After battling the rain and storms throughout the week, Lincoln leaned on the same thing that's been working since mid-April.

The Bulldogs (22-14) leaned on their pitching and came away with a regional championship at home after three wins over Antlers and Spiro.

"I'm so proud of our guys and watching them continue to take steps in building on the tradition of Lincoln baseball," said Lincoln head coach Greg Harmon.

Lincoln extended its win streak to 10 straight with wins on Thursday over Spiro, 9-2, and Antlers, 1-0 in extra innings.

The Bulldogs finished off the regional title with a 2-1 over Spiro on Friday evening to move on to Super Regionals.

"We are excited to move into Super Regionals next week," said Harmon. "This team isn't just happy to be here. They expected it. Now is our opportunity to go head first into a best-of-three series to go to state."

"Every coach in 3A wants this opportunity for their team at the beginning of every season. We don't take it for granted and are looking forward to the chance to represent our school in Supers and beyond."

The Bulldogs have allowed just 20 runs across the 10-game win streak and gave up just 14 hits in the regional tournament last week.

"Pitching is the theme of this years regionals," said Harmon. "Chandler Cozbey, Carter Ricke, and Carter Hunter pitched gem after gem, giving up a combined three runs in three games."

The pitching has been the rock of this year's team, as Harmon has been able to lean on a handful or more of arms to deliver when Lincoln has needed it most.

"We are so lucky to have 5-6 high quality arms," he said. "Our top five arms have a 1.50 ERA this season."

Ultimately, the head coach is impressed with his team's ability to compete and find a way, no matter what it is, to get the job done.

"This team just keeps finding ways to win," he said. "That's the mark of a competitor. Some nights are easy and some are not. That's the nature of baseball. The nature of this team is to find ways to win even when it's not easy. They are battle tested. They aren't scared of tight games. They play loose and just look for small ways to help our team win."

Lincoln's pairing for super regionals will be announced on Monday, with the Bulldogs having a chance to host the 3-game series.

LINCOLN 2, SPRIO 1 (FRIDAY)

In another pitcher's duel on Friday, the Bulldogs found a way late, thanks to some timely hitting and more great pitching.

Carter Hunter pitched a complete game, going all seven innings and allowing just five hits.

He did not walk a batter and struck out four hitters.

With the game tied at 1-1 in the top of the 7th, Lincoln's top of the order delivered.

Cozbey, the lead off hitter, got things started with a single to right to open the inning.

Ricke did his job in the following at bat, bunting Cozbey over to 2nd to get the junior into scoring position.

And then the senior delivered.

Luke McCants lined a double to center, allowing Cozbey to race around 3rd to score.

With the Bulldogs needing three outs to end it, Hunter got a one-pitch flout, a strikeout and a one-pitch pop out to catcher Jaxon Crumbliss to end things.

Lincoln opened the scoring in the bottom of the 5th, when Beaux Brumble singled to center to score Lane Hunter, who was hit by a pitch two batters earlier.

Spiro tied things in the bottom half of the 6th.

Brumble and Cade Ryan were both 2-of-3 in the win.

LINCOLN 1, ANTLERS 0 (THURSDAY)

In what was likely the best pitching performance in school history, a familiar face delivered late Thursday night in another low scoring contest.

Ricke pitched eight shutout innings, allowing just two hits, walking three hitters and sitting down an incredible 15 hitters via strikeout.

"He was dealing for us," said Harmon. "He could have kept going. He was outstanding."

After things were still scoreless through eight innings, a freshman stepped up for the Bulldogs to be the difference.

Aiden Hendren came in to relieve Ricke, striking out three hitters in the top of the 9th to get Lincoln back to the plate to try and win it.

McCants started things off with a walk before Cole Dooley bunted him over in the next at bat.

Hendren had an opportunity to do it himself, and he did, as the freshman ripped a double to center and McCants came around to score, walking it off under the lights at John Howerton Field.

Lincoln had just four hits in the win, as Cozbey, Dooley and Lane Hunter also singled.

"I'm not sure I've ever been a part of a game like that, but I'm glad we came out on the right side," said Harmon.

LINCOLN 9, SPIRO 2 (THURSDAY)

A huge 5th inning broke the game open in Thursday's first game, as Lincoln ran away from Spiro at home.

After Spiro tied things up at 2-2 with a run in the top of the 5th, Lincoln separated with an offensive explosion.

The Bulldogs scored six runs to pull away, thanks to some big hits from the middle and bottom of the order.

McCants doubled to left to score Cozbey and Ricke, who reached via walk and single, respectively.

Hendren later singled before Lane Hunter doubled to left, scoring McCants to make it 5-2.

Brumble drove in Hendren on a sac fly to stretch the lead to four, before Crumbliss tripled down the right field line, scoring Hunter and Ryan to make it 8-2.

Cozbey was terrific on the mound, pitching a complete game and allowing just five hits and one walk across seven innings. He struck out five hitters.

McCants was 2-for-4 in the win with two RBIs. Hendren also had two hits, while Hunter was 2-for-2 with two RBIs.

Ryan drove in two, as did Crumbliss in the win. Cozbey had three walks at the plate for Lincoln.

ALL HANDS ON DECK FROM SCHOOL ALLOWS LINCOLN TO PLAY, CAPTURE REGIONAL TITLE

It was not a week without stress and lots of contributions from many across Lincoln Christian School, as the Bulldogs had to work through inches of rain in the days leading up to regionals.

Harmon, his staff and his team were working as hard as they can, but it was the others that showed up that proved to be a huge help, something that Harmon emphasized as unique but expected.

"I am so thankful to be a Bulldog," he said. "The rain tried its best to get in the way, but our school stepped up. I've never been at a school where junior high students, high school students, and athletic directors all pitched in to help."

The field was full of water, but also full of help, as Harmon counted over a half of a hundred braving the mud and ongoing rain to help get the field game ready. 

"We had 50 or so high school offseason kids led by Coach (Zach) Fullingim to help us get the tarp off in high winds, as well as junior high offseason kids that came out and helped us rake dirt and clean things up," said Harmon.

Even those at the top were out, pitching in and refusing to leave until things were ready to play, which exemplifies what the school and athletic program is all about.

"What may have amazed me the most was the efforts by Coach (Jerry) Ricke," Harmon said. "I don't think he left the field for two days. He was pushing water, digging holes, and even drove the nail drag. After a long day on Thursday, he decided to double down and he and Coach (Dillon) Longbrake helped hand rake the field Friday."

Ultimately, it was the baseball team that took home the hardware for their regional championship. 

But Harmon wants to make it clear, it wouldn't have been possible without the help of all involved.

"We couldn't have played without the help and support of our entire school," he said. "Everyone was working to pull the rope the same direction. I've been other places as a head coach, but this is the only place I've ever experienced such a tremendous team effort by people not directly involved with the baseball program."