Bob Jones wins on Peyton Ward walk-off double

MADISON- As dusk fell Tuesday night, Peyton Ward stepped to the plate with the game on the line. Bob Jones Coach Whitney Deaver asked her if she wanted to try a squeeze play to force the tying run home. Ward said that she wanted to swing away and she did; lining a pitch from Maddie McKeon past leftfielder Autumn Marion and scoring two runs for a dramatic 11-10 area win over James Clemens.

“I grew up playing with her,” Ward said of facing McKeon. “Coach Deaver asked if I felt confident hitting against her and I said I got it then I turned around and I thought I hope I didn’t just mess up. The whole team contributed. We worked together as a team not letting those runs get us down. It was great.”

The game came down to who got the last at bat as both teams took advantage of the damp air with wind blowing out. A total of 8 home runs were hit, four by each team.

Bob Jones struck first with a solo home run by Taylor Weddington in the second. Then the Patriots loaded the bases and freshman Aubrie Lisenby connected for a grand slam against Holly Sharp and Bob Jones was up 6-0.

James Clemens came right back, loaded the bases and Jordan McMeans hit a grand slam. Bob Jones starting pitcher Emma Jarrett was relieved by Bailey Tatum.

The Jets later took the lead on back to back homeruns by McMeans and Eve Mallard. In the seventh the Jets padded their lead to 10-7 on a pinch hit two run home run by Brooklyn Daly.

Down to their last three outs Bob Jones roared back led by a home run by Heather Phillips.

James Clemens Coach Travis Barnes then changed pitchers, bringing in McKeon but Bob Jones rallied again.

Taylor Weddington walked, Chloe Johnson singled, Erin Chambliss doubled bringing Ward to the plate. Her hit left a huge crowd for James Clemens stunned. It also threw the area race wide open as all four teams now have at least one loss.

Dating back to last season it is the fourth straight game between the two cross-town rivals to end in walk-off fashion.

Deaver with Peyton Ward

“It was a big win. I’m proud of them for coming back. Our area is tough,” Deaver said. “Every time we play them it is close. Bailey pitched great. She came in there and she was very composed.”

For Tatum, a freshman, it was the first time on the big stage of an area game but she pounded the strike zone and picked up the win.

“Every game we get Bailey and Emma warmed up as if they are starting,” Deaver said. “I felt Bailey was the one to go with today.”