Rick Patrick
rick@greenepublishing.com
Madison County High School (MCHS) was the site of the 2026 Rural Class District Five baseball tournament. On Wednesday, April 15, the Aucilla Christian Academy Warriors faced the Bobcats of Robert F. Munroe High School. The Bobcats had progressed to the semi- final by defeating the Tigers of Jefferson County High School with a 12-11 score. In the semi-final game, the Warriors went out to an early
lead, and by the end of the third inning, held an 8-0 lead over the Bobcats. When the Warriors added two more runs in the bottom of the fifth inning, the game was called short by invoking the “mercy rule.”
Collin Campbell went two-for- three in the batter’s box, with one run-batted-in (RBI) for the Warriors. Cooper Wiles had two hits in his three at-bats, with two RBIs. Gavin Thompson had one hit in two at- bats, with one RBI. Fellow Warrior Hudson Sanders went one-for-two, with one RBI. Wiley Barfield had two hits in his four plate appearances, with two RBIs. Brandon Key also had two hits for the Warriors.
Caleb Walker, Wiles and Barfield all spent time on the mound for the Warriors, giving up a combined total of two hits, no earned runs, two walks and striking out seven batters.
In the other semi final game, later in the evening, the MCHS Cowboys faced the Trojans of Hamilton County High School. The Cowboys went out to an early 4-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning and continued to build on their lead through the first four innings. The Trojans were able to score two runs in the top of the seventh inning, making the final score, 9-2, in favor of the Cowboys.
Dalton McNutt had one hit in his only at-bat, with two RBIs. Micah Newman went one-for-four, with one RBI. Harper Bass had three hits in his four plate appearances, with one RBI. Alden Richie went two-for-four in the batter’s box, with one RBI.
McNutt, Brett Harper, Russell Cruz-Velasquez and Richie all took appearances, with two RBIs. Brandon Key also had two hits for the Warriors.
Caleb Walker, Wiles and Barfield all spent time on the mound for the Warriors, giving up a combined total of two hits, no earned runs, two walks and striking out seven batters.
In the other semi final game, later in the evening, the MCHS Cowboys faced the Trojans of Hamilton County High School. The Cowboys went out to an early 4-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning and continued to build on their lead through the first four innings. The Trojans were able to score two runs in the top of the seventh inning, making the final score, 9-2, in favor of the Cowboys.
Dalton McNutt had one hit in his only at-bat, with two RBIs. Micah Newman went one-for-four, with one RBI. Harper Bass had three hits in his four plate appearances, with one RBI. Alden Richie went two-for-four in the batter’s box, with one RBI.
McNutt, Brett Harper, Russell Cruz-Velasquez and Richie all took turns on the pitchers’ mound for the Cowboys, giving up six hits, one earned run, nine walks and striking out seven batters.
For the Trojans, Dylan Grant went one-for-four at the plate, with one RBI. Braxton Stormant, Tucker Flynn, Gaige Allen and Ryan Moody also had hits for the Trojans.
Caden Hall, Flynn and Nate Wheeler all saw time on the mound for the Trojans, yielding six hits, five earned runs and 10 walks, while striking out five batters.
The results from the semi-final games set up a match between the Cowboys and the Warriors on Friday, April 17. The Warriors were named District Champs after a 5-0 win. For full coverage of the Rural Class District Five Baseball Championship, be sure to get your copy of the Madison County Carrier on Wednesday, April 29.