From Underdogs to Legends: Greene Central Dominates to Capture Sixth State Championship
BURLINGTON — Opinions waver, but being the 2024 2A State Champions will be etched into stone for eternity.
The Greene Central’s Rams are once again on top of the baseball world. With an exhilarating 8-5 win over Burns High School in game two of the NCHSAA 2A State Championship series, the Rams clinched their sixth state title, riding on the backs of both their seasoned seniors and dynamic underclassmen.
Senior pitcher Braden Burress, an ECU commit, took the mound and finished his flawless season with a complete game win, ending with a 12-0 record, matching his fellow ace Austin Hardy’s undefeated season.
Regarding the team’s formidable pitching duo, Burress said, "When you have a 1-2 punch like we have, it's just hard to beat."
Game one story was about the seniors making plays. This time, it was the underclassmen who stole the spotlight. Sophomore Riley Radford set the tone with a three-run homer in the first inning, bringing in sophomore Will Radford and junior Easton Creech. Riley finished 2-for-3 with four RBIs, a home run, a walk, and a run, while Will went 3-for-4, driving in two runs.
Riley Radford, on his home run, said, "I knew it was gone as soon as it left the bat. It felt great, man!"
In the second inning, the Rams continued to apply pressure, with Brady Anderson and Jordan Scott scoring off a Will Radford error. Riley Radford’s hit past the third baseman scored Burress, pushing the Rams further ahead. Burns attempted a comeback with Colby Putnam's solo home run in the third, but the Rams remained dominant. Elijah Monroe’s dribbler scored Mason Dillon in the fifth, and Easton Creech’s bunt brought home Burress, solidifying the lead.
Despite a late surge from Burns, scoring three runs in the top of the seventh, Burress held firm. The final out, a fly ball to senior center fielder Jordan Scott, led to a joyous celebration as the Rams piled on top of each other in pure joy.
"It felt great. What can I say? It is so sweet." Scott said.
This win capped off a dominating season, with the Rams finishing 29-1, defeating teams like Goldsboro, South Lenoir, Bunn, Midway, Whiteville, and Burns with a combined playoff score of 55-11.
After the game, Braden Burress, named 2A MVP of the championship series, reflected on the season: "It feels amazing. The group of guys I was able to do it with just means more to me. We grew up our entire lives, so to do it with them is so special to me."
Senior Brady Anderson echoed the sentiment, "It is amazing, man. I have never felt anything like it. It sucks to be over, but it’s awesome to go out on top. There is nothing like this in the world."
Coach Brann expressed immense pride: "I am extremely proud of our guys. They worked so hard for it. They earned every bit of it. I feel a lot of pride in how well Greene County and Snow Hill traveled. You looked up there in the stands; it was all royal blue."
On Hardy and Burress, Brann said, "They are awesome." He also praised the infield, calling it "elite," and highlighted the bottom four hitters' contributions throughout the season and championship series.
LOn his role as the nine-hole hitter after batting over .300 all year, Scott added, "I never let the number get to me. Coach always told me I was second lead-off, and I truly felt like I was, so I just trusted the system."
Easton Creech celebrated the lasting impact of their victory: "It is something that is going to last forever. We left our mark."
Cameron Taylor reflected on the journey: "It feels great. We worked really hard for this moment. It was tough our first two years; we lost a lot of games, but we just kept working hard."
Noah Uzzell, known for his clutch plays, said, "It is the same game we have been playing since T-ball. We just go out there and do our thing."
Will Radford spoke about the responsibility of calling the game himself: "It is awesome, but at the same time, it comes with responsibility. I know I have to do well on that, or it falls on me. I thank my coaches for trusting me with that." Notably, Will Radford’s father, Kelly Radford, also caught for Braden Burress's father, Brad Burress, on the 1990 state championship team.
Elijah Monroe, on believing in his role after not playing his first two seasons, said, "It feels great. Countless days of grinding, waiting my turn. When I got my chance, I made something happen."
As the Greene County community celebrated with joy, tears, and hugs, the legacy of the 2024 Greene Central Rams was cemented. This team, small in size but immense in heart, proved that their spirit and teamwork were immeasurable, bringing Greene Central back to championship status and creating memories that will last a lifetime.
Burress finished with one last statement with a Rams jersey on, "Me being small my whole life, I have always lived off ‘Heart over Height.’ Being small has nothing to do with anything; these guys came out here and made plays."
17 Rams were turned into legends.
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