Randleman’s Braxton Walker unloads for a tiebreaking grand slam against Trinity in the Tigers’ PAC-clinching victory. (PJ Ward-Brown / Randolph Record)
RANDLEMAN — Randleman’s baseball team ended up in a familiar spot by the time the Piedmont Athletic Conference portion of its season was complete.
The Tigers are in first place again.
“I had no doubt,” pitcher / first baseman Braxton Walker said. “The guys come to practice and we and the team morale is as high as it ever has been.”
The clinching victory came with an 8-1 decision against visiting Trinity on Friday night as John Kirkpatrick threw 6 2/3 strong innings.
Two powerful swings made the difference. Walker’s tiebreaking grand slam and Tate Andrews’ three-run blast gave the Tigers enough offense.
While the other six PAC teams complete league play next week, the Tigers are done at 10-2. Uwharrie Charter Academy’s 2-0 loss at Wheatmore means Randleman will be the outright champion.
Randleman secured the regular-season conference championship for the fourth consecutive season in this league configuration.
“They worked so hard all year to get to this point,” Tigers coach Jake Smith said. “Part of (some early mishaps) is from youthfulness and inexperience. It takes a while.”
Randleman won its final five league games.
“Every game is important,” Kirkpatrick said. “If you underestimate any of your opponents, it’s bad things waiting to happen.”
Trinity pitcher Camden Nelson put together a solid effort, but a couple of pitches were costly.
“I wish we could have two pitches back,” Trinity coach Ryan Spencer said. “In those moments, they had good swings. That’s big-time at-bats.”
The Bulldogs had dodged earlier trouble because after Jackson Hill’s run-scoring single in the second inning the Tigers threatened for more. They were denied after putting runners at second and third with one out.
Trinity got its first two base runners with one out in the fourth when Gate Griffiths reached on an infield single and Brody Little followed with a double. Walker Parrish put down a squeeze bunt and the score was tied.
Randleman loaded the bases with no outs in the fourth before a strikeout and a force-out at the plate nearly allowed the Bulldogs to escape. That was until Walker pummeled a 2-2 pitch well beyond the left-field fence.
“It feels great,” Walker said. “And on Senior Night and this might be about the biggest crowd we’ve had.”
Trinity had two runners aboard with two outs in the fifth, but Hill, the left fielder, made a diving catch to end the inning. Andrews delivered the final blow in the sixth.
Randleman went 44-4 in the PAC regular season in this four-year cycle. The Tigers shook off a midseason stretch with two league losses in a three-game span.
“It’s how you respond to that is what matters,” Kirkpatrick said.
Third-place Trinity has lost four consecutive games overall. The Bulldogs have posted a total of two runs across their last three games.
“We’ve got to get a couple cold bats hot again,” Spencer said.
