Silver Lake’s unlikely run towards a possible 16^th state title in school history came to an end on Friday in Manhattan in the 3A State Title game as the Eagles were shutout by Girard 8-0.

The title game pitted the #7 seed Girard Trojans vs #8 seed Silver Lake Eagles and it was Girard, seeking their 1^st ever state title in baseball, who jumped out to a 5-0 lead in the bottom of the 1st. The Trojans bunched 3 hits with 2 walks and a hit batter with the key hit being a bases loaded, three-run triple by Ben Cullen, to turn a 2-0 advantage into a 5-0 cushion.

That would be more than enough run support for Girard’s ace pitcher, junior Kam Smith, who showed why is going to play DI baseball in Arkansas in the future. 

Smith was dominant allowing just 3 singles while striking out 10 in his compete game, 3 hit shutout performance. 

Eagle senior, lefty Brady Hogle, came on in relief of starting pitcher Kipton Kruger in the first, keeping the Eagles in it as he blanked the Girard offense until the Trojans tacked on 3 insurance runs in the bottom of the 5^th.

Girard completed their season at 24-5 in claiming their 1^st state championship. 

It was Silver Lake’s 20^th state title game appearance and first state title game since 2013, but the Eagles will have to wait at least another year to win their 16^th state championship and their first since 2011. The Eagles finish their very successful season with an 18-12 record.