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Cedar Bluff completed the sweep of the Conquerors, winning ThursdayÐÔÊӽ紫ý first game 11-1 in five innings. Things were a little more difficult in the nightcap. The area champion Tigers were down four runs early, but a nine-run fourth helped Cedar Bluff earn a 15-7 victory.

“There were a lot of distractions this week, but I thought our guys did a good job of being in the moment when they needed to be,â€� Talbot said. “ItÐÔÊӽ紫ý hard in this game to be locked in every moment because it can get monotonous at times, but when it was an important at-bat, when it was time to go, I thought they did a good job of being focused and getting some things done. We’re glad to get this behind us and look forward to the playoffs.â€�

ThursdayÐÔÊӽ紫ý wins also capped a perfect season in Area 13 play for the Tigers (17-8). They went a collective 9-0 against Spring Garden, Gaylesville and Coosa.

“We’ve been very fortunate in our area,â€� Talbot said. “ItÐÔÊӽ紫ý tough to go out and win every game every night and sweep three-game series. I think as a high school coach and a high school staff you try to get your guys ready for life at the next level if they’re good enough to play at the next level. They play three-game series (in college and the pros). There are a lot of good things to it. I’m just proud of our guys to put it together and be able to compete for 21 innings each series.â€�

In game one Thursday, Josh Decker was masterful on the mound. He surrendered an unearned run on one hit with four walks and five strikeouts.

“Josh did a good job,� Talbot said. “We knew to be effective today we had to throw a lot of strikes early, and he did a good job with that. We kicked it a little bit and didn’t help him out much in the first inning, but I thought after that we kind of settled in and played well.�

Blake Terry, Devante Dixon and Jake Mintz all had a pair of hits for the Tigers. Terry also walked, scored two runs and drove in two. Dixon walked, swiped a pair of bases, scored two runs and drove in another. Mintz scored a run.

Jansen Teague doubled, walked, scored a run and had a RBI. Decker delivered a two-run double in the first and scored a run.

Jackson Justus led the Conquerors (4-11) with pair of singles and drove in a run. Caden Davidson drew a pair of walks.

Talbot rested many of his starters during ThursdayÐÔÊӽ紫ý series finale, allowing some of his younger players to get playing time, including freshman outfielder Dalton Richardson.

Richardson led the Tigers at the plate, going 4-for-5 with a double, two runs and a RBI.

“He didn’t play last year, but heÐÔÊӽ紫ý very athletic,â€� Talbot said of Richardson. “He swings the bat well and does a really good job for a young outfielder. ThatÐÔÊӽ紫ý what we want from him.â€�

Another young standout for the Tigers in the series finale was junior Lucas Miller. It was his squeeze bunt in the fourth that helped key a nine-run inning.

Miller finished the game going 1-for-2 with two runs and a RBI.

I think that kind of made some good things happen, and we kind of rolled from there,â€� Talbot said. “We played a lot of different guys, and thatÐÔÊӽ紫ý one of our strengths. We’re very deep. We’ve got a lot of guys who can contribute in a baseball game who work hard and deserve playing time.â€�

Dixon led off the game with a triple to right center. Seth Bishop added a double, a walk and a run-scoring single. Ethan Teague added a pair of hits and drove in three runs. Lucas Tracy singled, drove in three runs and was hit twice by pitches.

Cole Kucharski earned the win in relief of Tiger starter Joe Bradfield. Kucharski tossed the final four innings. He surrendered a run on five hits with five strikeouts.

Caleb Garrett led the Conquerors with three doubles and a run-scoring single. Justus had a RBI-double and scored run. Chris Burger doubled, singled and walked. Caiden Lipscomb added a two-run single.