Lions sweep Hueytown in playoffs

Published 11:55 pm Friday, April 27, 2012

Briarwood Christian School junior Cameron Adams delivers a pitch to the plate in the Lions' 4-1 win over Hueytown in the second round of the Alabama High School Athletic Association Class 5A playoffs April 27. (Reporter Photo/Wesley Hallman)

By WESLEY HALLMAN / Sports Editor

NORTH SHELBY — Briarwood Christian School junior Cameron Adams knew the responsibility coach Steve Renfroe placed on his shoulders when he handed him the ball before the start of game one in the Lions’ second round series against Hueytown in the Alabama High School Athletic Association Class 5A playoffs April 27.

Adams knew it was up to him to help the Lions take the early momentum in the series.

The right-hander came through with a complete-game victory in the Lions’ 4-1 win in the series opener. Briarwood Christian clinched a sweep in the second round of the Class 5A playoffs with a 8-2 win in the nightcap.

Adams allowed just one earned run on six hits with three strikeouts in the series opener.

“I just wanted to go in there and throw strikes,” Adams said. “The defense played a great game. It’s huge to go ahead and get the lead and get it off your back.”

Ethan Simmons led the Lions offensively in the opener as he finished 1-for-3 at the plate with a double. Simmons drove in two runs and scored one run in the victory.

Daniel Robert finished 1-for-2 with a double and scored one run. Matthew Furuto finished 1-for-2 at the plate with a double and drove in one run. Tanner Cunningham went 1-for-3 at the plate with a double and drove in one run. Carter Tyra scored one run in the win.

Ben Craft led the Lions offensively in a 8-2 win in the nightcap. Craft, who drove in three runs, finished 2-for-3 at the plate.

Cole Pearson finished 2-for-4 at the plate and drove in one run. Robert went 1-for-3 at the plate and scored two runs. Furuto, who drove in one run and scored one run, finished 1-for-3 at the plate. Simmons, who drove in one run and scored one run, went 1-for-4 at the plate.

Cleveland Milstead finished 1-for-2 at the plate. Brayden Housel, who drove in one run and scored one run, went 1-for-3 at the plate. Kevin McKelvey and Tyra scored one run each. Cunningham drove in one run in the win.

Barnes Bankston earned the complete-game victory in the nightcap after giving up just two runs, including one earned run, on six hits with six strikeouts and one walk.