Trailing in both games of the Class 5A state semifinals on Saturday, St. Paul’s coach Andy Robbins still liked his team’s chances.

“It’s just our guys and how amazing they are,” the veteran coach said. “I knew our kids were battle hardened and would fight back, and we did just that.”

After losing a rain-shortened 1-0 decision to Elberta in Game 1 on Friday, the fourth-ranked Saints got a 3-run double by John Stowers to take the lead in Game 2 Saturday and a 2-run homer from Brooks McDonald to move in front for good in the finale and swept the upstart Warriors 4-1, 7-5 to reach next week’s state title series.

Saturday’s two games were moved from Elberta to Matthews Park in Mobile due to heavy rains Friday. Matthews, where Davidson High plays its home games, has artificial turf, though there was no rain on this picture-perfect afternoon.

The Saints (27-9-1) will play No. 2 American Christian (32-13-1) for the state title. It’s St. Paul’s first trip to the state title series since 2003 and 10th trip overall.

“This feels amazing,” said third baseman Edward McLeod. “It’s everything we’ve worked for all year.”

Elberta, which made the state semifinals for the first time in the school’s short history, finished 27-10.

“I’m so proud of this group,” Warriors coach Owen Davis said. “We’ve got nine seniors. When I got here, they were sophomores. They accepted me immediately. I love those guys, this whole team. They fought the entire time and gave this school and town a great ride.”

St. Paul’s evened the series at 1-1 behind Bradley Irish in Saturday’s opener. He pitched a complete game, allowing just 4 hits and 1 run. He struck out 7 and walked just 2.

“Bradley is a bulldog,” Robbins said. “He comes in with a fire, an intensity. He told me before the game, ‘Coach, I got you,’ and he meant it. That’s the kind of player he is.”

Elberta’s Adan Ramey was solid on the mound as well, allowing 4 hits and 4 runs. He struck out 5 and walked 4. The Warriors took a 1-0 lead in the first on Ramey’s single, scoring Brady Harrison.

Stower’s key double turned the game around in the third, and the Saints added a run on an Elberta error in the fourth. No player on either side had more than one hit in the opener.

In the second game, Elberta held leads of 4-0 and 5-2 before St. Paul’s grabbed the momentum in the sixth. Tate Johnston’s RBI single brought the Saints within 5-3 and McLeod tied it later in the inning with a 2-run single.

“I’ve been struggling the last few weeks,” he said. “I finally started seeing the ball well at the plate. My plan going in was just to see one and try to hit a single and score John and Tate.”

Four pitches later, McDonald hit a 2-1 pitch out to centerfield for the go-ahead homer.

“I was just trying to square the ball up there,” he said. “He threw it down the middle, so I just hit it. It felt amazing.”

McLeod was 3-for-4 in the game with a run scored. Irish was 2-for-3 with a run scored. Taylor O’Dell homered for St. Paul’s first two runs. Landen Adams, Kevin Jones and Brice Brooks all had two hits for Elberta. Adams pitched well for the Warriors but took the loss after the big St. Paul’s inning.

“They have some good hitters,” Davis said. “The 2-3-4 guys (Stowers, McLeod, McDonald) scare you and then O’Dell hits that homer in the second. They are a good team.”

Unsung heroes: Elberta had all the momentum after a 4-run first inning. However. Ross Delaney relieved Stowers, who started, and pitched 4.2 innings to get the win. He allowed 6 hits and 1 unearned run. He struck out 4. O’Dell got the save with 2 shutout innings.

“Ross Delaney came in and shut the door,” Robbins said. “I’m so proud of him.”

They said it:

“There was never a doubt. When we fell short in the past, I think there always was a little doubt that crept in. But there is never a doubt with this team this year.” – McLeod.

“I’m so proud of these guys. We’re not done yet.” – Robbins.

“We were playing a pretty good team. They made some plays when they had to and got some big hits. That 5-run inning in the sixth really got us. I thought our guys fought until the last out, but we just didn’t have enough today.” – Davis.

Up next: The Class 5A championship series starts at 11 a.m. Thursday with Game 1 at Oxford’s Choccolocco Park. Game 2 is scheduled for 10 a.m. Friday at Jacksonville State. Game 3 would follow if needed.