How Calvary Day won an epic 12-inning game to sweep Sweet 16 series with Morgan County

Earlier in the season, Calvary Day baseball coach Phillip Lee talked about Vanderbilt-bound Will Hampton's role on the mound for the Cavs. The senior lefty served as a closer during the regular season, but Lee said his duties could expand once the postseason rolled around.

On Monday, Hampton stepped into the spotlight at Grayson Stadium as he pitched in both games of a Class 3A second round playoff sweep of visiting Morgan County. Calvary won the first game 8-4 and took the second game 7-6.

Hampton picked up the save with a clean frame in the seventh inning of the first game as Ryan Wallace had a strong outing, allowing one run in four innings while striking out six.

The second game was an epic 12-inning battle. Sophomore lefty Quinn Johnson struck out six and allowed four runs (two earned) in five innings. Hampton took over and went 6 1/3 innings, striking out eight batters and allowing one run on three hits, as he picked up the win. Hampton also went 6 for 8 with a double, 5 runs and four stolen bases in the twin bill.

"Will is just such a competitor and he's been doing it for us for four years," Lee said. "He just wants the ball in his hand in the biggest moments and takes advantage of every opportunity he gets."

But Hampton was by no means a one-man show as there were heroes aplenty for the Cavs in the series.

Wallace went 1 for 3 with a double and drove in three to help his own cause in the first game. Caden Arnold was 2 for 4 with two runs and Cutter Powell drove in a pair. Brooks Phillips was 2 for 4 with a double, a run scored and an RBI.

In the second game, Powell stole three bases and drove in a pair with a clutch two-run single to right in the top of the 12th. Caden Arnold stole two bases and scored twice, and his younger brother, Max Arnold, was 2 for 6 with two runs and two RBIs.

But the play of the game was a defensive gem in left field by senior Sam Renshaw. The Bulldogs had loaded the bases with no outs in the bottom of the ninth on Hampton, who struck out Eli Whitlow for the first out. Then Davis Strickland lifted a fly ball, medium deep, to left field. Renshaw settled under it and tried to deke the runner at third by initially faking the catch, before gloving the ball and firing a strike to catcher Waylan Heidik, who made the tag for an inning-ending — and game-saving — double play.

"I knew we needed a play and once I caught it I had to let it eat with the throw," Renshaw said. "I knew it was on target and Waylan made a great play at the plate."

Hampton said he thought the game was over when Strickland hit the ball to Renshaw.

"I thought it was deep enough to score the runner, but Sam made the perfect throw to save us," Hampton said. "There were a lot of nerves there with the bases loaded and no outs. I've been in the closer role all season, but I'm feeling good and ready to do whatever the team needs in the playoffs. This win gives us confidence — it was a tough series, but we battled and stayed loud with a lot of energy. We're going to take that to our next series."

The second game was an unforgettable matchup in a series that had many memorable plays.

"That was one of the wildest games I've ever been a part of," Lee said. "Morgan County is a tough team, and our hats are off to them for the way they played. We had so many players who contributed and that shows what kind of depth we have this year. It's a testament to our guys — they have that next man up mentality."

Calvary, which entered the playoffs ranked No. 3 among Class 3A teams in the state by Score Atlanta, improved to 21-5 on the season. The Cavs are set to host Dawson County (21-9) in a best of three series starting with a double header Saturday, May 4, at Grayson Stadium with the first game at 1 p.m. If a third game is needed, it's set for Monday at Grayson at a time to be announced.

Dennis Knight covers sports for the Savannah Morning News. Contact him at Dknight@savannahnow.com. Twitter: @DennisKnightSMN

This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: Heroes aplenty for Calvary Day baseball in sweep of Morgan County