Bob Jones sweeps past Decatur to advance in playoffs
Third baseman Trey Ward’s hit put Bob Jones ahead to stay in game one Friday night
(RECORD PHOTO/LINDSAY VAUGHT)
MADISON- Bob Jones made sure history did not repeat itself Friday night in the first round of the state baseball playoffs as the Patriots, who didn’t get out of the first round last season, defeated Decatur in game one 6-2 and 12-5 in game two.
“I’m excited for our players, they’ve worked hard and had a tremendous season,” said Bob Jones coach Jeff Bell. “I’m glad to see them win in the first round.”
In game one, Matt Bowen pitched a one-hitter but that one hit cost him two runs as Decatur jumped out to an early 2-0 lead. Bob Jones tied the game in the fourth inning as Matt Sanders walked and Trey Ward doubled. Sanders scored on a Grant Chandler ground out and Ward slid home on a sacrifice fly.
Ward later added a two run single to give Bob Jones a 4-2 lead. Chandler singled in Matt Sanders to chase Decatur starter Drake Whitten.
Bowen had Decatur batters off balance all night as he changed speeds and threw his breaking ball for strikes. He finished with seven strikeouts and two walks as he retired Decatur in order the final three innings.
“It’s not just me, I got eight other guys behind me doing their job,” said an excited Bowen, a senior who has come on strong this season. “Our guys are great hitters, they can mash the ball. All it takes is one inning to get them going.”
Decatur came in averaging seven runs a game and pushed fourth-ranked Bob Jones to the limit both games.
“Every opponent in the state playoffs is a quality opponent and you got to be ready to play,” Bell said. “Every round we are fortunate to be in is going to be a battle.”
Bell said that Decatur pitched around the Patriots leading hitters Matt Bolger and Matt Sanders.
“They don’t give those guys anything good to hit because they know what quality hitters they are.”
Trey Ward and Grant Chandler, hitting fourth and fifth, picked up key hits in both games. Chandler doubled in two runs in the first inning of game two and had an RBI single later.
In game two Bob Jones built a 7-0 lead that went to 12-0.
A Matt Sanders RBI double in the sixth chased Decatur starter Will Gann. Collin Dupree added a two run single to extend the lead to 11-0.
But Decatur struck for five runs in the sixth inning to avoid losing on the 10-run mercy rule.
Austin May pitched five scoreless innings to pick up win number eight. He was roughed up in the sixth as Decatur scored five runs on four hits and an error. Jessie Wheeler relieved May and pitched a perfect seventh inning.
“Both pitchers threw extremely well tonight,” Bell said. “Austin threw strikes like he always does. He did a great job for us tonight
