By GEORGE MAHL – Sports Editor

CROWLEY – The St. Charles Catholic Comets came up just short of claiming the 3A state title, losing to Parkview Baptist 7-1 Sunday afternoon.

Parkview starting pitcher Alex Ramirez pitched all seven innings, giving up only two hits in the victory.

The victory gives the Eagles their third consecutive state championship.

“You can’t compare one team to another,” said Parkview Baptist Head Coach M.L Woodruff. “They are all different and special.”

St. Charles Catholic Head Coach Paul Waguespack said his team has nothing to hang their heads for.

“To be where we are is a tremendous accomplishment,” Waguespack said afterward. “Before the season started we lost to Rummel in a scrimmage 17-1. I am proud of these kids.”

Comets starting pitcher Jesse Martin pitched well through the first three innings.

In the bottom of the fourth, the Eagles struck first.

A single by Shane Barksdale later resulted in him scoring on a triple by Blake Johnson, giving Parkview Baptist a 1-0 lead. Johnson then scored on a sacrifice fly off the bat of Justin Grant, giving the Eagles a 2-0 lead.

After Ramirez retired the side in the top of the fifth, Parkview Baptist starting swinging their bats well. The put four more runs on the board to expand their lead to 6-0.

After William Lefever grounded out to start the inning, Kellen Bozeman ripped a double to center and scored when Barksdale smashed a triple to centerfield.

A sacrifice fly by Carle Worslam scored Barksdale from third base. A two-run triple to right by Brett Johnson scored Blake Johnson and Grant.

This gave the Eagles a commanding 6-0 lead.

In the bottom of the sixth, left-fielder Blaine Ivey took the first pitch out of Miller Stadium, giving Parkview Baptist a 7-0 lead.

The Comets got their lone run in the top of the seventh. A solo home run by Matt Heltz gave the Comets their first run of the game.

The game ended when Ramirez struck out David Rollo.

Waguespack said one reason for big margin of victory for Parkview was his team may have been caught up by the fact that the Eagles had won two consecutive state titles prior to the game.