Bob Jones gets pinch-hit walkoff; James Clemens extends streak

MADISON – Bob Jones backup catcher Elijah Degante was summoned from the bullpen to pinch-hit in what has become known in baseball circles as a “high leverage’’ situation Tuesday night at Toyota Field.

The junior, who had to hurry to get to the batter’s box, didn’t disappoint with the game tied in the bottom of the seventh inning.

Degante, looking for a fastball, got one high and inside and singled into left field to score courtesy runner Nick Koukos to lift the Patriots to a 3-2 win over Lincoln County as part of the Rocket City Trash Pandas’ college and high school promotion.

“It was fantastic,’’ Degante said after he delivered the walk-off hit. “I got my time to shine and did a good job, and came away with the win.’’

Bob Jones, playing for the first time since a successful swing through the Gulf Coast, improved to 16-6. Lincoln County dropped to 8-2.

“That was a nice one there,’’ Patriots head coach Jared Smith said. “It’s good to get back playing and to play here is always cool. You know, the field’s awesome. I’m grateful for the Trash Pandas letting us play here and play Lincoln County, a great team. They’re scrappy.’’

Lincoln County scored twice in the top of the seventh to make it 2-all. Carson Haney singled and later scored on a passed ball, and Ian Weaver singled and later scored on a wild pitch.

Bob Jones went ahead 1-0 in the third when Myles Hammonds singled, stole second and scored on Cole Spanier’s double. In the fourth, Mason Rinehart had an RBI to make it 2-0. He also had a sacrifice bunt to set up the winning run.

Spanier also had a single, Cam Martin and Tanner Hermesch both tripled and Drake Barbee had two stolen bases and scored a run.

Bob Jones starting pitcher Graham Seagraves struck out five, walked four and allowed six hits and no runs in a no-decision.

There were no fielding errors for either team.

“Both teams made good defensive plays,’’ Smith said. “We just did enough, we had a couple more timely hits than they did. But, they did a good job getting back in it and we did a good job of finishing off at the end.’’

The Patriots, ranked No. 5 in Class 7A by MaxPreps,  head south again to play  in the Perfect Game Mid-South Classic at the University of South Alabama in Mobile beginning Thursday.

James Clemens 16, Westminster 3 (5 innings): In Huntsville, the Jets scored 10 times in the top of the first and went on to win their eighth straight to improve to 12-5 after opening the season 0-3.

For James Clemens, ranked No. 8 in 7A by MaxPreps, Matthew Drinkwater had two doubles with three RBI. Bryson Hodge and Hudson Smith both doubled among three hits and had three RBI, and Ian Berry had two hits and an RBI.

Jets starting pitcher Will Congo (1-0) allowed two hits and no runs in two innings.

Nolan Gooded had a two-run double for the Wildcats.

Sparkman visits James Clemens for a doubleheader Friday beginning at 4:30 p.m.

Sparkman 8, Austin 5: In Harvest, the Senators broke a two-game slide and improved to 11-9 overall and 7-3 in their last 10 games.

Sparkman hosts Buckhorn tonight at 5.