James Clemens clinches series with Bob Jones

MADISON – James Clemens’ first two batters gave starting pitcher Matthew Evers all the run support he would need Friday against city rival Bob Jones.

Evers worked out of a bases-load jam in the top of the first inning, then faced just four batters over the minimum the rest of the way in a four-hit shutout.

In the bottom of the first, Hayden Udovich led off with a single, and Bryson Hodge followed with a home run and the Jets were off to a 6-0 win and a series clincher over the Patriots. James Clemens, looking to win the rivalry series, settled that issue in the opener. The Patriots took the nightcap, 10-1.

James Clemens had already clinched the Class 7A, Area 8 championship with a win over Bob Jones on Thursday, and the Patriots were assured of a playoff berth as the area runners-up before the series began.

Before the loss in the regular season finale, the Jets had won 10 of 11.

“I think we’re playing better baseball than we were early, for sure,’’ Jets head coach Johnny Johnson said. “That was obviously a big series, not just to win the area but to win the series overall and head into the playoffs on a good note.’’

The 7A playoffs begin this week, and both Madison City Schools have tall challenges ahead when a best-of-three series for each begins Friday.

James Clemens (22-16) hosts Hewitt-Trussville (26-7), which was ranked No. 2 in the final Alabama Sports Writers Association rankings. A Friday doubleheader is scheduled for 5 and 7:30 p.m. If necessary, Game 3 is set for 1 p.m. on Saturday.

Bob Jones (25-16) will travel to Vestavia Hills (26-11), the No. 1 team in that same poll. A doubleheader Friday is set for 4:30 and 7 p.m. Game 3, if necessary, will be on Saturday at 1 p.m.

The ninth-ranked Patriots will seek to regain form that saw them win 13-of-16 before the two straight losses to James Clemens.

James Clemens 6, Bob Jones 0: Evers had two hits and an RBI in a 12-hit attack that backed up his gem. Udovich had two hits, including a triple to pair with his single in the first and had two RBIs. Brooks Rhodes doubled among two hits; Jesse Isensee added two hits and Zachary Schenk singled home a run for the Jets.

Cole Spanier doubled among two hits, Josh Wilhide doubled and starter Graham Segraves took the loss for the Patriots.

Bob Jones 10, James Clemens 1: Spanier allowed four hits, struck out two and walked one in four innings to get the win. He also had two hits and an RBI.

Joshua Wilhide had two hits and two RBIs, Greyson Wuis had two hits and one RBI and Segraves added a hit and RBI. Nick Koukos had four of the team’s 13 stolen bases, Wes Aldridge had three and Wilhide two.

Udovich had two hits and the lone RBI for the Jets. Nash Mendoza had two hits, including a double. Starter Tristan Blalock was tagged with the loss.