Athens wins first JC Softball Tournament; big week ahead as Jets host Bob Jones
Jets Caroline Payne stands in against Athens pitcher Emily McNairy
(RECORD PHOTO/LINDSAY VAUGHT)
MADISON- Athens blasted their way to win all five games they played and claimed the championship in the first annual James Clemens Softball Tournament Saturday. The Golden Eagles showed everyone why they are one of the top programs in 5A in the state.
In a semi-final showdown game, James Clemens scored first but Athens roared back to take a 6-1 win.
In the second inning, UNA-signee Breanna Caldwell blasted a three run home run over the fence in left field off Jets pitcher Emily Jacklin. Athens pitcher Emily McNairy dominated the Jets lineup like no other pitcher in the tournament.
“Athens has a very good team, they are very well coached, they have a lot of good hitters and a lot of experience,” said James Clemens coach A.J. Daugherty. “They play with a lot of confidence. They are the type of program that you try to build your own team like. They are some of the best competition we have seen this year and that is how you get better playing teams like that.”
Despite the loss, Daugherty overall was pleased. The Jets won 4 of the 5 games they played.
“We started a little slow this morning against Priceville (a 2-1 win) and rebounded well against Clements. Against Athens we messed up to a couple of kids that you can’t let beat you in their order but I thought we played well. We got to see some good pitching and we saw a solid team. We are leaving the tournament better than when we started. We want to win but if we lose we want to learn from our losses,” Daugherty said.
James Clemens can now turn their attention to a key Area 16 contest on the road against Florence Tuesday night.
A Thursday afternoon game against Bob Jones also has Jets players excited. It is the annual Breast Cancer Awareness game where both team wear special pink jerseys. James Clemens will host the game starting at 4 P.M.
Jets pitcher Emily Jacklin will try to get the Jets first win ever in softball over their cross town rivals.
Bob Jones will face Jets pitcher Emily Jacklin
(RECORD PHOTO/LINDSAY VAUGHT)
“I’m ready to beat them,” Jacklin said. “I think it will be a really good game. We will give them a run for their money this year. I’m good friends with most of the girls on their team. It is for a really good cause.”
Jacklin will face a lineup of Bob Jones players most of whom she knows from playing travel ball with them.
The game will feature some interesting twists.
Two sisters will play in the game but on opposing teams. Shelby Booker, a freshman, will play for James Clemens and Sydney Booker is a senior for Bob Jones.
James Clemens assistant coach Aaron James is a Bob Jones graduate. David Booker is an assistant coach for Bob Jones but is daughter Shelby will play for James Clemens.
“We are looking forward to it,” Jets coach Daugherty said. “It will be a great fund-raiser for a great cause. It is always exciting to play them, the girls always get up for it.”
“We respect the program at Bob Jones and hope to one day get to that point sooner than later. Coach Chambers runs a first-class program and he does a great job getting involved making the game a success and we are going to do our part and put on a first-class event here.”
