Russellville swept in state playoffs

The 2026 varsity baseball season came to an end for the Russellville Golden Tigers in Tuscaloosa as the American Christian Academy Patriots got the series win in round two of the AHSAA Class 5A playoffs.

ACA swept Russellville by taking both games of a double header on April 30. American Christian won game one by a 10-1 score and then the Patriots took game two by the score of 8-2. American Christian also ended Russellville’s season in round two a year ago on their way to the 2025 Class 5A state title.

Russellville (21-17) fell behind 2-0 in the second inning of game one. The Patriots added six runs in the fourth inning and two more in the sixth. The lone RHS run crossed the plate during the game’s fifth inning. ACA outhit the Golden Tigers 11-2 and Russellville made two errors on defense.

Caleb Hawkins and Malaki Groce had the only RHS hits, both were doubles. Jackson Smith had the Russellville RBI. Ty Engelthaler was the game one pitcher for the Golden Tigers.

Hunter Elmore and Hudson McComb were the top hitters for ACA during the first game. Elmore smacked three hits, including a home run, and had three RBIs. McComb added three hits including a triple, and he had four RBIs.

Drew Jackson was the winning pitcher going six innings. Jackson allowed one hit, one run, and struck out 10. McComb pitched the final inning.

Russellville jumped ahead 2-0 in the second inning of game two but ACA scored three runs in the fifth, one in the sixth and four in the seventh to finish the series.

RHS had four hits in game two. Tripp Cleveland hit a home run, and Engelthaler added a double while Brayden Hatton and Smith collected singles.

Brayden Entrekin got the start on the mound for game two and went six innings. Cleveland and Hawkins worked in relief.

ACA’s Elmore pitched a complete game with 10 strikeouts to earn the win.

The Patriots (32-10) will face East Limestone (25-9) in round three.