Cooper Cantrell worked a scoreless seventh on the mound for Crestview.

Martin struck out four, gave up seven hits and allowed five runs as he battled on the mound.

“Our pitchers did a great job of being efficient,” Crestview coach Tim Gillis said. “We kind of took with the pitchers gave us (when the Bulldogs were at bat).

“We had some walks and then we got some big base hits.”

Crestview led 6-4 in the top of the sixth inning when Bulldog second baseman Josh Cadenhead made a defensive stop that didn’t look like much in the box score.

With one out, the Indians had a runner on first base. The batter sent a hard grounder into the hole between first and second base. Cadenhead dove and smothered the ball on the edge of the infield dirt.

From a sitting position, he was able to get enough on the throw to get the batter at a first. Choctaw still had a runner at second base, but there were two outs. If the ball had made it past Cadenhead, the Indians would have had runners on the corners with one out.

Choctaw did manage a run in the inning, but things could have been much worse if not for Cadenhead’s defensive gem.

The Indians went on the attack first scoring four runs in the top of the third inning.

Crestview was able to cut into the lead by a run in the bottom of the inning when Anthony St. Vincent singled, took second on a balk and moved to third on a wild pitch. St. Vincent scored on a productive out from Maddox Reeves. Reeves grounded out to shortstop allowing St. Vincent to score from third base.

The Bulldogs put five runs on the scoreboard in the bottom of the fourth inning. Crestview managed the five spot with just one hit as the Bulldog batters worked Choctaw pitchers for walks and hit batters.

Martin was hit by a pitch to lead off the inning. Walks to Kameron McCord and Cantrell followed. Cadenhead was hit by a pitch to score Jaden Appley, the courtesy runner for Martin.

Javin Shoemake hit into fielder’s choice that scored McCord as Cadenhead was out at second base. A walk to St. Vincent again loaded the bases. Reeves grounded out to third base to score Cantrell.

Jaden Justice singled up the middle to score Shoemake and St. Vincent, giving the Bulldogs the lead for the first time.

Crestview held the lead the rest of the game. Choctaw did manage a run in the top of the sixth inning.

The Bulldogs answered with three runs in the bottom of the inning.

St. Vincent started things off with a walk and stolen base. Justice singled St. Vincent home with one out.

Brayden Ruschmeier was safe on an error. Pearson McDaniel entered the game as a pinch runner for Ruschmeier.

A two-out single to right field off the bat of McCord scored Justice and McDaniel.

Cantrell then took over on the mound for the Bulldogs to complete the win.

“He’s going to reach down and give you everything he’s got,” he added. “He’s won some big games for us on the mound during his career and he swings the bat pretty good too. He’s been swinging it pretty good this year.”

Ruschmeier said he’s been playing baseball as long as he can remember. As he makes his final voyage at Crestview, it’s the time with his teammates he’ll remember the most.

“It feels great getting to go with the guys I’ve been with all these years, pretty much growing up and playing ball with since I was 5-years old,” Ruschmeier said. “Every day is fun. Practice is great.

“I’m looking forward to the rest of the season,” he added.

Ruschmeier has been a member of the Bulldog varsity team since his sophomore year. He has impacted the team since that first season.

“He was one of our better guys on the bump (pitcher’s mound) as a 10th grader,” Gillis said. “He had a big year for us then, so he’s been with us three years on varsity.

“He embodies everything we are about. He’s a tough, tough guy,” Gillis added. “He’s a guy you want to have the ball at the end of the game.”

Ruschmeier said his favorite part of baseball is winning and being with his teammates.

He doesn’t even mind the pressure he feels on the mound.

“It’s a good pressure,” he said. “It’s really not a bad pressure. You just want to be in a big game and compete out there.”

If given the opportunity to play baseball at any college in the country, Ruschmeier wouldn’t stray far from Crestview.

“I would play for Florida State,” he said. “I’ve been a Florida State fan my whole life and that would be my dream school.

What will he miss most about being a Bulldog?

“The memories that are being made every day,” he said. “We are out here having the best time we can and taking it game by game.”

Soon Ruschmeier will put on his No. 15 uniform one last time, but he won’t be forgotten any time soon by his coach.

“He’s one of the most respectful kids I’ve had in my 24 years in the program,” Gillis said. “He’s my kind of guy.”

Laurel Hill senior baseball player Josh Senterfitt can pitch, play first base and third base. Given his choice, third base would be his home on the diamond.

“The ball comes to you quick,” he said. “You just have to react, and it feels good whenever you make a play.”

Perhaps the only thing that has come at Senterfitt faster than a line drive down the third base line is his senior year.

“It got here pretty quick,” he said. “It’s unexpected.”

Laurel Hill coach Cory McSween has grown accustomed to the changing of the guard as one class graduates and the next moves into the role of senior leaders.

Senterfitt will be one of those leaders that won’t be easy to replace.

“He does everything,” McSween said. “He’s been a starter five years, since he was in the eighth grade. He’s a good leader and just a calming presence.”

As McSween spoke of Senterfitt’s leadership and willingness to work, there the senior was taking care of the infield after a loss to Paxton.

“You see him over there raking (the dirt) at third base (to keep the infield smooth),” McSween said. “He’s always the first one to pick up a rake. I’m really going to miss him next year.”

McSween said Senterfitt’s physical growth from eighth grader to high school senior is obvious. What the coach has noticed the most his personal growth.

“It’s him growing up and getting more mature,” McSween said. “I’m happy to have him.”

Senterfitt will put on his number 17 jersey one last time in the next few weeks and join the ranks of former high school athletes.

He plans on savoring his final days at Laurel Hill School as he tries to squeeze the most out of each one.

“Everybody’s like a family here,” he said. “We all treat other each other like a big family. We all get along.

“We try to do our best when we come here and play baseball. I’m going to miss the guys and hanging out with my friends.”

Bryson Martin worked six innings on the mound for Crestview allowing two runs and scattering seven hits. Martin also struck out seven Panther batters.

“That was a big win for us,” Bulldog coach Tim Gillis said. “I thought Bryson threw the ball really well and kept us in the game. He gave us six strong innings.

“That was huge for us,” he added. “We are going to have seven games in 10 days so this start for him eating up some innings helps us. I was really proud of our guys tonight.”

Milton had a runner on base with one out in the top of the first inning when a strike-him-out, throw-him-out double play sent the Panthers back to the dugout. Martin did his part striking out Matt Simmons. Bulldog catcher Javin Shoemake did the rest throwing to second baseman Josh Cadenhead to get Deyton Powell as he tried to swipe second base.

The Panthers took a 1-0 lead in the top of the second inning, but the lead didn’t last long.

Crestview responded with a leadoff single by Anthony St. Vincent in the bottom of the inning. He later scored on a Panther error.

Robby Kopp walked and scored for Crestview in the home half of the third to give the Bulldogs a lead they would hold the rest of the way. Kopp scored on a sacrifice fly by St. Vincent.

Crestview put the game out of reach in the fifth inning. Martin singled to lead off the inning and Jaden Appleby entered the game as a courtesy runner for Martin. Kopp showed bunt and then straightened up and slapped ball into right field for a double to score Appleby.

A balk by the Panther pitcher moved Kopp to third and he scored on a Shoemake hit.

The Panthers plated one in the sixth, but that would be it.

Kameron McCord worked the seventh inning on the mound for Crestview. He struck out two Panther batters. The game ended with Shoemake throwing out a Milton base runner trying to take third base on a pitch in the dirt.

Bulldog coach Tim Gillis has had Kopp in his program four years and can’t say enough good things about him.

“Robby is a coach’s dream,” Gillis said. “He doesn’t say a lot. He’s very quiet.

“But he’s worked so hard in the weight room,” he added. “He’s gotten so much stronger. He’s a Crestview Bulldog.”

Gillis described Kopp as a player that does everything that is asked of him. And through his hard work, Kopp has developed power at the plate to go along with a strong arm and good speed in the outfield.

Kopp has been playing baseball as long as he can remember. And there is so much about the game he enjoys.

“Just the atmosphere of it when there’s a good game going and a rally going,” he said when asked his favorite part of the game. “It’s just energy in the dugout and out on the field. It’s great.”

Gillis said that the work Kopp has put in during his high school career will help him as he moves up the ladder in baseball.

“The strength and physicality that he is going to take to the next level is going to bode well for him,” Gillis said. “You’ve got to be physical to play at the next level so you can sustain (your body) for a season and he’s right where he needs to be.”

Kopp feels fortunate to have played for Gillis, a former Minor League player in the Atlanta organization and a former roommate of Hall of Famer Chipper Jones.

“Coach Gillis is just a great coach,” Kopp said. “He played at a high level. Some of the advice he has given me about hitting has helped me tremendously.”

As well as being physically strong, a baseball player has to be mentally tough to survive the ebb and flow of a baseball season, especially when things aren’t going their way.

“The bottom line is you have to be able to persevere,” Gillis said. “You’ve got to hang in there and be tough-minded. He’s got all those traits,”

It’s that ability to handle adversity that Kopp sees as a strength he will take with him to college ball.

“I’m going to be fighting when I’m down in the count (at the plate),” he said. “I’m not going to let them throw it past me.”

“We were right there with them through five innings,” Bulldog coach Tim Gillis said. “And then we had to take (starting pitcher) Anthony (St. Vincent) out with the pitch count situation (per state rules).

“Kam (McCord) didn’t have his stuff tonight, but he’s been really, really good for us all year. They’ve got a good program that is vying for state titles every year. They showed us what it’s all about tonight.”

Catholic struck first with two runs in the top of the second inning.

The Bulldogs cut the Crusader lead in half with a run in the bottom of the inning.

St. Vincent doubled to lead off the inning. Pearson McDaniel entered the game as a courtesy running for St. Vincent. McDaniel scored as Cooper Cantrell reached on a bunt and the Crusaders committed a throwing error.

Catholic score a run in the top of the second. Crestview came back to score two in the bottom of the inning to tie things up at 3-3.

With two out, Robby Kopp legged out an infield single. Javin Shoemake reached on an error.

With St. Vincent at the plate, the Crusaders attempted to pick Shoemake off first base. Some savvy base running by the Bulldog catcher turned the pickoff attempt into a double steal with Shoemake ending up at second and Kopp advancing to third.

Catholic elected to walk St. Vincent and take a chance with Aidan Justice. The strategy backfired as Justice delivered a base hit scoring Kopp and Shoemake.

That would be the extent of the Bulldog scoring.

Crestview only had five more hits over the final four innings.

Cantrell and Josh Cadenhead had hits in the fourth inning. Connor Riffe and St. Vincent had hits in the sixth inning. Maddox Reeves added a pinch-hit single in the seventh inning as Gillis emptied the bench giving several players time at the plate.  

Bryson Martin worked six innings on the mound for Crestview allowing two runs and scattering seven hits. Martin also struck out seven Panther batters.

“That was a big win for us,” Bulldog coach Tim Gillis said. “I thought Bryson threw the ball really well and kept us in the game. He gave us six strong innings.

“That was huge for us. We are going to have seven games in 10 days so this start for him eating up some innings helps us. I was really proud of our guys tonight.”

Milton had a runner on base with one out in the top of the first inning when a strike him out, throw him out double play sent the Panthers back to the dugout. Martin did his part striking out Matt Simmons. Bulldog catcher Javin Shoemake did the rest throwing a strike to second baseman Josh Cadenhead to get Deyton Powell as he tried to swipe second base.

The Panthers took a 1-0 lead in the top of the second inning, but the lead didn’t last long.

Crestview responded with a leadoff single by Anthony St. Vincent in the bottom of the inning. He later scored on a Panther error.

Robby Kopp walked and scored for Crestview in the home half of the third to give the Bulldogs a lead they would hold the rest of the way. Kopp scored on a sacrifice fly by St. Vincent.

Crestview put the game out of reach in the fifth inning. Martin singled to lead off the inning and Jaden Appleby entered the game as a courtesy runner for Martin. Kopp showed bunt and then straightened up and slapped ball into right field for a double to score Appleby.

A balk by the Panther pitcher moved Kopp to third and he scored on a Shoemake hit.

The Panthers plated one in the sixth, but that would be it.

Kameron McCord worked the seventh inning on the mound for Crestview. He struck out two Panther batters. The game ended with Shoemake throwing out a Milton base runner trying to take third base on a pitch in the dirt.