Bob Jones sophomore pitcher king of the hill(s)
VESTAVIA – Bob Jones placed their postseason existence on the arm of sophomore pitcher Hudson Olive in a Game 3 showdown with Vestavia Hills.
Wise decision.
The seventh-ranked Patriots got a complete game from the underclassman in a 6-1 victory Saturday that secured a berth in this week’s second, or quarterfinal, round of the Class 7A baseball playoffs. He allowed six hits and one earned run while striking out six and walking one.
“You’re talking about a gutsy start, to go on the mound in that atmosphere as a 10th-grader and to be able to hold an offense like Vestavia, probably the best offense in the state on paper, to one run – just an incredible job by him.
“Vestavia – it’s a tough place to play. To be able to win there, it’s difficult, no doubt, but I think it shows a lot about this team and how tough and resilient they are. The belief they have in themselves right now is incredible. ’’
Vestavia’s lone run came in the bottom of the first inning when the Rebels scored on a double play with the bases loaded.
Bob Jones tied it at 1-all in the top of the second when Nick Koukos, who reached on a hit-by-pitch and went to third base on an error, stole home with two outs.
Olive and the Patriots took control from there.
The sophomore gave up just four hits after the first inning. Bob Jones surged ahead 3-1 in the second when Cole Spanier doubled, Kamrin Jenkins was hit by a pitch, and both moved up on a sacrifice by Greyson Wuis.
Spanier scored on a sacrifice fly by Josh Wilhide, and Jenkins came home on a single by Tayte Dunn.
The Patriots added three in the fifth on a fielder’s choice, a wild pitch and an RBI-single by Graham Segraves.
Jenkins doubled among two hits and scored twice, while Dunn had two hits with two RBIs.
“Great series,’’ Smith said. “Our fans, I thought, played a big part in it on Saturday,’’ Smith said. “I thought we were louder and more intense than they were. And we just competed hard and had good at-bats. We haven’t had consistently good at-bats this year, but we did over the weekend, so it gave us a chance.’’
Bob Jones (26-16) hosts No. 9 Thompson (24-17) in another best-of-three Friday and Saturday. Game times are TBA.
