Sparkman wins pitching duel to take series over Bob Jones

By Lindsay Vaught for the Record

MADISON- For five innings Ford Luttrell pitched a no-hitter in a key area game against Sparkman Friday. Likewise, Bob Jones hitters couldn’t get anything going against Sparkman’s side arming pitcher Braden Garrison.

But after a 35 minute delay to get the lights on, the teams combined for 11 runs in the seventh inning and Sparkman held on for a 7-5 victory.

Sparkman’s McKinley Erves got the first hit off Luttrell in the sixth and scored on a ground out by Trevor Shelton. In the seventh, Garrison started the inning off with a double, Erves singled through a drawn in infield, Sparkman got a run on a wild pitch, then Andrew Stempe had the big two RBI single before Luttrell was lifted for Brendan Bickleman.

Down 7-0 Bob Jones rallied for five runs with two out. Mitch Daly doubled then two batters were hit by pitches and John Michael Riley knocked in two runs with a fly to right that was caught then dropped. Caden Rose added to the suspense with a two RBI single but Connor Daly grounded outto third to end the game.

“Braden did a great job on the mound tonight. He kept his pitch count low, pounded the strike zone and made quality pitches all game,” said Sparkman Head Coach Kellen Greer. “Both teams battled back. This is a tough area and the kids want to win. It was a nerve wracking game. To win a series is difficult and against a rival is really tough. To beat Ford it took an amazing job by our team. He was electric tonight, the best I have seen him.”

Bob Jones coach Jared Smith said he would play the third game Saturday at noon like it was a playoff game because “it could come into play for tie-breaker purposes. Obviously Sparkman would own the tie-breaker against us but if there is three or two way tie for second place it could come down to record against area opponents.”