It seems like Hartselle athletics have been on a roll as of late.

The Tigers won two state championships this year, as you already know.

Most recently, Hartselle won its eighth state championship in baseball. Isn’t it interesting that a former Tiger who was on the last state championship team in 2009 is now just one win away from a berth in the NCAA Division 1 State Championship Series?

Yep, that’s right.

Chad Girodo has been one of the keys to that. The senior at Mississippi State is 9-1 on the year and has been tearing it up in the postseason, going 3-0 and racking up at least 10 strikeouts in each of his playoff appearances.

Actually, when I’ve watched Mississippi State, I almost thought I was watching this year’s Hartselle baseball team. The way Mississippi State plays is about the way Hartselle played during the postseason.

There were times that folks counted Hartselle out, but as Yogi Berra said, “It ain’t over till it’s over.” Hartselle battled back time and time again and then found a way to win each series.

Mississippi State has done the same thing. Maybe that’s because Girodo’s on the team. Maybe not, but these are the types of teams that are fun to watch.

They might have some adversity, but they always find a way to battle back. It’s something that Hartselle always does – whether it’s in athletics or anything else.

I know that coach William Booth must be proud to see one of his guys enter the major leagues playing baseball, but I’ll bet he’s just as proud to see his former players be successful in their lives, no matter what they are.

Brent Maze is the managing editor of the Hartselle Enquirer.