Lassiter wins first state baseball title since 1999
By by The Associated Press
Posted 7:34AM on Sunday, June 4, 2006
MARIETTA - Kevin Bishop homered for Lassiter and made a brilliant catch to prevent a three-run homer by Kell, leading the Trojans to a 9-5 win Saturday and two-game sweep of the Class AAAAA state baseball tournament.<br>
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Lassiter added a second title to the one it captured in 1999. The Trojans lost the championship series in 2000, '02 and last season.<br>
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``Everybody talks about the '99 team,'' said Bishop, who went 2-for-3 with three RBIs. ``Now we have one too.''<br>
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Elsewhere Saturday, Greenbrier swept Marist 3-1 and 10-0 for AAAA title, Lovett knocked off Wesleyan 8-6 and 4-2 to win the AA title, while Eagles Landing Christian Academy defeated Calvary Day 5-3 and 10-3 to capture the Class A series two games to one.<br>
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On Friday, Blessed Trinity swept Columbus 1-0 and 2-1 for the AAA championship.<br>
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Bishop homered in the third to give Lassiter (32-4) a 4-3 lead, then reached over the fence in the bottom half to snare a drive by Clint Roques that would have put Kell (29-7) in front.<br>
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Robbie O'Bryan and John Goodwin broke the game open. O'Bryan hit a two-run homer in the fifth, and Goodwin added a two-run double in the seventh. Reliever Don Brice kept the Longhorns from forcing a third a game.<br>
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The Trojans won the series opener 10-9 in 12 innings Friday. Game 2 was postponed by rain.<br>
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``Our kids did a great job. There isn't anything to be ashamed of,'' Kell coach Donnie English said. ``You have to hand it to Lassiter. That's a good ballclub.''