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James Clemens edges Buckhorn in clash of ranked 7A rivals
By MIKE EASTERLING /
For the Record
MADISON
—
Hoping to get off to a winning start in their first game of a highly-competitive Class
7A, Area 8, both sixth-ranked James Clemens High School and No. 5 Buckhorn battled until the
final out Wednesday night in softball.
The game was in doubt until the Bucks, who rallied for two runs to pull within one, grounded out
with a runner on second to end the game as the Jets escaped with a 6-5 win.
James Clemens trailed 2-0 in the first inning and 3-1 in the fourth, but scored four runs in the
bottom of the fourth to take the lead for good.
“Everyone pretty much knows our area is one of the toughest in the state,’’ said Jets senior
center fielder Mary Kate West, who had a two-run single in the decisive fourth.
“Just to get that one was important. We were so pumped up we played at another level.’’
Thursday, James Clemens lost a non-area thriller on the road at 6A, No. 6 Hazel Green 8-
7 in eight innings.
The Jets take a 16-9 record into upcoming games with Area 8 rivals
Bob Jones and Sparkman, which is ranked No. 2.
Against Buckhorn, Makayla Barnett, Matti Chaffin and Eve Mallard all had two hits in the bottom
three spots of the Jets batting order. Barnett, Shelby Booker, Lila Young and Laura-Lin Chaffin
had RBIs.
Holly Sharp went all seven innings to get the win.
