The Burns baseball squad has earned a place in the NCHSAA 4A state championship series, marking the third appearance in four seasons for a team that has turned its program into a consistent contender.
A Dominant Run to the Final
In the 4A West championship, Burns completed a sweep of the best‑of‑three series with a 16‑6 win over No. 4 Lincoln Charter. The Bulldogs erupted for 13 unanswered runs after the Eagles had taken a 6‑3 lead in the second inning, turning the game on its head with a flurry of offensive bursts.
Key contributors included Mason Bralley, who went 2‑for‑5 with two RBIs and three runs scored, and capped the night with a two‑run homer. Drew Dixon was equally pivotal, delivering a bases‑clearing double that put Burns ahead for good and finishing 3‑for‑5 with two doubles, four RBIs and two runs.
Lathan Peeler added a 2‑for‑4 performance with an RBI and a run, while Yates Toney launched a two‑run homer in the opening inning. On the mound, Bralley limited Lincoln Charter to one unearned run on six hits, striking out five batters.
Championship Opponent
The Bulldogs will now face Bunn in the state championship series, a matchup that promises high stakes and a chance to capture the program’s first title since 2023. Burns enters the final with a 15‑game winning streak and a desire to avenge a 2025 playoff loss to Lincoln Charter.
The Eagles, who finished the regular season at 21‑9, were led by Reed Osbourne (2‑for‑3 with a double and an RBI), Adam Rodgers (2‑for‑4 with a double and two runs), and Noah Brown, who hit a two‑run homer for Lincoln Charter.