James Clemens sweeps two on first day of area tournament
Aubri James circles the bases after a two run home run Friday (Photo contributed/David Swager)
MADISON- James Clemens softball team began what they hope is a historic run in the playoffs by first defeating Bob Jones 12-6 then defeating Sparkman 11-4 on Thursday.
The wins clinch a trip to the NW Regional next weekend. The Jets will await the team to come out of the losers bracket and play for the area championship on Friday at 4 p.m.
Aubri James was the hitting and pitching star for James Clemens. Against Bob Jones she relieved starting pitcher Emily Jacklin and worked two scoreless innings. She also belted a two run home run, singled, and doubled. Caroline Payne went 3-4 with 3 RBI and Shelby Booker was 4-4 and on base all five plate appearances.
Bob Jones got on the board first on a home run by Nicole Buccieri and went ahead 6-4 in the fourth as the Patriots scored four runs on errors by Jets players. But the lead was short-lived as James Clemens got four singles from MaryKate West, Booker, Lila Young, and Payne to score four and retake the lead.
Emma Jarrett took the loss.
“It was a big win,” Jets coach A.J. Daugherty said. “In the post season it is just win and advance. We knew going into the game we would have a short leash on our starting pitcher. We are very confident in both pitchers. Booker changes the game when she gets on base. It puts pressure on the defense because of the speed she has.”
James Clemens is still ranked #1 in 7A but Daugherty said that despite the high ranking his team still has room to improve.
“We talked about it, none of that matters everybody is zero and zero in the playoffs. It’s all about surviving and advancing.”
In the upcoming NW Regional one of the top three teams in the state won’t advance. James Clemens, Sparkman, and Buckhorn are ranked 1-2-3 and only two can advance.
James Clemens has never advanced to Montgomery and the AHSAA Softball Championships.
After Sparkman defeated Hazel Green 12-2 James Clemens faced Sparkman for a trip to the championship game.
The Jets got to starter Kailey Stoker in a 6-run second inning. The rally featured triples by Jordan McMeans and Katie McCarley. Emily Jacklin, West, and Booker also reached and scored. MaryKate West belted a three run home run the next inning to stake James Clemens to a big lead.
Meanwhile Aubri James started and allowed only four runs on five hits through seven innings. She struck out Amanda Shikoh to end a threat in the fifth.
Bob Jones faces Hazel Green at 11 a.m. Friday and the loser’s season will be over.
