By MONTE DUTTON

Game one of the Class 2A state-championship series was memorable for Owen Glenn’s inside-the-park homer and Camden Finley’s virtuosity on the mound.

Clinton’s 5-1 victory over Atlantic Collegiate puts the Red Devils a win away from their second state title in four years.

Of Camden Finley, the younger of two brothers on the team, head coach Peyton Spangler said on WPCC radio, “He’s been great all year. You can see it in his eyes. He wants the ball, and he deserves it. He’s worked his tail off all year, and he deserves to pitch in a big-time game with big-time moments.”

He also homered.

Heavy rain in Clinton seemed likely to cause yet another postponement. Game 2 was scheduled for Wednesday at 5 p.m., but no decision has been reached.

Tuesday’s game was played in Myrtle Beach on an artificial-turf diamond otherwise fashioned after Cincinnati’s old Crosley Field at the Ripken Experience.

Both teams had a hit in the first inning, but the Armada struck first on Blandyn Miller’s single. ACA (29-4) took advantage of two walks.

Logan Johnson’s two-out single drove in William Addison and Angel Vargas, giving Clinton the lead in the top of the second.

Catcher Luke Young erased a second-inning hit by throwing out ACA’s Gavin Street attempting to steal.

DH Tanner Finley reached on an error with one out in third inning and Addison singled, but Vargas grounded into a double play.

Atlantic Collegiate stranded a runner at third base in the bottom half.

The Red Devils went down in order in the top of the fourth inning, as did the Armada in the bottom half.

Camden Finley led off the fifth with a home run to center, his sixth of the season, on an 0-1 count, to boost the Clinton (30-3) edge to 3-1.

A failed pickoff attempt allowed Terrance Blackmon, who had walked, to reach third base, but Camden Finley struck out Gavin Street, Cam Craft and Logan Newcomb.

Addison led off the sixth inning with a double. Vargas sacrificed Addison to third. With two out, Owen Glenn circled the bases for an inside-the-park home run when two ACA fielders collided and the ball, which hit the foul line, rolled to the wall. Clinton led, 5-1.

Camden Finley walked the leadoff batter in the bottom of the seventh, and gave up the mound to Isaac Cain. The Red Devil starter worked six-plus innings and threw 109 pitches, allowing two hits, a run, five walks and a hit batter. He struck out eight.

After a walk, Cain induced Blackmon to fly out to center to Camden Finley, now playing there, and struck out Craft. Newcomb flied to right field to end the game.

“We’ve got to turn the page,” Spangler said. “That’s a real good ballclub, and they’re coming (to Clinton) for blood.

“This is what we’re here for.”

Addison, the Clinton first baseman, went 3/3 with a double and two runs scored.

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