Jets collect softball titles

James Clemens defeated Tuscaloosa County 5-4 in the championship game of the Gulf Coast Classic softball tournament. Caroline Payne (4) singled and later scored the winning run on a single by Aubri James (1) in the bottom of the seventh inning. CONTRIBUTED

By MIKE EASTERLING / For the Record

GULF SHORES – His team is ranked No. 4 among the state’s Class 7A high school softball teams and took a 22-4 record into this week after winning the Gulf Coast Classic last Wednesday.

Despite that body of work, James Clemens coach A.J. Daugherty says the Jets can get better.

“We’re playing well enough to win,’’ he said. “The honest truth is we’re not playing as well as we can. That’s a scary, and a cool, thing.’’

The Jets took the second of two tournament championships won over a five-day span in dramatic fashion when Aubri James singled home Caroline Payne with the winning run of a 5-4 victory over sixth-ranked Tuscaloosa County.

The previous Saturday, James Clemens won a tournament it hosted at the Kiwanis SportsPlex in Huntsville.

On the coast, the Jets trailed Tuscaloosa County 4-3 in the bottom of the seventh inning. Mary Kate West singled and later scored on a passed ball to tie the game and Payne singled, leading to James’ game-winner.

James Clemens began bracket play with a 6-1 win over Science Hill (Tenn.), defeated Hazel Green 4-2 in the quarterfinals and 7A, No. 7 Buckhorn 2-0 in the semifinals.

Leading hitters for the Jets included James (9-for-18, nine RBIs), Payne (7-for-18, four RBIs, four stolen bases) and Lila Young (9-for-22, seven runs).

James also pitched 20 innings, allowing 14 hits while striking out 15 and walking none. Emily Jacklin went 27 innings. She allowed 16 hits, struck out 17 and walked two.

The Jets beat 4A, No. 2 Westminster 1-0 in the final of their tournament. Leading the way were Shelby Booker (11-for-16, 11 runs, seven stolen bases) and Payne (9-for-15, two home runs, 10 RBIs, eight runs).