The Athens Bible School baseball team showed its fans a little bit of everything in its state semifinal series against Shoals Christian.

In the opening game, the Trojans lost by 10 runs. In the second game, they defeated the Flame by 11 runs.

Saturday, ABS showed its fans a close game as the Trojans rallied from a late deficit to beat Shoals Christian 8-6 and advance to the state finals in Montgomery.

“I knew today would be a close, tight game,” Athens Bible School coach Bill Murrell said. “Both teams pitched their No. 1 and No. 2 pitchers yesterday.”

Of the two teams, Shoals Christian seemed more nervous at the start of the game. The Flame’s starting pitcher walked the first two batters he faced and did not throw a strike until his ninth pitch of the game.

The Trojans were not able to capitalize on the gift as the next three ABS batters were retired.

The Flame struck first, scoring one run on a home run that hit half way up one of the trees beyond the centerfield fence.

“After the first inning, I thought it would be a breeze,” said ABS’ starting pitcher Ryan Mooring. “But after that home run…”

The Trojans answered in the third inning, scoring four runs to take a sizable lead.

A.J. Price led off the inning with a double and advanced to third on a wild pitch. Joseph Baker followed by reaching first on an error and stealing second base.

Will Stinnett hit a ground-rule double to score Price and Baker, giving ABS the lead.

Jordan Pugh reached base after a pitch hit him on the foot. Troy Steelman drew a walk to load the bases and Will Chumbley hit an infield single to score Stinnett.

Morring hit a sacrifice fly to score Pugh to round out the scoring in the inning.

The lead was short lived as Shoals Christian scored three runs in the top of the fourth to tie the game. They added two more in the fifth to take a 6-4 lead.

Connor Brown came in to relieve Mooring during the fifth inning.