Area leaders collide; Bob Jones sweeps Buckhorn
Buckhorn’s Kyle Wright
(RECORD PHOTO/LINDSAY AUGHT)
MADISON- Last week Bob Jones beat the top-ranked team in the state, Smith’s Station. Friday night, the Patriots beat the best pitcher in the area and perhaps the state as they came out with a 2-1 win over Buckhorn and Kyle Wright.
Pitching for the first time in over a week, Wright had a shaky start allowing a first inning run after hitting two batters. Collin Dupree scored on a ground out.
Wright, a junior who is holding offers from six Division 1 universities, settled down and worked his fastball which was hitting 88-90 mph.
Shortstop Matt Bolger got the game-winning hit in the fifth inning with a solid single to center to drive home Chris Flowers. It turned out to be the only hit Wright allowed the entire game.
“This was awesome to come out here tonight against a big-time pitcher and get a team win,” Bolger said.
“He was throwing it up there good but I’ve seen him before,” Bolger said of Wright.
“Don’t let him beat you with the fastball just stay on the off speed.”
Bolger also stole two bases but was stranded at third in the fifth when Wright struck out Grant Chandler.
It was the first loss of the season for Wright who is now 3-1.
Bob Jones starter Matt Bowen used his curveball and got a lot of ground ball outs as the lefty made the two runs hold up.
He struck out Caleb Giles on a call third strike to end the sixth inning with a runner on.
Bowen pitched into the seventh inning allowing four hits. Matt Sanders came in and got the final two outs but not before Buckhorn rallied.
Sanders inherited two runners and walked the bases loaded with one out. With the infield drawn in, Bolger caught a pop fly and doubled a runner off first base to end the game.
“He pitched a great game,” Bob Jones coach Dan Bell said of Bowen who picked up his fifth win of the season.
“He’s a hard -nosed competitor. He threw fastballs and curve balls for strikes tonight. Any time you win on Friday night it’s a huge win. Our guys had a really good approach at the plate.”
Bolger continued his torrid hitting. His batting average now hovers around .390.
“It was our best against their best,” Bell said. “What more can I say about Matt Bolger and his big hit to drive in the winning run.”
Saturday, Bob Jones completed the sweep taking game 2 of the series 4-3. The Patriots are now 4-0 in Area 15 play and finish at Sparkman on Thursday April 11 and back home for a Friday night doubleheader on April 12. It is also Senior Night.
Nathan Burch led the way for Bob Jones with two hits and two RBI’s. Chris Flowers and Collin Dupree also drove in runs. Austin May pitched a complete game and got the win.
