Bob Jones softball team wraps up undefeated week
Bob Jones head coach Kent Chambers knew his third-ranked Patriots would face some stiff competition this week when he scheduled Hoover and Hartselle to come to Madison. The Lady Patriots responded with a pair of victories. A 6-1 win over Class 6A seventh-ranked Hoover on Tuesday and a 4-1 win over Class 5A top-ranked Hartselle on Thursday.
“These games make us better,” Chambers said minutes before the Hartselle game. “We’re playing tough competition to make us better. Area games are always the most important games.”
As has been the case this season, seniors Allie Stocking and Abby Guest figured prominently in both games and ultimately they were the difference-makers as Bob Jones ran their record to 19-6 and stayed in the rankings at third-place in class 6A.
Stocking had 3 hits and 3 RBIs against Hoover. The victory was significant because it came against Hoover’s top pitcher, Marcy Harper, an Auburn signee. Bob Jones countered with Abby Guest, an Austin Peay signee. Guest settled down after a rough first inning and got stronger as the game went on. She went the distance giving up only five hits and struck out six.
On Thursday, Guest again squared off against a ranked team’s top pitcher, this time Hartselle’s Kayla Faulk.
The Lady Patriots got the bats going early against Hartselle and went up 2-0 when Allie Stocking had a 2-out double to score Sydney Booker and Amy Carden. The Patriots tacked on a run in the fourth inning when Katie Cochran hit a sacrifice fly to score Alyssa Worden. In the fifth Stocking singled and came around to score on a passed ball.
Abby Guest dominated Hartselle on the mound as she gave up only one clean hit all game. She struck out 10 batters and gave up an unearned run in the top of the sixth. She closed out the complete game with a 1-2-3 top of the seventh to pick up win number 8 against 3 losses.
“As the game went on I got stronger,” Guest said. “My spin wasn’t working as well as I wanted but my defense was behind me 100 percent and they got all the ground balls and they got the outs when we needed it.”
Shortstop Brianna Sullivan was particularly busy as she had 4 putouts without an error. First baseman Katie Cochran handled a variety of low and high throws.
“It’s a big accomplishment beating Hartselle with them the top-ranked team in 5A,” said Guest. Hartselle came in with a record of 16-2.
Bob Jones now turns full attention to completing the Area 15 schedule which begins next Tuesday when the Lady Patriots have their first home area game when Austin comes in for a 4 p.m. game. So far Bob Jones is 2-0 in area play with wins over Austin and Decatur.
“We’re more than ready for all the area games,” Guest said.
Next weekend will be busy for her and her teammates as Bob Jones will host the Annual Bob Jones Invitational Tournament on April 6 and 7.
