Providence baseball claims 4th title, downs Corinth Holders in G3 of 8A championship series

HOLLY SPRINGS, N.C. — After mustering just one hit in the first four innings, Providence’s offense came alive in the fifth, scoring three times and hanging on to beat Corinth Holders 3-2 in the third and deciding game of the N.C. High School Athletic Association 8A title series at North Main Athletic Complex on Saturday.

“It’s about our kids,” Providence coach Danny Hignight said. “They worked so hard for this, starting in August. It is 100 percent about them.”

The state championship was the fourth in program history for the Panthers (32-2), which also won titles in 1995, 2015 and 2022.

Providence’s Jaxon Haynes was named the Most Valuable Player of the series.

“It’s amazing,” Haynes said. “I’m blessed. Great team, great group of guys, everyone played great. This trophy really could have went to anyone.”

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Trailing 2-0 heading into the fifth, Providence’s Chase Khanolkar doubled into the left-field corner. With two out, Haynes – a South Carolina commit who hit a towering home run in Game 2 earlier on Saturday – was issued an intentional walk. Whit McCammond followed with a single to drive in Karson Dodd, who was pinch-running for Khanolkar.

Corinth Holders then pulled starter Hampton Gibbs for Ethan Street. Asher Lyon, who had the Panthers’ only hit prior to the fifth inning, reached again on an infield single to load the bases. Jackson Debe singled up the middle to drive Haynes and McCammon to put Providence ahead 3-2.

“With our lineup, it’s a matter of time,” Hignight said. “Our guys don’t press and our coaching staff doesn’t press because we trust each and we believe in each other.”

Kian Richardson was hit by a pitch with one out in the first for Corinth Holders, and Conner Dunlop followed with a single. Eli Cash drew a walk to load the bases. Gibbs’ sacrifice fly was not only deep enough for Richardson to come home, but also Dunlop raced to the plate as the throw, while on time, could be handled by the catcher to give the Pirates an early 2-0 lead.

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Poor baserunning ended three innings for Corinth Holders.

In the third, the Pirates’ Tanner Day was caught in a rundown with runners on the corners, and with the bases loaded in the fourth, Tripp Johnson was cut down trying to get back to third base by Providence catcher Eli Webb. A walk, a fielding error and a hit batsman loaded the bases again in the sixth inning, but Kaiden Harris got picked off at third base by Panthers pitcher Parks Rhyne.

“You practice how you play,” Haynes said.

And in Providence’s case, the Panthers have practiced plenty on keeping baserunners at bay.

“We work on that stuff a lot,” Hignight said. “We work on that about three times a week, starting in August. They get tired of it.”

Haynes, the third of four Providence pitchers used in Game 3, got the win.

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Khanolkar and Lyon both were 2-for-3 at the plate for the Panthers. Dunlop finished 2-for-4 for the Pirates.

The teams split the first two games of the series as Corinth Holders won the opener 4-3 in eight innings on Friday, and Providence responded with a 6-0 victory in Game 2 earlier on Saturday.

“We talked after the loss,” Hignight said. “We didn’t play like we have all year long. Told them a little story about 2015, when we lost Game 1.”

Eleven years ago, Providence dropped the opener 4-3 to Millbrook, only to come back and win 10-0 in five innings, and 10-2 in Game 3 to win the Panthers’ first state title.

“I told my wife last night, ‘We’re going to win two tomorrow,’” Hignight said. “I don’t think my players thought any differently than me that we just have to get to the ballpark and get to work.”

Corinth Holders (23-4), which opened its doors in 2010, was the East representative in the 4A state title series in 2019 – then the largest classification in the state – falling to Mooresville.

The two schools also competed for this year's 8A state softball title, with Providence prevailing in 2-1 in the best-of-three series.

Box Score

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