Bob Jones takes game 1

MADISON-  Emotions ran high Thursday night at Bob Jones as the city rivals squared off in their final baseball games of the season. Game one was dominated by pitching but it was the hitters that ultimately decided it in the bottom of the seventh as Bob Jones scored the game winning run on a Ben East hit and won 3-2.

The series will resume today at 4 pm at James Clemens as the Jets try to end what is now a 4 game losing streak to Bob Jones.

Ford Luttrell made his final start in a Bob Jones uniform and got the win going the distance. Zach Toth was equally impressive for James Clemens also going the distance.

Tied at one going into the fifth Caden Rose hit his second home run of the season to put Bob Jones up 2-1. Tommy Crider’s triple scored the equalizer in the sixth for the Jets. Luttrell pitched out of a bases loaded jam by striking out Grant Hopkins and a ground out to Rose at short.

Mitch Daly started the seventh with a walk then advanced on a wild pitch. Toth then intentionally walked Rose and Connor Daly to load the bases. East stroked a solid single to right for the walkoff win for Bob Jones.

“Caden’s home run really energized our guys,” said Bob Jones head coach Jared Smith. “Both teams were competitive and going at each other hard. Ford pitched really well. Caden is not a home run guy but he does have some power. It was a no doubter he hit it well. He has a tremendous future for us.”

Smith told his team “we can’t get in the playoffs but the next best thing is beating James Clemens. It’s big for them too. It was an intense hard fought game. Both teams brought energy. Obviously we wish the playoffs were on the line but all we can control now is finish the season strong.”