Hunter Loyd drove in the game-winning run in the seventh inning then closed out the game on the mound to help Christian Academy of Knoxville win back-to-back baseball state championships.
The Warriors need two victories over Tipton-Rosemark in one day to claim the program's third state title. CAK won the morning contest 10-0 behind five shutout innings from Loyd, 3 RBI from Jacob Tate and 3 runs from Zane Keener.
Tommy Pharr's squad jumped out to a 5-0 lead thanks in part to four walks, a hit-by-pitch, a wild pitch and a Keener solo home run. The Rebels erased that lead in the fifth when Corey Mitson tripled to drive in two, then scored on a throwing error.
CAK rallied with two outs in the top of the seventh starting with a Tate single and Jesse Osborne hit-by-ptich. Loyd hit a line drive that dropped right in front of the left fielder to scored pinch runner Luke Harms from second to take the lead back, 6-5.
Loyd pitched the final two innings without allowing a baserunner to earn the win on the mound. The game ended on a ground out to second baseman Garrett Breeden.
Warriors head coach Tommy Pharr now has eight state championships, five with Farragut and three with CAK.