Cullman's Tyler Nunnelley walks off the field as Hazel Green celebrates in the outfield following Saturday's Class 6A semifinal game.

All good things must eventually come to an end.

And, unfortunately for Cullman, that’s exactly what happened Saturday at Bill Shelton Field.

The No. 2 Bearcats fell short in Game 3 of their Class 6A semifinal series against Hazel Green, snapping an impressive streak of four consecutive Montgomery appearances — the Black and Gold crafted a state title and three runners-up finishes during that stretch — with a 6-1 loss to end their season at 34-10.

The Trojans (30-12) advance to play either Helena or No. 9 Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa for the championship.

Jackson Minor started the game for Hazel Green and picked up the win after allowing just two hits and striking out seven batters in five innings. Hunter McGriff hurled the final two spotless frames.

Cullman’s lone run came off a solo homer by Will Morrison in the fourth inning. Grayson Taylor’s single later in the frame accounted for the only other hit from the home team.

All in all, a difficult day at the office.

“We knew we were in a tough spot,” coach Brent Patterson said. “It was going to take some runs. Their guy came out and was three balls to like every hitter in the first few innings. Then he’d come back and find it, and we’d foul a ball off, foul a ball off. Then he’d find it again. Hats off to him. He got it done. The guy really competed, and today we got beat by the better team.”

Isaiah Magwood put his squad ahead with an RBI single — it followed a two-out walk — in the first frame. The Jacksonville State signee then ripped a run-scoring double in the fourth to make it 2-0.

Morrison’s shot, which easily cleared the left-field fence, brought the Bearcats back to within one run, but they simply couldn’t put together the big inning they needed.

The straw that broke the camel’s back came just a few moments later when Garrett Gustafson smacked a pitch to straightaway center field for a three-run homer to make it 5-1. The Trojans scored their final run of the matchup on Bradley Hulin’s RBI double in the sixth inning.

Hazel Green, which kept its season alive with a clutch walk-off, two-run blast in the seventh inning of Game 2 on Thursday, played like a team with all the momentum on Friday.

“I don’t know if it had carry over other than the fact … more than likely they were playing for Game 3,” said Patterson, whose squad won 31 of its final 36 contests. “So if that’s their plan … to get it to Game 3 and to win Game 2 in that fashion, you’ve won a battle. But I don’t know if it was carry over from the home run or if they’re just really deep on the mound. They were in a really good spot when they came in there, and we needed to have better at-bats. We didn’t, and we got behind.

“Sometimes that’s the way baseball works out.”

Carson Freeman and Dylon Wallace each netted one walk apiece, while Cooper Beck was the only other Black and Gold player to reach base after being hit by a pitch.

Despite the tough outcome, Patterson had quite a few reflections on this year’s group.

“Every season is different, and every team is different,” he said. “But as far as how rewarding, and the return on investment … this team right here grew so much. We had some good times and some really bad times. Starting right about spring break, though, some guys stepped up and led. We hope coming through this program they are more prepared for things in life. That’s what it’s really all about. We all want to win every single game, and we all want to win our last game. But sometimes it doesn’t happen.

“But there’s something to be said about consistency. When there’s a target on your back, and everyone’s gunning for you … to be able to sustain a level of success, that’s good. It’s a testament to the parents and the type of kids who stick around and work their tails off. Not to mention the coaches and people around me who give them the opportunity and prepare them as much as we can to be successful.”

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Game 2

% Hazel Green 2, Cullman 1: Josh Duskin’s walk-off, two-run homer in the seventh inning propelled the Trojans to a season-saving victory on Thursday night.

Hayden Henderson, Dylon Wallace, Grayson Taylor and Weston Norton had one hit apiece for Cullman.

Will Morrison allowed three hits and struck out nine on the mound.

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Game 1

% Cullman 5, Hazel Green 2: The Bearcats kicked off the series with a solid victory on Thursday.

Will Morrison cracked a two-run homer to finish with two hits and three RBIs.

Cooper Beck, Weston Norton, Brennen Norton, Carson Freeman and Hayden Henderson also corralled one hit apiece for Cullman.

Michael Myers earned the win on the mound, scattering six hits and six strikeouts in the complete game.