Rarely do you get a state championship caliber matchup before the actual state tournament.
In Region 3 that will be the case.
Independence (No. 1 in MetroNews’ power rankings) and Bluefield (No. 2) finished the season as the two top teams as voted on by writers around the state. Unfortunately only one of them will be playing in Charleston next week.
The Region 3 foes will begin a best-of-3 series Monday in Coal City, with Game 2 shifting back to Bluefield. Game 3, if necessary, will be played on Wednesday back in Coal City.
Independence is seeking its first state tournament berth since 2014 when it lost to Bridgeport in the Class AA state championship that season. It’s believed Bluefield has only made a state tournament once, back in 1974.
With the stakes at their highest, all of the stops are being removed.
But the Patriots have to feel somewhat confident considering they swept the Beavers, beating them 4-1 on May 11 and 12-6 on May 26 – the week before sectionals started.
In the most recent game, Independence knocked Bluefield pitcher Kerry Collins out in just an inning, scoring six runs off of him. Ryker Brown came in afterwards, allowing the other six runs to score.
That game was likely more of an abnormality based on the numbers Bluefield’s staff has posted this year. Collins (7-2, 2.80 ERA and 58 Ks), Brown (7-0, 1.21 ERA and 69 Ks) and Carson Deeb (6-1, 1.37 ERA and 62 Ks) have been stellar for the Beavers, all logging at least 40 innings each.
They have a loaded lineup to back them up as well. Leadoff man Brandon Wiley leads the team with three home runs while No. 2 hitter Bryson Redmond is batting .462. Cleanup hitter Hunter Harmon leads the team in batting average (.517) and RBIs (44) while the No. 5 and 6 hitters, Collins and Gavin Lail have driven in 30 runs each.
On the other side Independence isn’t without its cast of stars. Clay Basham, Hunter Schoolcraft and Tanner Sipes all entered the postseason with ERAs below 2.50. While they’ve managed the bulk of the pitching responsibilities this year, along with Andy Lester, it was Atticus Goodson who got the call in the sectional championship game.
The standout junior had only pitched 12.2 innings entering the postseason, but held Shady Spring to just one run in a complete-game effort. It’s just a testament to how deep Indy’s well of arms goes, a critical necessity in a series that could be played on three consecutive days.
The Patriots aren’t too shabby at the plate either.
Coming into the postseason, Basham was batting .586 with 46 RBIs while Michael McKinney was batting .467 with 24 RBIs.
The two teams will meet Monday at 6 p.m. in Coal City. Game 2 will be in Bluefield while Game 3, if necessary, will be back in Coal City.
Email: tjackson@register-herald.com and follow on Twitter @tjack94