By WESLEY HALLMAN / Sports Editor

The Coosa Valley Academy baseball team opened the 2011 season in defense of its Alabama Independent Schools Association Class 1A championship with a 7-6 win Feb. 14 over visiting Lee-Scott Academy.

With the outcome in doubt in the sixth inning, reliever Daniel Kennedy came in and closed out the win for the Rebels after striking out two without giving up a hit in the final 1 2/3 innings.

“Daniel came in and shut them down,” said Coosa Valley coach Bobby Hughes.

Jarrod Mims started the season opener and allowed three runs, one earned, on four hits with a strikeout in three innings. Hunter Roe gave up three runs, one earned, on four hits with three strikeouts in 2 1/3 innings in relief.

Steven Cryer led Coosa Valley (1-0) at the plate as he went 3-for-4 with two RBIs and three stolen bases.

Roe finished with two hits and an RBI. Mims went 1-for-3 with a double and an RBI. Myles Varner finished 1-for-3 with a double and an RBI.

Saxon Grimes went 1-for-3 with a double and an RBI. Garrett McMillan finished with two hits and two RBIs. Landon Floyd added a double and an RBI. Preston Parker also had a double and an RBI.

Hughes said pitching depth made the difference in the season opener against Class 3A Lee-Scott Academy.

“We have a lot of pitching depth this year,” Hughes said. “It was a good first game.”