‘WOULDN’T CHANGE A THING’: Cornelius reflects on stellar season as Eagles fall to Winfield in Class 3A quarterfinals

Published 3:44 am Sunday, May 4, 2025

Vinemont’s sensational season ended Saturday following a 10-2 loss to Winfield.

The No. 7 Eagles dropped the opener of the Class 3A quarterfinal series 12-2 on Friday before the second game was eventually postponed due to rain and moved to Cullman’s Bill Shelton Field, where the teams picked up in the third inning tied at 1.

The No. 3 Pirates, though, quickly scored two runs in the frame and never trailed again. Winfield (32-6) will play No. 5 Gordo in the semifinals next week.

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For Vinemont, it marked a tough end to an otherwise accomplished campaign.

The Eagles captured an area title and became the first team in school history — and first Cullman County program in 34 years — to reach the quarterfinals en route to ending with 26 wins against just 12 losses.

“If I could go back, I wouldn’t change a thing,” Vinemont coach Hunter Cornelius said. “I’m so proud of them. This group of seniors were freshmen my first year, and they bought into the process and standard we tried to instill. We want this to be the expectation from now on — not a single-season Cinderella story.”


Game 1 

Winfield 14, Vinemont 2

Owen McKinney: 2-for-3, RBI

Jake Hale: 2-for-3


Game 2

Winfield 10, Vinemont 2

Rush Sandlin: 2 RBIs