Mark Haggard, NewsChannel 15 Sports Reporter/Anchor, brings 33 years of experience to NewsChannel 15.
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The Saint James Sharks beat the Union Yellowjackets 4-3 on Saturday to win the Class 3A Baseball Championship at Riley Park in Sumter. It is the Sharks first baseball title in the school's eight year existance. The state title clinches the WPDE all-sports Zone Cup trophy for St. James.
Union scored the first two runs of the contest when St. James committed four errors in the second inning. The Sharks would make a total of five miscues on the day. But they bounced back in a big way. St. James countered with a Roddy Cross solo homer followed by a Hugh Benton RBI triple to tie the game. Later, Marshall McClary's RBI single gave the Sharks a 3-2 lead. Preston Lane gave St. James some insurance with a sacrifice fly to center with Gunnar Heidt scoring all the way from second on the play to make it 4-2.
St. James pitcher Anthony Cossentino tossed six and a third innings without allowing an earned run to pick up the win. Gunnar Kines came on in relief to record the final two outs and pick up the save. St. James, under head coach Robbie Centracchio finished the season with a record of 30-7.
YouTube: WPDE Sports extended post game coverage from Saint James 3A title game
WPDE Sports coverage of 2011 Saint James Baseball
