and taking the air out of the opponent’s sails.

In the third inning, Bennett plated Hatch with a sacrifice fly, and Cleckler drove in Bice with a single.

Ramsey scored the 11th and final run for the Tigers in the fourth inning when he hustled home from second on an error by the Stampede’s right fielder.

Hatch took over for Gilliland on the mound in the fifth inning, pitching one inning and striking out one.

For the fourth consecutive game and sixth overall time this year, the Tigers won this one via the 10-run rule, beating Paul Bryant 11-0 and secured its spot in the state playoffs.

State playoffs begin on Friday. Chilton County will travel to Patterson Field in Montgomery to take on the Park Crossing Thunderbirds.

The two teams will play a doubleheader beginning at 5 p.m.