Patriots’ comeback falls short in first game of Class 7A championship series
MONTGOMERY – The Patriots opened up the Class 7A state championship best-of-three series in Montgomery with a tough loss against McGill-Toolen.
Despite a 5-run deficit in the seventh inning, Bob Jones almost came all the way back, eventually falling 8-6 on Friday. They scored three runs in the failed comeback on a error, a double by John Michael Riley, and a single by Slate Alford.
The Patriots couldn’t keep up with McGill-Toolen early in the game, who scored on a home run by Chandler Best, a double by Spencer Hadley, and a triple by Martino in the first inning.
McGill-Toolen got things started in the first inning when Best hit a solo homer.
Bob Jones put up three runs in the seventh inning. The big bats in the inning were led by a single by Alford, an error on a ball put in play by Dylan Ray, and a double by Riley.
Austin East took the loss for the Patriots. He lasted two and a third innings, allowing eight hits and five runs while striking out two and walking zero.
Bob Jones racked up nine hits in the game. Mitchell Daly and Ray all managed multiple hits. Ray and Daly all had two hits to lead the Patriots.
Game 2 will be held Saturday at 10 a.m. in the Riverwalk Stadium in Montgomery.
