Mustangs chasing baseball 3-peat

Lucas Mordecai was one of four pitchers who combined for 14 shutout inning of a 5-0, 4-0 sweep of Westbrook Christian in the Class 3A semifinals Friday. CONTRIBUTED

By MIKE EASTERLING / For the Record

MONTGOMERY – One thing seems certain when Madison Academy and American Christian collide for the Class 3A state baseball championship the next two days.

Runs will be at a premium.

Both the two-time defending champion Mustangs (33-15) and Patriots (31-5) have enjoyed good pitching through the high school playoffs.

“Their pitching staff is not unlike outs,’’ Madison Academy coach Mike Good said. “They’re deeper than a typical 3A team.’’

The opener of a best-of-three series is set for tonight at 7 p.m. at Paterson Field. Game 2 is set for 4 p.m. Thursday at Riverwalk Stadium. A third game follows if necessary.

Madison Academy defeated Westbrook Christian 5-0, 4-0 to advance to the final. Jake Christa pitched a five-hitter in the first game. Sam King went 5 1/3 innings, followed by Lucas Mordecai and Dylan Murphy for a three-hitter in the second game.

The Mustangs have allowed 13 runs in nine playoff games, but seven runs came in a 7-3 loss to Winfield.

Meanwhile, American Christian pitchers have allowed 10 runs in eight games. The Patriots advanced with a 12-2, 13-1 semifinal sweep of Gordo. The staff ace is Alabama signee Deacon Medders.

Good said a key to the series could be which team avoids errors and misplays on the bigger fields at Paterson and Riverwalk.

“Defensively, it might come down to who handles a large amount of real estate,’’ he said. “The larger playing surfaces present challenges.’’