James Clemens wins 5-4 in extra innings over Sparkman
Aubrey James works to a Sparkman batter in a Class 7A, Area 8 game Tuesday at James Clemens (Record Photo/ Lindsay Vaught)
MADISON- Aubrey James never flinched.
The senior pitched a nine inning complete game in which her team never led until she scored the game-winning run in the ninth inning on a double by Emily Jacklin.
“That’s the biggest clutch hit I’ve ever got,” Jacklin said after the game. “I was lacking confidence going into this game. I’m just glad we got the win. Aubrey pitched outstanding today. I’m so proud of her she held her own with them. We couldn’t have asked for a better pitching performance.”
James ran her record to 12-4. Two of those wins have come against Sparkman in area games.
The win puts the Jets in control of Class 7A, Area 8 with a 3-1 record.
Jacklin has 16 wins herself.
James Clemens is ranked third in 7A behind Baker and Hoover. Sparkman is fifth.
James Clemens was down to their last three outs but rallied for two runs in the seventh to push the game to extra innings. Two bunt singles, a walk, and a run-scoring hit by Lila Young tied the game.
Still Sparkman pitcher Kailey Stoker got out of a bases loaded no-out jam to extend the game.
Stoker was a tough luck loser. She got the Jets in order in the sixth and was poised to close what would have been a huge win for Sparkman. The Senators played without shortstop and Auburn commit Mackenzie Nutt. Still the Senators got stellar defense from TJ Webster st short and Amanda Shikoh at third.
Trailing 1-0 James Clemens generated a run in the third on a bunt single by Shelby Booker who stole second and scored on two-out double by Caroline Payne. Booker scored again on a double steal in the fifth.
James got some help from her catcher, Laura-Lin Chaffin who threw out a baserunner to end the fourth inning and another in the fifth.
Sparkman forged a lead in sixth as Stoker and Taylor Davis scored runs.
“I’m just proud of the team to keep coming back,” Jets Head Coach AJ Daugherty said. “Aubrey pitched a good game not her best stuff but good enough to beat one of the best hitting teams in the state. We feel confident with whoever we put out there.”
The combination of Jacklin and James, both senior pitchers, make the Jets a solid contender for a state championship. Last season the Jets advanced to the NW Regional but Sparkman and Buckhorn advanced to the state championship tournament. Baker is the defending champion in 7A.
“It’s huge to sweep Sparkman, they are a great program. They are going to play solid softball and you better also to have a chance to win,” Daugherty added.
James Clemens will host Hazel Green and go to Bob Jones to wrap up area play in the next two weeks.
