Prep Baseball Report

AHSAA Roundup: McGill Toolen 6 Faith Academy 3


PBR Alabama Staff

Thursday, March 8

 McGill Toolen holds off a late charge from Faith Academy for a 6-3 win in a battle of top arms and PBR Power 25 teams.

 On a picture perfect Thursday evening, a top 10 matchup of PBR Alabama Super 25 teams took place in Mobile, AL. The #4 6A Faith Academy Rams hosted the #7 7A Yellow Jackets from McGill-Toolen at Faith Academy’s Sportplex. This game had a playoff type atmosphere and fans were treated to a great pitching matchup.  McGill started 2019 LHP Chandler Best (University of Southern Mississippi signee) while Faith Academy countered with 2020 RHP Eli Giles University of Alabama commit). 

The Rams were able to manage a run in the bottom of the 1st off Best due to an error in then infield. A passed ball allowed the runner to get in scoring position and 2020 RF Bryant Andrews singled to right to score a run. That would be the only momentum the Rams would get the remainder of the night. Andrews led the Rams offense going 2-3 on the night with an RBI and run scored.

 On this night, Best displayed why he is considered the top pitcher in the state in the 2019 class, as well as being ranked high nationally.. Best was simply dominate. 6 IP, 11K, 0 ER and 0BB. The Southern Miss signee worked both sides of the plate really well with his fastball while mixing in his off-speed pitches enough to keep the Ram hitters off balance at the plate all night. The Yellow Jacket offense took control in the top of the 2nd inning scoring 4 runs then adding 2 more in the 3rd. That was more than enough for Best as he only allowed 1 hit. For McGill Toolen, 2020 1B/C Jacob Huff had 2 hits to lead the Yellow Jacket offense. 

 The Rams did manage to make this one close in the bottom of the 7th. 2021 3B Michael Hopkinson led the charge with an RBI double to cut the lead to 6-3. The Rams had 2 men on and the tying run at the plate when the Yellow Jackets put the game away with a ground out to 2nd base ending the game.

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