Class 3A baseball: Glenwood does it again, whips Gordo to win school’s 26th title

The Glenwood Academy Gators continue to define excellence on the diamond. After a dominant performance at Jacksonville State University, the Gators swept Gordo to secure yet another state championship—marking the 26th title in the program's storied history.

A Legacy of Dominance

The Gators' latest trophy adds to a remarkable run of success. After clinching back-to-back titles in 2023 and 2024 to close out their tenure in the Alabama Independent Schools Association, Glenwood seamlessly transitioned to the Alabama High School Athletic Association, winning the Class 3A title last year and successfully defending that crown this week.

The program's winning culture remains unmatched, with coach Tim Fanning, who has been at the helm for 12 of the school's 26 state championships, praising the depth of this year's roster. "The cohesion with this senior group has panned out to be so special," Fanning said. "I think the totality of this senior group is what I’m going to remember. Everyone found a way in their own way to contribute."

Commanding the Series

Glenwood left no doubt, outscoring the Green Wave 26-8 across the two-game series. While senior Kade Cox provided a massive spark by scoring seven runs in eight plate appearances, the series MVP honors went to junior Andrew Wilkinson. Wilkinson was a force at the plate, tallying a single and a home run on Tuesday before adding a single and a double on Wednesday to drive in four more runs.

The Gators, who entered the state tournament as the No. 1 ranked team with a 35-8 record, took early control by scoring four runs in the opening inning of both games. Game 2 featured a highlight-reel start when Carter Judah launched a triple at 96 mph exit velocity, followed by an RBI sacrifice fly from Cameron Dawson and a two-run double from Wilkinson that helped the Gators bat around the order early.

Closing the Door

Despite trailing 4-0, Gordo attempted a rally in the third inning by drawing four consecutive walks. However, Glenwood responded with cold-blooded efficiency. Fanning turned to senior Ethan Henderson, who entered with the bases loaded and immediately struck out two consecutive batters on curveballs before inducing a ground ball to escape the jam unscathed.

The Green Wave, finishing their season at 34-10 and ranked third in the state, saw standout performances from Noah McDaniel, who tallied five hits over the two-game series. Gordo coach Jonathan Pate expressed pride in his team's effort, noting their resilience in generating offense throughout the year. "They did everything we asked them to do," Pate said.

Junior Trey Claridy polished off the victory in the seventh inning, touching 86 mph on his fastball to retire the side and punch the Gators' ticket to another title. With the AHSAA slated to split private and public schools into separate championship divisions next year, the Gators will once again enter the new landscape as a team to beat.