AHSAA Class 7A-1A Playoffs: Elite 8 Top Performers

May 12, 2026
Prep Baseball Alabama Staff

ALABAMA — With a trip to the Final Four on the line, the Elite Eight round of the AHSAA Class 7A-1A playoffs delivered some of the most intense baseball of the postseason so far. Across the state, teams leaned on their stars in high-pressure moments, whether it was dominant outings on the mound, game-changing swings late in games, or complete performances in winner-take-all situations.

From walk-offs and extra-inning drama to shutdown pitching performances against top competition, the quarterfinal round once again showcased the depth of talent still standing in the race for a state championship.

Here’s a look at the top performers from the Elite Eight who helped send their teams to the Final Four.

Class 7A Top Performers

Wyatt Williams (Thompson) contributed on both sides throughout the series, going 4-7 with a home run, double, and 3 RBI, while also recording a save with 1 IP of scoreless relief and 2 K in Game 1 as Thompson swept Bob Jones.
Austin Barnett (Thompson) delivered a dominant complete-game win in Game 2, tossing 7 IP with 4 H, 1 ER, and 11 K, while also adding a double at the plate as Thompson swept Bob Jones.
Ashton Blair (Thompson) earned the Game 1 win with 7 IP, 5 H, 1 ER, and 6 K, while also driving in a run with a double in Game 2 as Thompson swept Bob Jones.
Jace Riggan (Hewitt-Trussville) delivered a dominant complete-game shutout in Game 2, tossing 7 IP with 2 H, 0 ER, and 6 K, while also adding a double and drawing three walks as Hewitt-Trussville took ⅔ from Tuscaloosa County.
Cale McIntosh (Hewitt-Trussville) earned the Game 3 complete-game win, throwing 7 IP with 4 H, 0 ER, and 9 K, while also adding a two-RBI single in Game 2 as Hewitt-Trussville took ⅔ from Tuscaloosa County.
Hayden Jones (Central-Phenix City) contributed in multiple ways across the series, recording a save in Game 1 with 1.2 IP of hitless relief and 2 K, while also reaching base multiple times and adding a hit in Game 3 as Central-Phenix City took ⅔ from Dothan.
Jaylen Carter (Central-Phenix City) delivered the go-ahead hit in the 6th inning of Game 3, finishing with 2 RBI as Central-Phenix City took ⅔ from Dothan.

Class 6A Top Performers

Evan Malone (Northridge) delivered a dominant complete-game win in Game 1, tossing 7 IP with 2 H, 0 ER, and 8 K as Northridge swept Chelsea.
Houston Holmes (Spain Park) earned the Game 1 win, throwing 6 IP with 4 H, 0 ER, and 4 K as Spain Park took ⅔ from Gulf Shores.
Connor Greb (Spain Park) went a perfect 3-3 with a triple and RBI in Game 1 as Spain Park took ⅔ from Gulf Shores.
Michael Johnson (Spain Park) powered the offense in Game 2, going 3-4 with two doubles and 5 RBI as Spain Park took ⅔ from Gulf Shores.
Colton Clark (Hazel Green) delivered in big moments on both sides, earning the Game 1 win with 6.1 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, and 8 K, before blasting a two-run home run in Game 3 as Hazel Green took ⅔ from Homewood.
Andrew Beaverson (Hazel Green) homered in Game 1 before delivering a dominant relief outing in Game 3, tossing 3.2 IP with 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, and 6 K, while also driving in two runs at the plate as Hazel Green took ⅔ from Homewood.
Carter Lee (Hartselle) went 4-6 with 2 RBI across both games, including the eventual game-winning sacrifice fly in the 7th inning as Hartselle swept Pell City.
Asher Doepel (Hartselle) contributed in all phases, earning the Game 1 win in relief with 2 IP of no-hit, scoreless baseball and 3 K, while also going 2-4 at the plate and adding 2 RBI in Game 2 as Hartselle swept Pell City.

Class 5A Top Performers

Bryant Hardin (Moody) delivered a complete-game win in Game 1, tossing 7 IP with 5 H, 1 ER, and 3 K as Moody swept Madison Academy.
JB Leatherwood (Moody) followed with a complete-game win in Game 2, throwing 7 IP with 7 H, 1 ER, and 7 K as Moody swept Madison Academy.
Hunter Elmore (American Christian) delivered a dominant two-way series, homering and drawing two walks in Game 1 before tossing a complete-game shutout in Game 2 with 7 IP, 3 H, 0 R, and 8 K, while also going 2-2 with two home runs, 4 RBI, and 2 BB as American Christian Academy swept East Limestone.
BJ Garth (American Christian) earned the save in Game 1 with 2 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, and 3 K, while also going 5-7 with two home runs and 5 RBI across both games as American Christian Academy swept East Limestone.
Houston Hartsfield (Briarwood Christian) delivered a complete-game win in Game 1, tossing 7 IP with 0 ER and 8 K as Briarwood Christian swept Elmore County.
Ivan Hand (Briarwood Christian) dominated in Game 2, earning the win with 6 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, and 12 K as Briarwood Christian swept Elmore County.
Jamison Barnes (Briarwood Christian) totaled two doubles and 5 RBI across both games as Briarwood Christian swept Elmore County.
Brodie Wilson (Faith Academy) earned the Game 1 win, tossing 6.2 IP with 3 H, 0 R, and 12 K as Faith Academy swept Demopolis.
Lathan Boddie (Faith Academy) recorded the save in Game 2 by escaping a bases-loaded, no-out jam in the bottom of the 9th inning as Faith Academy swept Demopolis.
Eli Quinley (Faith Academy) contributed offensively in both games, recording an RBI triple in Game 1 before going 2-4 with a double in Game 2 as Faith Academy swept Demopolis.

Class 4A Top Performers

Brodie Johnson (Westbrook Christian) delivered a strong two-way series, going 2-4 with 2 RBI in Game 1 while also recording a save with 1.1 IP of no-hit relief and 3 K, before tossing a complete-game win in Game 2 with 7 IP, 5 H, 1 ER, and 10 K as Westbrook Christian swept Deshler.
Brady Carden (Westbrook Christian) went 5-8 with a home run, three doubles, and 2 RBI across both games as Westbrook Christian swept Deshler.
Reed Bruce (Central-Florence) earned the Game 1 complete-game win, tossing 7 IP with 2 ER and 4 K, while also adding a double at the plate as Central-Florence swept Alexandria.
Elijah Lambert (Central-Florence) went 5-6 with a triple and RBI across both games as Central-Florence swept Alexandria.
Porter Nelson (Opp) delivered another strong two-way showing, earning the Game 1 complete-game win while also going a combined 4-7 with three doubles and 2 RBI across both games as Opp swept Oak Grove.
Cash Harrell (Opp) powered the offense throughout the series, recording a double and 3 RBI in Game 1 before going 3-4 with two home runs, a double, and 3 RBI in Game 2 as Opp swept Oak Grove.
Brayden Cash (Bibb County) earned the Game 1 complete-game win with 7 IP, 5 H, 1 ER, and 8 K, while also going 5-9 with 3 RBI across both games as Bibb County swept Houston Academy.
Kaige Watkins (Bibb County) delivered a dominant complete-game win in Game 2, tossing 7 IP with 2 ER and 11 K as Bibb County swept Houston Academy.
Ethan McMillan (Bibb County) went 5-8 with three doubles and 6 RBI across both games as Bibb County swept Houston Academy.

Class 3A Top Performers

Cole Austin (Piedmont) delivered a strong two-way performance, earning the Game 1 complete-game win with 7 IP, 2 ER, and 5 K, while also adding a double and two walks before going 3-4 with a double and 2 RBI in Game 2 as Piedmont swept Oakman.
Collin Pate (Gordo) earned the Game 1 complete-game win, tossing 7 IP with 5 ER and 3 K, while also going 3-4 with a double at the plate as Gordo swept Glencoe.
Barrett Cook (Lee-Scott Academy) delivered a dominant complete-game win in Game 2, throwing 7 IP with 3 H, 1 ER, and 9 K, while also homering at the plate as Lee-Scott Academy swept Thomasville.
Harrison Snow (Lee-Scott Academy) went 4-6 with two doubles and 3 RBI across both games as Lee-Scott Academy swept Thomasville.
Rylan Smith (Lee-Scott Academy) powered the offense with a 5-8 showing that included a home run, double, and 8 RBI across both games as Lee-Scott Academy swept Thomasville.
Cam Dawson (Glenwood) went 5-6 with an RBI across both games as Glenwood swept Altamont.

Class 2A Top Performers

Brooks Campbell (Mars Hill Bible) delivered a strong Game 2 outing, tossing 6.1 IP with 4 H, 0 ER, and 9 K as Mars Hill Bible took ⅔ from Lindsay Lane Christian.
Noah Hanback (Mars Hill Bible) earned wins in relief in both Game 2 and Game 3, combining for 4 IP with 2 H, 0 R, and 4 K, while also adding a triple, two doubles, and 2 RBI across the two wins as Mars Hill Bible took ⅔ from Lindsay Lane Christian.
Cody Willis (Mars Hill Bible) went 4-8 with a triple and two doubles across Games 2 and 3 as Mars Hill Bible took ⅔ from Lindsay Lane Christian.
Addison Senn (Ariton) delivered a dominant complete-game win in Game 1, tossing 7 IP with 3 H, 2 ER, and 13 K as Ariton swept Reeltown.
Blayne Wood (GW Long) contributed on both sides in Game 2, going 1-4 with a home run, double, and RBI, while also earning the win with 4 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, and 6 K as GW Long swept Tuscaloosa Academy.
Carson McGee (Red Bay) delivered a strong two-way performance in Game 1, tossing a complete-game win with 7 IP, 5 H, 1 ER, and 9 K, while also going 2-4 with a double as Red Bay swept North Sand Mountain.
Riley Carpenter (Red Bay) went 4-5 with 6 RBI across both games as Red Bay swept North Sand Mountain.
Jeremiah Thorne (Red Bay) earned the Game 2 complete-game win with 10 K, while also going 2-4 with a home run as Red Bay swept North Sand Mountain.

Class 1A Top Performers

Cole Smith (Appalachian) earned the Game 2 complete-game win, tossing 7 IP with 4 K, while also going 4-8 with an RBI across both games as Appalachian swept Addison.
Landon Dodd (Hubbertville) delivered a complete-game win in Game 2, throwing 7 IP with 2 ER, while also driving in two runs at the plate as Hubbertville swept Athens Bible.
Michael Gibson (University Charter) delivered a dominant Game 2 performance, tossing a complete-game one-hitter with 11 K, while also adding a double in the win and going 2-4 in Game 3 as University Charter took ⅔ from Millry.
Braden Murray (University Charter) powered the offense throughout the series, going 4-5 with a double and 5 RBI in Game 2 before adding a triple and 3 RBI in Game 3 as University Charter took ⅔ from Millry.
Tip Smith (University Charter) earned the Game 3 complete-game win, tossing 7 IP with 6 H, 0 ER, and 4 K as University Charter took ⅔ from Millry.
Ethan Jones (Fayetteville) delivered a strong two-way performance in Game 1, earning the win with 6.2 IP, 1 ER, and 10 K, while also going 2-3 with a home run and double as Fayetteville took ⅔ from Maplesville.
Carter Goins (Fayetteville) tossed a complete-game shutout in Game 3, allowing 6 H with 7 K over 7 IP as Fayetteville took ⅔ from Maplesville.
Brenton Cantrell (Fayetteville) homered in both Game 1 and Game 3 as Fayetteville took ⅔ from Maplesville.

UPCOMING EVENTS ⤵️

SHOWCASE	DATE	LOCATION
Montgomery Summer ID	June 2, 2026	Holtville High School
Montgomery Rising Stars ID	June 2, 2026	Holtville High School
Huntsville Summer ID	June 9, 2026	James Clemens High School
Huntsville Rising Stars ID	June 9, 2026	James Clemens High School
Yellowhammer State Games (Invite-Only)	June 16-17, 2026	River Run Park
Gulf Coast Summer ID	June 23, 2026	Orange Beach Sportsplex
Gulf Coast Rising Stars ID	June 23, 2026	Orange Beach Sportsplex
Birmingham Summer ID	June 30, 2026	Pelham High School
Birmingham Rising Stars ID	June 30, 2026	Pelham High School
Tuscaloosa Summer ID	July 7, 2026	Northridge High School
Tuscaloosa Rising Stars ID	July 7, 2026	Northridge High School
Wiregrass Summer ID	July 14, 2026	Enterprise High School
Wiregrass Rising Stars ID	July 14, 2026	Enterprise High School

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