Sparkman plays long ball in area win over Bob Jones
Mackenzie Nutt lines a pitch to left field in action from Sparkman’s win over Bob Jones (Record Photo/ Lindsay Vaught)
HARVEST- Sparkman is rounding into playoff form and that is bad news for opponents. Tuesday night it was Bob Jones turn to take a pounding and Sparkman did just that winning 14-0 in five innings.
The top-ranked team in Class 7A, Sparkman started fast against Bob Jones starting pitcher Hannah Pope by scoring two runs in the first inning and three in the second. Pope lasted one and a third innings and gave up six hits and five runs before Bob Jones coach Kent Chambers brought in Hannah Manis to pitch.
Sparkman leadoff hitter Taylor Davis went 3 for 3 with a walk and scored 4 runs. She led off the game with a walk and scored. She scored again in the second after a double by Mackenzie Nutt. She singled in the third and was on base with Bailey Mays and Kailey Stoker when Savannah Hays blasted a long grand slam home run over the left field fence 200 yards away.
The seven runs in the third came off Hannah Manis.
Bailey Anderson pitched the fourth inning and gave up two runs. Nutt’s double to the fence was the big blow. Anderson, however, struck out Haley Cope to end the inning and avoid being 15 run ruled.
Bob Jones didn’t come close to scoring a run against Sparkman’s Paige Bannerman. The Patriots had two hits and got three walks. They did not have a runner past second base.
Bannerman got the final out in the fifth, a pop fly to second baseman Jessica Lowery.
Sparkman Coach Dale Palmer said his team is playing about as well as they have all year.
“I was worried about how we would play since we have not played a game since last Thursday but we did a very good job,” Palmer said. “This team is different. They can be acting goofy and still come out and hit. We’ve got lots of kids and any of them can take a game over hitting. Lately three or four of them have had multiple hits in a game and when that happens we will score quite a few runs.”
“I’m pleased with how we’re playing,” Palmer said. “We’ve got some internal things to work on, understanding our role and what is expected of us. It’s taken longer to get to that point with all the rainouts. I’m excited where we are as far as ability and potential to do well.”
Palmer, as he usually does, plays a lot of players. Recently he has moved freshman Amanda Shikoh to varsity and she played third base. She had a single, sacrifice fly and RBI against Bob Jones.
He will get Kailey Stoker back as pitcher this week. Stoker, a sophomore, has been playing second base. She played a prominent role last season pitching in the championship series against Hillcrest. She has not pitched this season due to shoulder surgery.
Mackenzie Nutt (left) and Kailey Stoker
The win wraps up area play for Sparkman who will finish in a first place tie with James Clemens who beat Hazel Green 6-3 Tuesday. Both had 5-1 area records. The tie breaker is yet to be decided.
Area tournaments start April 24 and must wrap by May 2. Regionals are May 7-9.
“It will start counting then,” Palmer said. “That’s when the pressure gets on. You have to win. This is a new group of kids so we will have to see if they get after it in the playoffs.”
