Jets get statement win over Sparkman
Laura-Lin Chaffin rips a pitch against Sparkman (Photo Contributed/ David Swager)
HARVEST- It took two days but the James Clemens Jets softball team showed they are for real as they defeated three-time defending state champion Sparkman to take the lead in the Class 7A, Area 8 race.
The 3-1 win is the first ever for James Clemens over Sparkman and gives the Jets control of the area race with the top finisher hosting the area tournament.
“It’s a big win for our program and a big step forward,” said Jets head softball coach A.J. Daugherty. “With a win like that we go from being competitive to being able to beat anybody we play. Sparkman has another great team, Coach Palmer does a great job but we know if we play James Clemens softball we’re going to have a chance to win the game no matter who is in the other dugout.”
James Clemens built on their 2-0 lead from Tuesday night in the fifth inning Wednesday jumping on Sparkman starting pitcher Paige Bannerman. Abbey Payne reached on an error and her sister Caroline drove her home with a double.
Tuesday night, the Jets scored a run in the first inning on a single by Laura Lin Chaffin to drive home Shelby Booker who singled and stole second to open the game. Chaffin delivered a run again in the third inning on a sacrifice fly after a hit by Caroline Payne.
The three runs were enough for Jet’s starting pitcher Emily Jacklin who pitched six scoreless innings before giving up a run in the seventh.
“Emily pitched a gem,” Daugherty said. “The strike zone was a little tight but it was consistent. She made adjustments in the circle. To keep a quality team like Sparkman to one run is tough. Especially having to come back the next day. To keep that mindset was not easy. We had momentum Tuesday night.”
Sparkman’s run came in the seventh when Mackenzie Nutt doubled to drive home Marissa Emery who had singled. The game ended on a fly out by Kailey Stoker.
Jacklin ran her record to 8-1-1 on the season. She also starred fielding her position. She snuffed out a Sparkman rally in the fifth inning when she snagged Taylor Davis’ line drive and doubled a runner at first base. She then got Nutt on a fly out for a 1-2-3 inning.
Daugherty knows it is a long season and success is measured by area and regional championships. He has taken two teams (Holy Spirit Catholic and American Christian Academy) to the AHSAA state tournament.
“We want to win our area and host but our kids know all this is a warmup for the post season in May. Right now it is about getting better no matter who we play and leave practice or games better than when we came.”
James Clemens entered ranked #10 and will move up after the win over #2 Sparkman.
“They like being ranked and finally getting respect. It’s nice and flattering but we got to keep working,” Daugherty said.
James Clemens (12-4, 3-0 in Area 8) will travel to Bob Jones for an area game on Tuesday April 7. It will be the Annual Breast Cancer Awareness game. They host Sparkman on Wednesday, April 8 in a makeup game. Both contests start at 4 p.m.
