Alexandria, AL – With long-time former coach in attendance, top-ranked Alexandria sweeps Springville in a Class 5A semifinal series, earns berth to state-final series against Mobile Christian.
By Joe Medley
Andy Shaw is a man of few words, especially when recording devices and notepads go live.
The former Alexandria baseball coach had one word for his protege Tuesday, after the Valley Cubs secured their first appearance in a state-final series since 2010.
“Congratulations,” second-year Alexandria coach Zac Welch said.
Alexandria swept visiting Springville 8-1 and 10-0 in Tuesday’s Class 5A semifinal series at home.
The top-ranked Valley Cubs will play Mobile Christian in Monday’s 4 p.m. Game 1 of their best-of-3 state-final series. All games will play out on Jacksonville State University’s Rudy Abbott Field.
The Valley Cubs succeeded in their first semifinal appearance since 2015. All of their 15 seniors were 4 years old the last time Alexandria made the state finals, and the Valley Cubs were then what they will be again starting in the 2024-25 school year … a Class 4A program.
Only one current Alexandria player has played in a state-final series, and second baseman Nic Thompson did that while at Donoho in 2021. The Falcons lost to Bayshore Christian.
“It was great going my freshman year all the way, but we didn’t do what we wanted to do at Donoho,” Thompson said. “This is the year to do it. We’ve got the guys. We’ve got everybody, and nobody’s selfish anymore, and we’ve just got the team to do it.
“I love our chances.”
Alexandria did it with all phases firing Tuesday. Senior pitchers Andrew Allen and Tripp Patterson allowed a combined four hits with 14 combined strikeouts in 12 combined innings.
The Valley Cubs mounted a combined 19 hits. Senior catcher Aiden Brunner and senior third baseman Evan Snow had four apiece over two games.
Alexandria rolled up a seven-run fifth inning in Game 2 and four-run fourth in Game 1 while improving to 8-1 in the playoffs.
“We’ve just played so good here lately,” Allen said. “I don’t think anybody is going to stop us.”
Most of Alexandria’s seniors came up through youth sports in The Valley. Much like the senior-dominated Oxford team that rolled to an unbeaten postseason run in 2023, this senior-laden Alexandria team has so far risen to all hopes that surrounded it for years.
“Us growing up together has really helped,” senior catcher Aiden Brunner said. “We have the best friendship and everything on this team, how to bring the best in all of our guys.
“Being able to relate to the guys that you grew up with, we kind of understand each other a lot more than people who are just moving in from other schools.”
Alexandria’s sweep of Springville launched the second fireworks show in less than a week from Valley Cubs fans, who brought fireworks to the team’s Game 3 victory at Sardis on Thursday.
The team did its customary rounding of the field, high-fiving fans that lined all walls and spaces to see the last home game for this senior class. Welch did his customary run, stop drop and roll into the team huddle and got a cooler dousing from players.
Welch succeeded Shaw when Shaw retired after the 2022 season. Welch played for Shaw during Shaw’s 31-year run as head coach and went on to play for Alabama in college.
Welch was in his third year on Alexandria’s staff when the Valley Cubs last made the state finals, falling to UMS Wright in two games. Welch has been there while the current seniors grew into their moment.
Welch still credits Shaw, who attended Tuesday’s games and visited the dugout between games.
“All of the credit goes to Coach Shaw,” Welch said. “He built this program to what it is, and I was fortunate enough to be on the ride with him.
“When he decided to step away, it was only in ceremony. He’s still as big of a part of this program, and I’m just a guy that gets to sit here and do these interviews.”
Game 1 updates
–T4: Alexandria leads 2-1.
–B4: Bray Goode’s two-run double puts Alexandria up 4-1. Goode scores on a passed ball to make it 5-1. Aiden Brunner’s RBI single makes it 6-1.
–B5: Evan Snow fielder’s choice plates a run … 7-1.
–B6: Ian Cartwright’s sac fly scores Slaton from third … 8-1.
FINAL: Alexandria wins Game 1 8-1. Game 2 to follow.
Game 2 updates
–T2: Alexandria pushes three runs across, leads 3-0.
–T5: Eli Barnes’ two-run double makes it 5-0. Add Evan Snow’s RBI single, 6-0. Double steal … 7-0. Nic Thompson with the sac bunt, 8-0. Two runs score on a dropped pop to CF with two outs … 10-0.
FINAL: Alexandria wins 10-0, advances to the state final series and will play Mobile Christian on Monday at 4 p.m. Jax State’s Rudy Abbott Field. Alexandria will make its first finals appearance since 2010.
Photo gallery by Joe Medley
