Bob Jones narrowly escapes Hazel Green scare
Luke Whaley delivers a pitch to Hazel Green’s Austin Pearce (Record Photo/Lindsay Vaught)
MADISON- That was close. Bob Jones had to win both games Saturday in a doubleheader at Hazel Green to win the series that will go a long way in determining who makes the playoffs. The Patriots won 6-3 in the first game and 5-3 in the second.
A frustrating 4-3 loss Friday night put added pressure on the players. Bob Jones had runners on base in the seventh inning but a fly out by Jackson Rumley and strikeout of Harrison Leach ended the game. Luke Whaley pitched seven strong innings allowing 5 hits but 2 errors cost Bob Jones 2 runs. Hazel Green starting pitcher Tyler Duskin pitched into the seventh and held Bob Jones scoreless the last three innings. He was relieved by Matthew Ford in the seventh.
“I feel good about who we have pitching and all our guys,” said Bob Jones Head Baseball Coach Jared Smith. “We have depth on the mound and defensively. They scored two when we misplayed a ball.”
In game 2 Saturday Trammell Shepherd had the big blow, a 2-run home run to give Bob Jones add on runs in the seventh. Shepherd and Isaiah Walker hit doubles to score two runs in the fifth. The next half inning Zack Duvall started a double play. Garrett Gillum started and Coleton Barnes relieved and got the win with 3 2/3 innings of scoreless relief.
Shepherd bounced back after going 0-for-3 Friday night.
In game 3, trailing 3-1 Connor Daly knocked in 2 runs with a double. Zack Duvall had an RBI to put Bob Jones ahead. Cole Smith started and Barnes again relieved. Duvall picked up the save.
Barnes started the year on junior varsity but has come on since his promotion.
“It took a total team effort to pull off the sweep today,” Smith said. “We didn’t hit very well but found a way to win both games.”
Meanwhile James Clemens was swept 2-0 by Sparkman. Next weekend’s games between Madison’s city rivals are huge. If Bob Jones wins the series they would be in the playoffs. James Clemens needs to win the series to stay in playoff contention.
“I feel good about our team going into the James Clemens series,” Smith said. “The guys know we still control our own destiny but we have to keep improving to reach our goals.”
The teams will play a single game Friday night at James Clemens then a Saturday doubleheader at Bob Jones starting at 11 a.m.
