Memphis, TN- The final game of the season didn't change the outcome of the series, but it gave Christian Brothers exactly what they needed, a moment to celebrate, a reason to smile, and a proper sendoff for their seniors.
After dropping the first two games, the Bucs answered in Game 3 with a 3-2 walk-off win over Alabama Huntsville in Memphis, closing the year on a high note despite a challenging season.
Alabama Huntsville struck first in the third inning, using a two-run home run from Alexa Douthitt to take an early 2-0 lead. Christian Brothers didn't panic. They chipped away.
In the bottom half of the third, Katelyn Harmon delivered an RBI single to bring home Dakota Davis and cut the deficit to one. From there, the game settled into a pitcher's duel, and Emily Schooler took control.
Schooler delivered one of her strongest outings of the season in her final appearance, going the distance with a complete game. She allowed just five hits and two runs while striking out nine across nine innings, repeatedly working out of traffic and keeping the Bucs within reach.
Christian Brothers finally broke through again in the seventh. With two outs, Marin Beeson came through with a clutch RBI single to tie the game at 2-2, scoring Davis once again and shifting momentum toward the home dugout.
Then came the final swing of the season.
In the bottom of the ninth, Abby Drabek reached and set the stage. With the game on the line, Beeson stepped up and delivered again, ripping a walk-off RBI single to bring Drabek home and seal the 3-2 victory.
Beeson led the way offensively, going 2-for-4 with two RBIs, including the game-tying and game-winning hits. Harmon added two hits and an RBI, while Davis scored twice and created pressure on the bases all afternoon.
It wasn't the season Christian Brothers envisioned. The results didn't fall their way as often as they had hoped, and the series slipped out of reach earlier in the weekend. But in the end, effort never wavered, and that showed in the way they finished.
For the seniors, it was a fitting conclusion, a hard-fought win, a complete team performance, and one final moment to celebrate together.
They walked off the field not just with a victory, but with pride, closing the season the right way.
