Patriots sweep Jets; await word on playoffs
Coleton Barnes pitches against James Clemens Saturday (Record Photo/Lindsay Vaught)
MADISON- Bob Jones did their part to punch their ticket for the Class 7A playoffs Saturday with a 6-5 win over James Clemens. If Sparkman wins their series against Hazel Green the Patriots are in the playoffs. It would end a two year drought of missing the postseason.
With 14 seniors on the varsity roster it is a special accomplishment. Bob Jones is now 4-1 in area play and faces Sparkman next Thursday and Friday.
“We won a lot of games this season but nothing matters if you don’t win in area play,” said first-year head baseball coach Jared Smith. “I’m proud of our guys. We were down 3-0 and 5-2. We could have folded, it was total team effort. Gillum had a back issue so we got him out early and went to Coleton Barnes. He’s our go-to guy, nothing phases him. He is a strike thrower and he got the job done. Both games were tight, they are a good club.”
James Clemens jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first inning. Immanuel Wilder led off the game with a double and scored. Ethan Thomas and Jordan Anderson also scored. Bob Jones came right back with two runs. Ford Luttrell singled and two walks loaded the bases and Garrett Gillum singled scoring Luttrell and Zack Duvall. Jet’s rightfielder Alan Anderson threw out Harrison Leach at the plate on the same play.
Bob Jones starting pitcher Garrett Gillum gave up a single and walk in the second before Jordan Anderson chased him with a 2-run single.
Coleton Barnes came on and got out of the jam. Barnes fed the Jets a steady diet of curveballs that were breaking into the strike zone. He worked clean innings in the 4th, 5th, and 6th. He worked out of a bases loaded jam in the seventh fielding a bunt and scooping the ball to catcher Jackson Rumley for the out.
Isaiah Walker hit a home run in the fourth inning to bring Bob Jones to within a run and in the fifth Walker was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded to drive in the eventual game winning run.
“He has been solid, not real flashy but is one of our top guys at the plate,” Smith said of Walker. “He makes every play at first base. He caught a foul ball up against the fence. His home run got us some momentum and broke up a scoreless stretch. We felt really good about Colton, he put up five zeros.”
James Clemens starter Garrett Brown worked into the fifth inning and was relieved by Jacob Phillips. Both pitchers worked out of bases loaded jams.
Barnes got pinch hitter Grayson Koesters to fly out to left to end the game with runners on second and third.
“I was told I would be the first man in relief after Gillum,” Barnes said. “I was hoping he would go at least five. I felt in the pen that my curve ball was working so I went out there they kept swinging and missing. I didn’t worry about the pressure. When I’m on the mound I just focus on pitching. It would be great to get in the playoffs. I’m extremely happy for the seniors. They have been through a lot.”
