Area play wraps up for softball teams, James Clemens will host

Kailey Stoker gets a hit for Sparkman (Record Photo/Lindsay Vaught)

MADISON- Softball teams finished area games Tuesday as James Clemens won 4-2 over Hazel Green and Bob Jones lost 11-0 against Sparkman.

Sparkman’s Lily Calvert pitched a complete game and Kailey Stoker went 4 for 4 with 3 doubles, 2 runs scored and 2 RBI. The hitting woes continued for Bob Jones as they have now been shutout in four straight area games covering 26 innings.

For Sparkman, Mackenzie Nutt is back after missing games with a back injury. The Senators are primed for another strong post-season run says Coach Dale Palmer.

“Our issues are more mental than physical. If we play our game and worry about what we can control then we will do ok. We will have shot to move forward and make another run at a state title if we play the way we’re capable of.”

Bob Jones had chances to end the scoring drought. They had the bases loaded with one out in the fifth but McKenna Ray and Emma Jarrett flied out. Sparkman put the game away in the sixth on RBI singles by Nutt and Stoker. In the field Haley Cope at first base and Brooke Pooler at third made nice plays.

For Bob Jones Hannah Pope pitched 4 innings and was relieved by Bailey Anderson.

“We are having trouble getting the bats going in the regular season, we have had success in some weekend tournaments,” said Bob Jones coach Kent Chambers. “We’re getting some hits we just need to put some together. It’s a tough area we are in. When playoffs start everybody starts back at 0-0. We will be ready to go when the playoffs start.”

James Clemens, the #1 ranked team in 7A, defeated Hazel Green 4-2 to finish area play at 5-1. In another first, the Jets will host the Class 7A Area 8 tournament the week of May 2-7. Exact dates have not been set.

“We are excited to host the tournament,” Jets coach A.J. Daugherty said. “Our kids have worked hard to earn this and that includes this year’s team and previous years. We have to continue to improve and be playing our best when May gets here.”

James Clemens will face Bob Jones who finished last in the area. Sparkman will play Hazel Green. Losers of those games will see their seasons end.

Senior night for James Clemens is April 28 vs Athens.