Mountain Brook advances in the 6A Playoffs after dominating Buckhorn with a walk-off routine.

Second-ranked Mountain Brook advanced to Round 3 of the AHSAA Class 6A state baseball playoffs on Monday, defeating Buckhorn 11-1 in a six-inning, walk-off run-rule victory that was a powerful demonstration of strength and poise. The Spartans moved to 28-9 with the victory at home, and they will now focus on a matchup with Gardendale in the third round.

For the Spartans, it was not a smooth start. The initial blow was delivered to the top of the second by Buckhorn, who is ranked fifth in Class 6A. Myles Anglin's quick liner to left drove Owen Todd home after he poked a single with two outs and advanced to third on a fielding error. The Bucks (26-14) had momentum for a short while.

However, it was short-lived.

In response, Mountain Brook hit their own two-out lightning strike in the bottom of the second. Despite his coolness, Paul Barnett hit a two-run home drive that went over the left-field fence and plated Luke Houser, who had already singled. The game's energy completely changed with that swing.

The Spartans then piled on with a combination of tenacious base-running and timely hitting. Caleb Barnett extended the lead and rattled the visitors by walking, taking second on a wild pitch, and racing home on a double from Hunter Davis. As part of a decisive attacking burst, Davis would end the day 2-for-4.

While Houser, who was hitting from the nine-hole,
made the most of his plate appearances, going 1-for-1 with a triple, three runs scored, and a quiet confidence that belied his position in the order, Barnett finished the game 2-for-3 with a double. He was just ahead of No. 8 hitter Becker Mayor, who had a fantastic game, going 2-for-4 with a triple, a double, three RBIs, and two runs scored.

Jude Davidson was clinical on the mound. Over six innings, the Spartans' ace gave up just two hits, struck out eight, and allowed one unearned run. Buckhorn never quite seemed at ease in the box, as his off-speed deliveries danced and his fastball had bite.

After three innings of work, Buckhorn starter Peyton
Joiner took the loss after giving up three earned runs on four hits while striking out six and walking three. After losing the early advantage, the Bucks were unable to establish a rhythm.

Now that their confidence is high and their bats are blazing, Mountain Brook enters Round 3 with significant momentum and the appearance of a club poised for a lengthy postseason run.