FLORENCE

Beniquez Brown doesn't act his age.

Neither does Pete King. Or Charlie Kelley. Or Taylor Brackin.

But that's not to say these four Shoals Christian baseball players are bad-mannered. The underclassmen's unusually mature antics have been the reason they may lift a state championship trophy before any of them lift a razor.

While they may be young in the face - King is a freshman and the other three are eighth-graders - they're all grown up on the field, helping Shoals Christian (24-18) into the Class 1A semifinals at Athens Bible this weekend.

"We've been coached to be the best we can be at an early age, so we can get out here and make a difference," Brown said. "We needed to play like we were seniors."

That's exactly how the four have played when it's mattered most.

King (4-3) won a crucial third game against defending state champ Hackleburg in the second round, while Brown and Kelley are hitting just a shade under .300, at .298 and .297, respectively.

Brackin, known more for his glove than bat, starts at second on a team that allowed only five runs in a sweep of Cedar Bluff last week.

"You normally don't see this many underclassmen on one team, especially this deep in the playoffs," Brackin said.

But age is truly just a number at Shoals Christian, which is trying to bring home its first state title after two runner-up finishes.

"We know the situation, and we feel like we need to do it," said Kelley, the Flame's catcher.

Added Brown, the right fielder: "Coach told us at the beginning of the season that we would play a big role in bringing the Blue Map home. So far, we've all been doing our part."

This season, King has already accomplished what most players dream of - tossing a no-hitter.

"I was in a little bit of a slump, but that really got my confidence going," he said of his no-no against Brooks. "We've all matured this season, and now being an eighth-grader or a freshman really doesn't matter that much."

Sometimes, the age of his not-so-Little-Leaguers escapes coach Jason Anderson.

"I don't even think about it because if you look at those guys, they're all good looking kids to be so young," he said. "If you were somebody who didn't know who they were, you couldn't tell how young they were because of the way they carry themselves. They play at a high level, too.

"They've all came in and bought into the system at an early age, and these older guys have done a good job of setting the table for them, showing them what it takes to contend for a championship."

Shoals Christian's quest for a state title continues Friday in Athens. A series win there, and it's off to Montgomery for the state finals.

"This weekend will be a huge step, and it's certainly not going to be easy," Kelley said. "But we can do it."

Cody Whitlock can be reached at 740-5727 or cody.whitlock@timesdaily.com.