Madison Academy Sweeps Round 2…again
Round two of the Alabama High School Athletic Association (AHSAA) baseball playoffs were delayed by the storms that damaged so much of the southeast including Alabama.
As with the Yankees in 2001 following 911, baseball resuming play sets things back into motion for normal day-to-day life. For the Madison Academy Mustangs (26-11), winning playoff series is “normal”. Since 2009, the Mustangs have not lost in the playoffs and have only dropped the State Playoff series in 2010 (MA won the State Championship in 2009 and was the state runner-up in 2010).
They are at it again, by sweeping the Plainview Bears (25-9) in two games on Monday by scores of 9-8 and 11-0.
“The thing that impresses me about Plainview is how they compete,” Coach Mike Good said. “It is a reflection of their coach (Coach Jeff Brooks). I was not surprised, that even when we had them 7-0 in the first game, that they fought back.” However, it would be the Mustangs who had the most fight in this game and in this series.
Jared Brinson, the MA short stop and lead-off batter would prove to be one of the toughest fighters in this game. Brinson led off the game with a double, went three-for-five at the plate, and had the walk-off single that scored the winning run. “I was seeing the ball well,” Brinson said. “When Key (Chad Key) got to third base on the pass ball, I knew that all I had to do was get it to the outfield and we would win. I didn’t even look at Coach when the count went 3-0 because I didn’t want to take the next pitch. Thankfully, it worked out.” Chad Key went 2-for-4 for the day with a couple of RBIs. His lead off hit in the 7th would prove to be the winning run. “It felt awesome,” Key said about his lead-off single and eventual run that would win the game. “This is the best team I have ever been on, ever. The coaches and the players are the best. Our goal is to finish with a state championship.”
Drew Mobley started game one in his usual style – strike outs and ground outs. However, when he came back through the order, his effectiveness was not the same. He gave up 7 runs on 7 hits to the Bears in the 3rd and 4th innings. Mobley left the game after completing 4 innings and had 8 strike outs. Ben Seabrook relieved Mobley in the 5th inning with the score tied at 7 and would allow only one more run to finish the game. Seabrook got the win.
The second game would be a different story. The Mustangs offense, defense, and pitching would combine for a 5 inning run-rule win that would be very satisfying to any coach. The offense had only 7 hits but drew 7 walks during the game. The hits came with runners on base and in scoring position.
Clayton Palicki pitched the entire 5-inning game, giving up only two hits and striking out three and getting the shutout for the Mustangs. “My fastball was moving pretty well and I had good control of my curve ball,” Palicki said. “I had some really good defense behind me, and that really makes a difference”.
Madison Academy will travel to White Plains for Round 3 Friday. The double-header will begin at 5 p.m. and Game three will be Saturday at 1 p.m. if required.
