BOURNE, Mass. — As Chris Downs settled into his windup on the pitcher's mound, the southpaw stared down Kade Lewis and his lead at first base.

The problem? He didn't have eyes on Gavin Kelly at third, who was already halfway down the baseline with his lead. So Kelly exploded, turning on the jets before laying out with both hands in front of him. He successfully stole home, popped up and let out a roar with a pump of the fist.

"I had an aggressive lead. The third basemen was off. It was a left-handed pitcher. He never came set," Kelly said. "His focus point was completely at first base, and it was long enough that I could get home safely."

It was the fourth score of a four-run inning for the Braves, igniting the crowd at Doran Park en route to a 5-3 victory in Game 1 of the Championship Series.

Kelly made the highlight-reel play in the series opener, but the day before in Game 3 of the West Division Finals against Cotuit, he came through in a big moment once again.

He drove the ball down the left field line to score LeGrande in the bottom of the 12th, advancing the Braves to the season finale on the walk-off single. He was mobbed by his teammates, where they chased him into the outfield where his shirt was promptly ripped off.

Bourne doesn't make it to the Championship Series without the drive from Kelly — he was originally told to bunt by field manager Scott Landers.

"Lando basically told me to bunt," Kelly said. "Basically I told him no."

Kelly joked around with Landers postgame, asking him, "Are you sure wanted me to bunt?" Landers laughed it off as the pair embraced in the team huddle.

Landers trusted Kelly to call him off, which led to the game-winning swing. He trusted Kelly to steal home. It's that trust that has gone a long way for Kelly this summer.

"It means a lot. Trust plays a huge role both ways," Kelly said. "He's a player's coach. You want to play for him, and I wouldn't want anyone else to be coaching us right now."

Kelly came to Bourne ready to go. After West Virginia lost in the Super Regionals to LSU, he was fired up to get back on the diamond.

Ever since he arrived he's been a contributor. He's played the outfield, infield and catcher. He's hit everywhere in the lineup, now holding down the leadoff spot.

In the playoffs he's been a spark plug for the Braves, netting a batting average of .300 with nine hits, six RBIs, six runs, five walks and three stolen bases.

"There's been some swing adjustments," Kelly said. "Really just simplifying the swing, trying to let the barrel head get out and play into all fields. It's been a big help."

Kelly contributes a ton on the field with his production, but he does more than that. He's a vibes guy. He loves to hype up his teammates, celebrate after anything offensively and is a frequent participant in the postgame antics that go down for on-air interviews, putting gloves on his teammates' heads and sticking Gatorade cups under their hats and over their ears.

At the end of the day, baseball is better for the Braves when they're having fun, and it's something that's become a difference-maker during the playoffs.

"Summer ball can be miserable. For some, it can be long," Kelly said. "Lots of people don't want to spend the whole summer here, but what more can you ask for? Whenever you have fun, you stay loose and you end up playing well. We've done a good job towards the end of the year staying loose and having fun."

Kelly's capitalized on his experience and made the most of it. It's a summer he won't forget.

Between the spectacular plays, the efficient stat line and the energy he brings to the squad, he has every reason not to forget it.

"It's been awesome. Ever since we lost in the Super Regionals, I was ready to get up here," Kelly said. "I couldn't wait. Lando told me to take a week off, so I took a week off, and then got up here. The guys are great. It's been a fun summer. There's been lots of memories made this summer. It truly is really awesome."