James Clemens playoff bound; Bob Jones knocked out
Jordan Anderson in action for James Clemens (Record Photo/Lindsay Vaught)
MADISON- James Clemens saved their best baseball for the most crucial games of the season. The Jets posted 9-3 and 9-7 wins over Hazel Green this week to clinch second place in Class 7A, Area 8 and a trip to the playoffs after missing out last year.
“It was our goal all year long to win the area but also to make sure we got in the playoffs,” James Clemens Head baseball Coach Shane Medlen said. “Being able to win four games to get in is a big accomplishment.”
The Jets won the last two games in the Bob Jones series before defeating Hazel Green. They will travel to face Huntsville High for a Friday night doubleheader and Saturday game if necessary.
“At this point everybody’s record is out the window. The only record that matters now is who can win two out of three games and move on,” said Medlen.
Medlen said that he will rely on the pitchers who got the team here.
Taylor Borst, Caleb Capel, and Heath Burchfield are all lefthanders who threw in big area wins. Tucker Clark, Jacob Phillips, and Michael Mays are righthanders.
Borst and Phillips pitched game one against Hazel Green. Capel and Burchfield pitched game two with Tucker Clark the closer.
Rainouts and even snow played havoc with the schedule this season. Good weather is predicted next week making playoff baseball even better.
Sophomore centerfielder Jordan Anderson has a .390 batting average and his speed and power have been noticed. He got an offer from Alabama and other SEC schools are recruiting him.
“He has great size at 6-foot-1, 185 pounds,” Medlen said of Anderson. “He runs a 6.5 in the sixty so when colleges see that frame and that speed it is impressive. The ball jumps off his bat. He is a line drive hitter.”
Clark leads the team with a .450 average followed by Taylor at .420. Jordan and Emmanuel Wilder are around .390.
James Clemens has seven seniors. Two (Clark and Borst) have signed. It is possible others could sign. A number of underclassmen are being recruited so the extra games mean a lot.
“Being able to keep playing in games where college coaches are going to watch them play is important to all our players” Medlen said.
Meanwhile, Bob Jones lost 5-0 to Sparkman Thursday night to end their playoff chances. It is the second straight season Bob Jones has missed the playoffs. They will play their final game against Grissom at home Monday night and honor the seniors.
