SPANISH FORT, Alabama — The Toros sewed up their fourth-straight 5A Area 2 baseball title with three-straight wins over Gulf Shores at Spanish Fort Thursday.

The series sweep started at Gulf Shores where the Toros edged the Dolphins 2-0 earlier in the week and ended with doubleheader wins of 12-2 and 6-1 on The Hill. Gulf Shores is fairly secure in second place — barring an unlikely upset by Vigor this week. The area runner-up must travel in the first round of the playoffs to face the Area 1 winner (Faith Academy) while Spanish Fort will host the Area 1 runner-up (St. Paul’s).

“We get to play at home and that’s always a plus,” Spanish Fort coach Tommy Walker said. “We’re excited about winning a fourth-straight championship and you like to have that opportunity to host in the first round. Today we hit the ball well. Tuesday we didn’t. But what we are doing consistently is playing good defense and pitching well. Overall we’re playing pretty good baseball. Now, we still have some improving to do, but I’m pleased with how we stayed focused tonight, especially after spring break. Good energy out there tonight.”

Gulf Shores coach Donnie Spohn said the Dolphins remain poised to make a go of it in the post season.

“We’re not out of it,” he said. “I thought we played pretty well Tuesday, but today, we just got outplayed, out hit. (Spanish Fort) got good pitching and were disciplined at the plate and did what they had to. We got off to a good start in (the third game) but then didn’t capitalize and take advantage when we had runners in scoring position. But we’re going to keep working and hope to make a run at it in the playoffs.”

A key will be getting Brandon Davis back into the starting rotation after some nagging soreness limited his innings.

“Our pitching is there,” Spohn said. “Jordan (Odom) did an excellent job for us (Tuesday). Brandon has had a little tenderness, that’s why we didn’t start him but he’s done well in relief and expect him to be ready when the playoffs start.”

Game 3: Spanish Fort 6, Gulf Shores 1: Spanish Fort improved to 23-6 with the sweep winning 6-1 in the final game with Heith Brown (4-1) tossing a four hitter in four innings for the Toros.

“Heith looked good out there. He is still not back to full strength but he wanted the ball and we need him and will,” Walker said. “But he’s still favoring his knee a little so we're going to let him go four maybe five (innings) a while longer. But he's looking sharp.”

Matt Hall had a pair of hits and as many RBIs to lead the Toros at the plate in the win.

Game 2: Spanish Fort 12, Gulf Shores 2: Andrew Ferrell (3-1) picked up his third win in Game two scattering six hits through five innings in his 12-2 win. The Toros made the most of their 14 hits to support Ferrell with 12 runs.

“Andrew threw strikes put the ball in play and trusted in his defense,” said his coach. “Had a good game for us and we got our bats going for him. Will Luft led off for us and kind of set the tone throughout the order.”

Joel Poe had a double and a homer for two RBIs while Hall, Danny Rose, Shane English and Jesse McCord also had two hits and two RBIs each for the SF in the win. The Toros turned two double plays.

Game 1: Spanish Fort 2, Gulf Shores 0: The Toros won the opener on a strong performance by Jesse McCord who struck out nine while scattering five hits for the 2-0 shutout win—his seventh victory of the year without a loss.

“Jesse had an outstanding game for us in game one,” Walker said. “Gulf Shores battled, but he battled back, stayed focus and got stronger as the game went on. Jordan Odom pitched very well for them, kept us off balance at the plate. But we expected it to be tough and when we finally got a lead we protected it.”

Tyler Trammell’s fifth-inning double put the Toros up for good.

SF is hosting Saraland Tuesday at 6 p.m., and South Warren, Ky, in a doubleheader Thursday at 4 p.m. Gulf Shores (12-12) will travel to Vigor Tuesday for a 3:30 p.m. start and continue the series with the Wolves at Gulf Shores Thursday at 4 p.m. And 6 p.m.