When Prentiss Christian Head Baseball Coach Kevin Harvey asked the team what their goal of the season was at their first practice on Jan. 4, the team answered, “to repeat as state champs.”

That goal has now been achieved as the Prentiss Christian Saints clinched their second state championship in baseball last week. “I love this program and this group of young men,” said Harvey.

“I don’t know if they fully realize yet what they have accomplished.”

To win one state championship is rare, but to win two back-to-back is extremely rare.  The Saints won the school’s first ever state championship in baseball last year. “With everything that can happen in a baseball game, from errors to just simply being outmatched on that particular day, they overcame all the obstacles that a baseball season and playoff run can throw at them.”

Assisting Coach Harvey with the team were pitching and first base coach Joey Herrington and outfield coach Donnell Barnes.

The Saints were number one in their District which drew them the bye in the playoffs. They began the second round of playoffs May 2 facing Delta Academy in Marks. It only took the Saints three innings to finish with a 21-0 win. Brantley Breeland hit his first homerun of the season and added 4 RBI’S. Dan Sinclair threw a no-hitter and had three hits. The Saints’ entire lineup put the ball into play during the first game of playoffs.

On May 4 Delta Academy made the trek to SCCI Field at Prentiss Christian for game two. Brantley Breeland threw a no-hitter. Dylan Martin hit a homerun in the first inning which drove in two runs. Dan Sinclair hit a true inside the park grand slam. Brantley Breeland ended the game with his second homerun of the season. The Saints won 12-0 sending Delta Academy home while advancing themselves to the semifinals.

The Semifinals kicked off on May 8 back at SCCI Field against Briarfield Academy. Timely hits in the first inning by Jordan McPhail, Brantley Breeland, Shelby Bridges and Blain Rogers pushed four runs across the board. A big fifth inning helped secure the run rule victory highlighted by a double by Keegan May. Dan Sinclair led things off on the pitcher’s mound and allowed two hits and one run over five innings while striking out six batters. The Saints won with a final score of 11-1.

On May 13 Prentiss Christian traveled to Lake Providence, Louisiana to play game two of the semifinals. Brantley Breeland surrendered two runs on seven hits over six innings while striking out seven batters. Keegan May, Jordan McPhail, Brodie Faust, Shelby Bridges and Weston Brezeale each collected one hit. The Saints fell short with a final score of 2-1. This forced a game three of the semifinals round.

On May 17, Briarfield returned to SCCI Field to finish off the semifinals round. The pitching duel of Dan Sinclair and Brantley Breeland held Briarfield to two runs. The key RBI hits by Dylan Martin, Weston Breazeale and Blain Rogers helped the Saints push past the Rebels of Briarfield. With a final score of 4-2 the Saints advanced to the state playoffs.

State championship play began on May 19 in St. Joseph, Louisiana against Tensas Academy. Despite a four-run deficit in the sixth inning, the Saints almost came back, eventually falling 7-6 to Tensas. Dylan Martin hit a homerun in the fourth inning. The Saints put up three runs in the seventh inning with singles from Jordan McPhail and Shelby Bridges. Bridges toed the rubber for the Saints and lasted five innings, allowing six hits and six runs while striking out eight batters. Brantley Breeland threw one inning out of the bullpen.

Game two of the championship series was played at SCCI Field on May 23. The Saints took advantage of early miscues by Tensas to win the game 3-1. The saints put two runs across on two errors by Tensas in the second inning. The Saints added another run in the third inning after back to back doubles by Brantley Breeland and Dylan Martin. Clutch pitching by Dan Sinclair and Brantley Breeland helped seal the win.

The Saints traveled back to St. Joseph, Louisiana along with many of their fans to play the final round of the state championship. An eight-run seventh inning led the Saints to their final victory. The offensive onslaught came from singles by Blain Rogers, Jordan McPhail, and Brantley Breeland, walks by Dylan Martin and Keegan May, and a double by Weston Breazeale. Dan Sinclair led things off on the mound. He surrendered one run on one hit over four innings while striking out six. Brantley Breeland took the mound for his final time during his senior year. He threw three innings allowing two runs on four hits while striking out five. The Saints came back to Prentiss with 12-3 win and their second state championship trophy.