Hebron Christian Academy faced off against Providence Christian Academy in a doubleheader to decide the state finals in baseball on Saturday May 28, 2011. I photographed the first game for the Lilburn and Dacula Patch newspapers. Hebron Christian started off the first inning of game one of their doubleheader against Providence Christian the right way with a single over the fence homerun by Christian Davila. Over the next few innings it looked as if the Lions and the Stars were in a stalemate, tied at 4, until the seventh inning when a homerun by Christin Stewart put the Stars ahead by one. Not to be outdone, Hebron answered with a two run score to end the game 6-5. Game two proved to be just as exciting. Hebron’s Mason Felt threw for 16 strikeouts while Providence’s Christin Stewart scored his 26th solo homerun to break a state record. Hebron Christian won the game 6-3 to sweep the series and take home the state championship. Hebron closes their season 33-3 while Providence ends 23-13. These are my favorite images from the game.
Hebron Christian's Lew Stephens, center, goes through a pre-game ritual with catcher Brady Shoppe (11) as he is introduced onto the field before the start of their doubleheader against Providence Christian on Saturday May 28, 2011.
Hebron Christian pitcher Jordan Hillyer hurls the ball towards the plate during game one of their state final doubleheader against Providence Christian on Saturday May 28, 2011.
Providence Christian's Tyler Brown slides safely into third after Hebron Christian's PJ Westbury bobbles the ball in his glove during game one of their state final doubleheader on Saturday May 28, 2011.
Hebron Christian's Danny Lockhart (7) tries to tag out Providence Christian's Josh Carter (5) as he slides safely into second during game one of their state final doubleheader on Saturday May 28, 2011.
Providence Christian's Tyler Brown leaps into the air to catch the ball along the outfield fence for the out during game one of their state final doubleheader against Hebron Christian on Saturday May 28, 2011.
Hebron Christian's Danny Lockhart, left, tries to tag out Providence Christian's Austin Loyd as he slides safely into second during game one of their state final doubleheader on Saturday May 28, 2011.
Hebron Christian's Christian Davila connects with the ball during game one of their doubleheader against Providence Christian on Saturday May 28, 2011. Davila had two over the fence homeruns during game one.
Hebron Christian's Jordan Hillyer (4) bumps helmets with Justin Bagley (15) as he puts the Lions ahead of Providence Christian during game one of their state final doubleheader on Saturday May 28, 2011.
Hebron Christian's Benji Cash (20) tries to pick off Providence Christian's Steven Slaughter (33) as he dives back to first during game one of their state final doubleheader on Saturday May 28, 2011.
Providence Christian's Christin Stewart connects with the ball for a base hit during game one of their state final doubleheader against Hebron Christian on Saturday May 28, 2011.
Players from Hebron Christian rush onto the field to celebrate with PJ Westbury (10) after defeating Providence Christian 6-5 in the bottom of the seventh inning during game one of their state final doubleheader on Saturday May 28, 2011.