BJHS, Sparkman split doubleheader

Bob Jones High School's Nate Nelson starts a swing for a single during the first game of a doubleheader Tuesday at Sparkman.

By BRAD GASKINS / Special to the Record

HARVEST – Bob Jones High School split a baseball doubleheader with Sparkman on Tuesday.

Bob Jones won the first game 14-4 in six innings, and Sparkman won the second game 19-8 in five innings on Breast Cancer Awareness Night at Sparkman.

Mason Thornberry threw all six innings and was the winning pitcher for Bob Jones (19-10) in the first game.

“He threw for strikes and threw his off-speed (pitches) for strikes,” Bob Jones coach Jeff Bell said. “He did a tremendous job keeping their hitters off balance and we were able to get them out.”

Carson Cooper hit 4-for-4 with a homerun, and Pat Mullin was 3-for-5 with five RBIs for Bob Jones in the first game. Austin Sanders was 3-for-4 with a triple and two RBIs.

Bob Jones won the area championship last week and rested several players in the second game in preparation for hosting the first round of the state playoffs.

In the second game, Matthew Woody was the winning pitcher for Sparkman (13-16).

Tyler Brazelton hit 3-for-3 with two RBIs, and Tyler Torres was 3-for-3 with three RBIs for Sparkman.

“Our kids swung the bats really well,” Sparkman coach Kellen Greer said. “We had some things go our way. It was nice to get back on that side of it after game one.”

Greer said he was especially pleased with the turnout for the team’s inaugural breast cancer awareness night. Three players on Sparkman’s team have mothers who have breast cancer, he said.

Sparkman players are coaches wore black jerseys with pink numerals and lettering for Breast Cancer Awareness Night.

Sparkman wore black jerseys with pink numerals and lettering. Pink bows were displayed. Pink lemonade, t-shirts and bracelets were sold, with money raised going to the Avon Foundation Breast Cancer Crusade.

“I’m glad we could from our campus and our community maybe bring a greater awareness about it for a great cause,” Greer said. “Maybe we can make this an annual event, as long as we keep it in perspective and do it for the right reasons.

“It was a privilege to do it. Obviously it was an emotional night.