The Hoover Bucs continued their remarkable run in the Class 7A state baseball playoffs by eliminating Florence in the three-game semifinals last week.
After splitting a doubleheader on Thursday with Florence winning 8-1 in game 1 and Hoover coming back to win 3-1 in game 2, the Bucs (26-20) rallied from a 2-0 deficit in game 3 to win the deciding contest 5-3 on Friday.
Hoover scored its five runs without benefit if a hit, scoring twice on wild pitches, a bases-loaded walk, a hit batter with the bases loaded and a groundout.
Hoover starting pitcher Colin Rengering held Florence to two runs (one earned) on four hits and three walks while working into the fifth inning. Reliever Tyler Wilson came on in the fifth with one out and the bases loaded and recorded an inning-ending double play. He also induced a double play in the seventh to end the game.
Now, the unranked Bucs, who began the season with a 3-9 record, will get a chance to complete their postseason run when they face No. 4 Auburn (34-6) in the best-of-three Class 7A championship series this week in Montgomery.
Game 1 will be played at 4 p.m. Wednesday at Paterson Field. Game 2 is set for 10 a.m. Thursday at Riverwalk Stadium, with a deciding game 3 to follow if needed.
Hoover swept No. 6 Bob Jones (26-21) in the first round and No. 1 Hewitt-Trussville (28-6) in the quarterfinals before knocking off No. 3 Florence (29-11).
The Bucs will be seeking their first state title since 2017.
Meanwhile, at Choccolocco Park in Oxford, Hoover and Vestavia Hills will be competing in the AHSAA State Softball Championships in Class 7A.
Hoover (31-14) will play Sparkman (34-12) at 9 a.m. Thursday in the first round, while Vestavia Hills (26-20) will take on Fairhope (38-4) at the same time.
—Rubin E. Grant