Jets win on Booker’s inside the park walk off home run
MADISON- As usual, the last regular season area game had a lot riding on it as Bob Jones traveled to James Clemens Tuesday afternoon. Tied at five, Shelby Booker smacked a 3-1 pitch from Hannah Pope down the left field line that got past a diving Hunter Smart and rolled to the fence. Booker rounded the bases and slid home for the dramatic 6-5 win that moved the Jets past Bob Jones in the final standings.
A four year starter, Booker has been a leader for first year head coach Travis Barnes all season.
“The last time we played Bob Jones they had a bases clearing triple to beat us so it was like that today for us. I’m happy for Shelby because she is a senior and she kind of struggled at the plate today so that was a big hit and with her speed once it got past the outfielder I was sending her,” said Barnes who got his first win over Bob Jones.
“I’m excited for me but more for the girls, especially the seniors because it’s a big game and it’s the final time we will play them on this field.”
It is more than likely the last time the teams will play each other this season.
Bob Jones had leads of 1-0 and 2-0 but the Jets struck for 5 in the third inning on a hit by Eve Mallard that scored 2 runs. Jordan McMeans also had a run-producing hit.
Bob Jones tied it in the sixth on a double by Smart. The tying run scored on a throwing error by Booker.
Both pitchers threw well in the crisply played game.
Emma Jarrett was the starting pitcher for Bob Jones and was relieved by Hannah Pope in the fourth. Holly Sharp pitched all seven innings for James Clemens.
“Holly seemed to get stronger as the game went on,” Barnes said. “She is a sophomore and did not have much varsity experience coming into this year. Early in the year she was throwing over 100 pitches in a game. Now she is being more efficient with her pitches so she has more energy late in a game. It was a quick game because both teams for the most part played solid in the field.”
Barnes had to rebuild the middle of his team this season including shortstop, centerfield, and all the pitching.
“We will play some more games but we are getting ready for the area tournament, looks like we will play Buckhorn and we split with them this season,” Barnes said.
Area tournament is May 4 at Sparkman.
