Bob Jones opens area play with win over Hazel Green
Hannah Pope pitches for Bob Jones in win over Hazel Green (Record Photo/Lindsay Vaught)
MADISON- Hannah Pope pitched a complete game and Bob Jones rallied late to claim a 5-4 win over Hazel Green in the first Class 7A, Area 8 softball contest of the season.
The win lifts the Patriots record to 4-2 and provides confidence for a slew of tough games to come.
“Anytime you get an area win its good,”said head coach Kent Chambers “Hazel Green hits the ball very well and they hit it right up to the end but we made the plays and Hannah pitched a great game.”
Pope, a junior, can play multiple positions and is one of the top players in the area.
She was backed up with strong defense from freshman Heather Phillips at shortstop, another freshman in rightfield Emma Jarrett, leftfielder Hunter Smart, and centerfielder Emily Quick. All three made nice catches.
Phillips, Jarrett, and Smart have played their way into the lineup. All are first year starters on the varsity team.
Bob Jones trailed 3-0 but struck for five runs in the fifth inning off Hazel Green starter Anita Bates. Two Hazel Green errors allowed two baserunners. McKenna Ray’s single loaded the bases. The big blow was a 2-run single by Mary E. Beasley. Phillips had a hit and an RBI and Jarrett scored on a wild pitch.
Hazel Green’s Haven Hester stroked a solo home run in the sixth to make it a one run game but Pope pitched out of trouble that inning and got the Trojans in order in the seventh.
UNA signee catcher McKenna Ray went 2 for 3 one game after going 3 for 4.
Chambers has also used Jarrett and Beasley pitching this season.
“We’re off to a better start than last year,” Chambers said. “We’ve beat two 7A teams. We’re hitting the ball well and getting good pitching. We’ve been getting production from everybody in the lineup and we stress that the game isn’t over until the last out is made and we’ve rallied to win three games this season.”
Bob Jones will face James Clemens next Tuesday. The game will be the Annual Breast Cancer Awareness game. Both teams will wear pink. The game will be at James Clemens field and starts at 4 p.m. It is an area game also.
“It’s a huge event for the community and all the proceeds go to the Liz Hurley cancer research fund,” said Chambers. “I want to encourage everybody to come out to the game or make a donation. James Clemens has a good team, they have a lot of players back from last year. Hopefully we will be able to make it a good ballgame.”
In between though Bob Jones will be busy. They play Spain Park Thursday, have a weekend tournament, and play a makeup game against Hartselle next Monday.
