Raiders Rally From Eight-Run Deficit to Win Sectional Championship

By Marlana Smith

North Shelby fought all the way back from an 8-0 deficit to defeat Valle Catholic 9-8 in the sectional matchup Monday, May 25, 2026.

Freshman Lane Pollard dominated on the mound pitching five and one-third innings, striking out five and walking three. He gave up one hit and zero runs.

The Raiders, now 16-3, fell behind early as Valle Catholic scored five runs in the bottom of the first inning and stretched the lead to 8-0 in the second.

Freshman Lane Pollard helped steady North Shelby on the mound, pitching 5 1/3 innings. He struck out five, walked three and allowed just one hit and no runs.

The comeback began in the top of the fifth inning. Pollard reached on an error, Jagger Gaines was walked, and Isaac Berry singled to right field to load the bases. Bo Bacon drove in North Shelby’s first run with a sacrifice fly to left field, scoring Pollard.

Cole Browning then walked, and Grady Gander doubled to center field to bring in Gaines and Berry, cutting the deficit to 8-3. TJ Belt followed with a two-run double to left field, pulling the Raiders within 8-5.

North Shelby continued the rally in the sixth. Pollard led off with a single to center field before Gaines and Berry walked. Bacon singled to score Pollard, and Browning followed with a single to left field to bring in Gaines, making it 8-7.

Gander then hit a ground ball to center field, scoring Berry and tying the game. Kale Pollard walked, forcing Bacon home with what proved to be the winning run and giving North Shelby its first lead of the game, 9-8.

Gander led the Raiders with three RBIs and had two of North Shelby’s eight hits. Berry also finished with two hits.

The Raiders drew eight walks and struck out five times.

North Shelby will make the long trip to Cooter on Wednesday, May 27, for the quarterfinal matchup.