Houston Academy coach Tony Kirkland is going out a state champion.

The Raiders won a pair of 4-3 games over Gordo on Thursday afternoon at Jacksonville State to claim the Class 3A state baseball title.

It was Houston Academy’s third state title and first since 2014.

“It’s been a long year and a grind,” said Kirkland, who already had announced his retirement after 12 years as coach. “A lot of credit goes to Gordo. This was a great series. This being my last year, I couldn’t be prouder.”

Top-ranked Gordo and No. 8 Houston Academy played three one-run games to decide the title in the best-of-three series. The Green Wave won the opener 2-1 on Wednesday before the Raiders swept the two games at Rudy Abbott Field on Thursday.

“I never thought we would be here. Ever,” said senior J.T. Pitchford. “But we never gave up.”

The Raiders (28-8) were down to their final at-bat in the first game of the day, trailing 3-1 entering the bottom of the seventh before scoring three runs to walk it off and force a deciding game.

Hughes Dean opened the inning with a single and went to third when Green Wave shortstop Caleb Jennings’ throw on Cam Dyer’s grounder went into right field. Adam Boyd followed with a 2-run single to tie the game. After Gordo opted to intentionally walk Max Hawker to load the bases with no outs, Gordo starting pitcher Austin Baines hit Wade Shelley with a 3-2 pitch to force in the winning run.

“We were down in the first game and things just started happening for us,” Kirkland said. “We just had to take what they gave us. They made a few mistakes that helped us out.”

Game 3 was tied 3-3 entering the sixth inning. Boyd opened the inning with a single. Gordo starter Landon Fike induced a pair of fly outs before walking Griffin McGee. Brady Jones relieved Fike but hit the only two batters he faced, the second of which forced in the go-ahead run.

“The first four innings seemed like they took forever,” McGee said. “Then, after we got up one run finally, it seemed like we were almost there.”

McGee was named MVP of the series. In Game 3, the senior relieved starter Wyatt Shelley and pitched the final six innings, allowing just one run and three hits. He struck out four and walked three.

“When I went in (to pitch), I had in my mind I was in for the whole game,” McGee said. “I was just trying to get our team through it, limit the damage the best I could and get our guys back to the dugout. I didn’t have a choice. I had to go out and do my job for however long it took.”

McGee also was 2-for-2 at the plate in the third game with a pair of walks.

“I never expected to be here at the start of the year,” Shelley said. “It takes some luck. We caught some breaks and were able to capitalize on some other teams’ mistakes.”

This post will be updated