Mustangs deliver baseball 3-peat

Madison Academy’s Dylan Murphy was named Class 3A state baseball championship series MVP. CONTRIBUTED

By MIKE EASTERLING / For the Record

MONTGOMERY – Madison Academy’s baseball team reacted to losing the first game of the Class 3A championship series in typical fashion.

They stayed the course.

The Mustangs (35-16), who batted a slew of injuries during the season, survived an at-times challenging postseason and rallied in the final for two straight wins May 19 to defeat American Christian.

The Patriots (32-7), who had one close game and a host of lopsided playoff victories, couldn’t keep the Mustangs from winning their third straight state title.

“I’ve learned over the years sometimes the teams that get to the end and have had to fight the most, there’s an experience factor,’’ said Madison Academy coach Mike Good, who retired after the championship following 14 seasons with four state crowns and two runner-up finishes.

“Having competed in close games worked to our advantage.’’

The Mustangs also won their 15th straight area championship.

In the title series, Madison Academy fell 3-1 in the opener at Paterson Field with ace Jake Christa pitching. The Patriots threw Alabama-bound Deacon Medders.

The next day at Riverwalk Stadium, the Mustangs took 10-6 and 4-2 victories.

Sam King pitched five innings to win the opener.

Dylan Murphy allowed two hits over six innings to win the series clincher. He also went 3-for-5 with two RBIs and two steals for the day and was named tournament MVP.

Cody Littlejohn went 5-for-8 in combined games with three triples and two RBIs. He also pitched the seventh inning of the finale.