Covenant Classical Rides Winning Streak Into Division IV State Championship Game

admin | May 10th, 2024

Covenant Classical blew open a close game in the top of the 7th to beat Temple Christian 9-3 and earn a berth in the Division IV State Championship Game Saturday morning versus Pasadena First Baptist. It was the 11th straight win for the Cavaliers.

Temple Christian took the early lead in the game scoring a run in the 1st and 3rd innings. Bear Herak and Nate Samuel picked up singles in the 1st inning, advanced a base on an errant pickoff throw and Herak scored on an error by the shortstop. In the 3rd inning the Eagles got a bases loaded infield single by Keegan Crews that scored Griffin Roark, giving them a 2-0 lead.

But Covenant Classical got 2 runs of their own in the top of the 4th. Jack Bibari singled home Hudson Williams and Bibari scored on an Rhodes Long infield single, knotting the game at 2-2.

Covenant got their first lead of the game in the top of the 6th on Long’s second RBI of the day, a single to left field that scored Bibari, making it 3-2. They then exploded for 6 runs in the top of the 7th. RBI singles by Williams, Alexander Steed, Luke Liebelt, a 2 RBI single by Luke Barker and a run scored on an error gave the Cavaliers a 9-2 lead.

Temple Christian picked up one more run in the bottom of the 7th on a Wilson Russell RBI ground out but was not able to get anything else going giving Covenant Classical the victory and berth in the state championship game.

Covenant’s James Pickett was the winning pitcher going 6.1 innings, giving up 2 runs, 1 unearned, on 5 hits, 2 BB and 4 K.

2B Jack Barbari was 2-4 with a 2B, 1 RBI, 2 runs scored and 2 stolen bases. He was named the THSB MVP of the game.

“We came in knowing we could hit,” Barbari explained. “I was more relaxed at the plate than I thought I would be and the hits just came.”

Coach Will Pickett gave his perspective on the game: “It’s never been just one guy on this team. It’s always somebody different that steps up. Today we got some timely hits, some really good plays by our outfield and a gritty pitching performance by our starter. We have started to believe in ourselves more and more. When someone struggles someone else is there to pick them up.”

The Division IV State Championship Game will take place Saturday, May 11 at 10:00 AM.