Claiborne Christian baseball claims second consecutive LHSAA Division V state title
Claiborne Christian baseball won the LHSAA Division V state title with a 8-0 win over Grace Christian on Monday in Hammond.
The No. 1 Crusaders (10-16) were set to play on Friday but severe weather halted the game in the bottom of the fourth inning with Claiborne Christian leading 2-0 against the No. 2 Warriors (25-11).
The Crusaders wanted to play but the Warriors had another idea. Claiborne Christian coach Chad Olinde said they were upset they weren't able to complete the game on Friday.
"They fueled the fire basically," Claiborne Christian pitcher A.J. Allen said. "Their gameplan after their semifinal game was they had to score six to 10 runs, that's what their coach said in their interviews. Obviously they didn't score six to 10 runs, that was the difference in the game and really kind of fueled me to not let them score."
Claiborne Christian beat the Warriors 8-3 a year ago. It's the seventh state title for the Crusaders and the sixth time the Warriors are state runner-ups.
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Allen's shutout, the first one against Grace Christian this year, was set in motion on Friday. After resuming the game Monday, the Crusaders picked up right where they left off. With dominant pitching from Allen, they held the Warriors to no hits Monday.
"That's A.J.," Olinde said. "He's a competitor, he's a fun loving dude who's 6-5 who can just throw the ball. He's good, what else can I say about him."
The performance earned Allen most outstanding player. He allowed four hits, two walks, no runs and seven strikeouts. He went 0-for-3 but walked and scored a run.
"It's been a very long weekend," Allen said."I couldn't have done it without our guys. They're a joy to be around, they're so fun to be around. We have a winning mentality and we just come out an play baseball."
The Crusaders broke the game open in the sixth inning and tacked on six more insurance runs. Sprague Zizzi and Nick Womack led the offense. Zizzi was 2-for-3 with two runs scored, an RBI and a walk. Womack went 3-for-4 with a run.
Claiborne Christian loses two seniors, Zizzi and Wedrall, but Olinde said they'll adjust to the losses and make a run for a third straight title.
"We'll go to work and hopefully it will all come together for next year," Olinde said.
This article originally appeared on Monroe News-Star: Claiborne Christian baseball beats Grace, wins LHSAA Division V title again
