Bob Jones eliminated from playoff race
MADISON- Four straight losses to open area play is not what Bob Jones baseball coach Jared Smith expected but sweeps by Sparkman and now Buckhorn have eliminated Bob Jones from playoff possibility. Friday night Buckhorn scored in every inning except two and stayed comfortably ahead before putting the final touches on an 11-7 win in game 2.
Buckhorn won game one in walkoff fashion 6-5. Kyle Davis started for Buckhorn and Ford Luttrell for Bob Jones.
Again as in previous area games Bob Jones hit into two double plays and left too many men on base. In the field, throwing errors and passed balls cost the Patriots three unearned runs late.
Bob Jones first run was scored when Caden Rose hit into a double play in the third inning. Dylan Ray then singled home a run. The next inning Bob Jones got as close as they did all game when Andrew Gravel’s double scored Dylan Patel to make it a 4-3 game.
With two out in the fourth Caden Rose grounded out to second with runners at second and third.
In the fifth Buckhorn struck back with four straight hits causing Smith to pull starter Coleton Barnes and put in John Michael Riley. Riley allowed one hit, one sac fly and two runs. Riley did get Jackson Holladay to strike out.
“We just couldn’t get them out,” Smith said. “They start 8 or 9 seniors and they know how to win. They hit a bunch of balls up the middle.”
In Bob Jones fifth Dylan Ray hit into a 6-3 double play as shortstop Jordan Henshaw took a grounder stepped on second and fired to first.
Meanwhile Buckhorn tenth grader Trey Wright started for Buckhorn and lasted into the fourth when Justin Parker relieved. Griffin Johnson pitched the seventh inning.
Buckhorn head Coach Roger Wright subbed in lefty Corey Mason to face Ford Luttrell and it proved effective.
“We never could put them away, they never quit. Bob Jones has some young guys and they are going to be tough in the future,” Wright said. “Ford pitched real well in game one. We happened to get some bats on him. I told him after the game he has a great future at Auburn.”
Wright’s son Kyle pitches for Vanderbilt.
Buckhorn faces Sparkman next week to determine area champion and runner up.
“Just to get in the playoffs is big. Sometimes going on the road is good, less distractions,” Wright said.
Bob Jones plays Madison Academy Tuesday for Senior Night. They finish the season with three games against James Clemens next week
Bob Jones still has a lot to play for head coach Jared Smith said.
“We are going to play to win. Against James Clemens it is our big rival so we want to win those games. We will go for the sweep. The playoffs aren’t on the line but everybody will be up for those games. It will be exciting. I expect both teams to play well and not slop through it just because we are out of the playoffs.”
