By Lee Davis
Journal Sports Writer
Going into spring break, the Mountain Brook Spartans baseball team did not appear in the Alabama Sportswriters Association’s poll of the top 10 teams in Class 6A.
That may change soon.
The Spartans stated their case for a high ranking with an impressive series of performances in their own Mountain Brook Sports Corporation Tournament that ran their overall winning streak to 12 games and placed them at 13-2 for the season.
Mountain Brook clinched the tournament championship by outscoring Southside-Gadsden 14-7 in last Wednesday’s final. The Spartans pounded out 11 runs in the fourth and fifth innings to take the win.
Hatton Smith scored three runs with two hits and two RBIs, and Wilson Jamison had three hits with three RBIs. Walker Byrd also contributed to the cause with two hits, while Gavin Golsan had two RBIs. Pitcher Harris Anthony earned the win.
“It’s a team effort without a doubt,” said Spartan coach Lee Gann. “We’ve got a bunch of guys who are playing good ball at the highest level they can. One thing about this team is that they are very mature and aren’t worried about who’s getting the credit.”
The Spartans started their impressive run the previous Monday, opening with a 10-9 win over Southside-Gadsden that wasn’t settled until the 10th inning. Mountain Brook pounded out 28 hits in the victory.
“Early in the season, baseballs can look like golf balls when you’re batting,” said Spartan senior centerfielder John McCrary. “Right now, they’re looking like softballs, with the way we’re hitting.”
Mountain Brook followed the win over Southside with a 13-7 win over Walker. The Spartans used a four-run third inning to take a 6-1 lead, helped by Golsan’s two-run single.
When the Vikings answered with four runs in the bottom of the inning, Mountain Brook responded with four more runs in the fourth inning. Byrd’s two-run double was a key moment. He had another double and two more RBIs.
Smith had three hits and a double for the Spartans, while Mac Carden, Jamison, and Golsan each had two hits. Carden had a double, and Golsan had two RBIs.
Mountain Brook continued its winning ways on the second day, with an 8-5 win over Florida’s Miami Senior. McCrary and Byrd each had two hits and scored two runs. Smith added an RBI triple, while Zach Gillen had two hits.
The win sent the Spartans into Wednesday’s tournament finale rematch with Southside.
In the aftermath of its tournament victory, Mountain Brook heads into the second half of its schedule with a high level of momentum. The real tests will come, however, in the season’s final two weeks, when the Spartans face Class 6A Area 12 foes Vestavia Hills, Spain Park and Homewood in home-and-home round robin match-ups.
These games – taking in place in what may well be the state’s toughest area – will determine Mountain Brook’s ultimate fate. But McCrary expressed confidence in his team’s hitting ability as it heads toward the stretch run.
“Coach Gann has worked with us on hitting to the opposite field and into the gaps,” he said. “We’ve done pretty well with that.” Only time will tell if the hot hitting will continue in area play.
But for now, the Spartans are on the move. And maybe – just maybe – they’ll get some respect from the poll voters.
Soccer Action
In weekend boys’ soccer action, Vestavia Hills rolled to a 3-0 shutout of Spain Park.
Juniors Jack Hopkins and Tucker Freeman, along with sophomore Enrique Camata, scored goals for the Rebels, now 12-0 for the season. Goalie Marvin Castellenos had two saves for Vestavia. Jaguar goalie Spencer Jack had three saves.
In softball play, Mountain Brook fell to Mortimer Jordan 9-0. Hannah Gilbert led the Lady Spartans with two hits and an RBI.
