No welcome mat for the Mustangs
Drew Mobley lifts Zach Adams in celebration after Adams closed Game 1.
In the South, hospitality is extended to all guests as a matter of respect.
The White Plains Wildcats (29-7) have been hospitable to the Madison Academy Mustangs (28-12) for two years in a row for the 3rd round of the AHSAA State Playoffs.
Again, the Mustangs swept the hopeful Wildcats by winning two games and leaving for Huntsville. The Wildcats took their welcome mat off the front porch and didn’t wave good-bye to the Mustangs as they left the Anniston area. Same hope as last year for the Wildcats. Same ending.
The Mustangs played well in all phases of the game on Friday. They swept White Plains by scores of 7-2 and 14-3. The sweep completes the Class 3A North quarter final playoff of Round 3 in the Alabama High School Athletic Association State Playoffs. The pitchers gave up five runs on 10 hits and combined for 13 strike outs in 12 innings of play.
The defense did not have one error, and the team combined for 23 hits including two homeruns for the two game sweep.
“Having played there before and having had success there was good for us,” Coach Mike Good said. “We played with confidence. And on short rest, we had some concern about our pitching but the guys responded well. We will evaluate our success and approach from last week and try to duplicate that again this coming week.”
In game one, Drew Mobley (6-2) pitched 6 of the 7 innings, striking out 6, allowing 6 hits, but holding the Wildcats to only 2 runs. Zach Adams entered the game in the 7th for the close. Adams held the lead and did not give up a hit or a run. Mobley got the win.
The Mustangs combined for 10 hits in game one. Spencer Palmer was 3-for-3 with three singles to lead the team. Drew Mobley hit a ball that was described by the Anniston Star as “pulverized an Austin Cowan-pitch beyond all recognition.”
“That felt really good,” Mobley said. “It may have been the first homerun I have ever hit that I knew for sure was gone”. That ball redefines the word “bomb”.
Ben Seabrook (8-1) got the start for game 2. He allowed 3 runs on just 3 hits. He had 6 strike outs in the five inning game.
“My arm felt good”, Seabrook said. “I was able to get my curve ball over for strikes and we are just playing with confidence as a team.” When questioned about the 4th round and the chances of playing for the state championship again this year, Seabrook said “I think we have a good shot if we can keep playing like we did this past weekend.”
No errors in one game at this level is good. No errors in two games is awesome. Spencer Palmer (pictured) had an ESPN moment when he successfully stole a big hit from the Wildcats.
“It was a short field and I honestly thought that one was gone,” Palmer said. “I got a good break on it and was able to haul it in right at the fence. “It’s my senior year, I want to keep winning and have no regrets when this if over.” The play caused the otherwise hopeful and rowdy fans of the Wildcats to sit back and take a deep sigh. These Mustangs are pretty good.
Madison Academy travels to Lauderdale County High School for the semi-final Round 4 of the 2011 3A playoffs.
“They are extremely well coached,” Coach Mike Good said. “They utilize their talent well and build their approach around the talents of the team. They are fundamentally sound and we will have to be sharp.” The winner of the series will advance the following week to the State Championship games in Montgomery, AL.
