NEWBERRY, S.C. - The Belton-Honea Path Bears scored two runs in the bottom of the 6th inning and then held the Camden Bulldogs scoreless in the top of the 7th to take home the 2009 AAA State Baseball Championship in game three of the best of three series.

B-HP takes the best of three series two games to one.

An estimated crowd of nearly 1,700 made the trip to Newberry College for the game. This is B-HP's first state championship since they won back-to-back titles in 1990 and 1991. Camden was looking for their first championship since winning back-to-back in 1988 and 1989.

The Bears got on the board early in this one after Wofford-commit Matthew Moore reached base on a single in the first inning. After stealing second, he scored when Austin Gambrell reached on an error.

That 1-run deficit did not deter Denny Beckley's squad, however, as the Dogs fired back in the top of the 2nd to take a 3-1 lead. Bryant Salmond led off the inning with a single, followed by another single from Brandon Kersey. An Alvonta Jenkins single allowed Salmond to score and the magic began for the Dogs. With no outs and the bases loaded, B-HP third baseman Brody Greer erred while trying to throw out Trey Brazell which allowed Kersey and Jenkins to score giving Camden the lead. A 5-4-3 double play and fly ball to center ended the inning.

B-HP would tie the game in the bottom of the 2nd after Jon Terbeek and Tyler Lollis scored.

But Camden would break the tie in the top of the 3rd as senior Jack Lafrage reached on a walk and scored to give the Bulldogs a 4-3 lead.

As the game approached the 6th inning it looked like the Bulldogs would finally end their 20-year drought between baseball state championships. Just as the fans wearing gold and black thought they might celebrate another state title in 2009, B-HP's luck came back and ended the Dogs' hope. 

Designated Hitter Austin Gambrell reached on a fielder's choice and then was sent home on a Jacob Tavernier triple. With the game tied, B-HP was able to get the go-ahead run on the board as Tavernier slid under a throw from third baseman Kris Nelson to catcher Robert McKinney. After a brief pause to decide one the call, the home plate umpire declared Tavernier safe.

The Bulldogs tried to make a comeback in the top of the 7th as Lafrage and Salmond both singled, but a pop fly to short stop by Kersey ended the game and gave Belton-Honea Path the AAA Championship.

Camden scored their 4 runs on 9 hits and 1 error; B-HP scored 5 runs on 7 hits and committed 3 errors.

The Bulldogs magical season ends with a Region VI-AAA Championship, the District VI playoff title, the AAA Lower State Championship, and AAA State Runner-ups.

CamdenBulldogs.com would like to congratulate the baseball team on their success this year and wish the seniors the best of luck in their future endeavors.