Jets, Patriots, Mustangs Advance In State Baseball Playoffs

MADISON- Three of the four local high schools have advanced in the post-season AHSAA Baseball State Playoffs. Sparkman was the lone loser of the four as it faced rival Bob Jones. Both James Clemens and Madison Academy also joined Bob Jones on the trip to the next round.

Class 7A-

The fourth-ranked Bob Jones Patriots hosted neighbor rival Sparkman in round one of the Class 7A playoffs and nailed the visiting Senators in two games of the best-of-three series. The Patriots defeated the Senators 9-0, 3-1.

In game one, Sam Mitchell (P, 6-6, 215, Jr.) pitched a three-hit gem while striking out nine to grab the victory on the mound. He was 1/3 at the plate with three RBIs. With six runs in the fifth inning, the Patriots opened up the offense led by Gavin Moran (1B, 6-3, 185, Sr.) who had a homer, Ryan Revera (C, 5-19, 160, Sr.) a triple and Fisher Moss (OF, 6-2, 185, Sr.) who was 1/3.

In game two, starting pitcher Braden Booth (P, 6-0, 185, So.) picked up the win tossing a four-hitter and striking out 10 Senators. He also added a RBI double with his bat. Moran and Moss added homeruns while Gracin Wilson (2B, 5-19, 170, Sr.) was 2/3. The Patriots scored runs in the third, fourth and seventh innings.

Bob Jones (35-8) will face Vestavia Hills (22-15) in round two while Sparkman ends its 2022 season at 17-17.

Meanwhile, James Clemens, which fell to Bob Jones in the Area 8 Championship, traveled to face Area 7 champ Huntsville (22-12) and came away with a two-game sweep of the Panthers.

In game one, the Jets edged the Panthers 4-3 and were led by junior Andrew Lawrence (SS, 6-3, 175, Jr.) who had three hits at the plate. Nate Guyse (C, 6-3, 185, Jr.) belted a homer in the sixth inning to give the Jets the lead in a 2-1 victory in game two. Luke Davenport (P, 6-3, 185, So.) came on in fine style and picked up the win.

James Clemens (23-18) will now face No. 1 ranked Hewitt-Trussville (26-3-1) in round two.

Class 5A-

Sixth-ranked Madison Academy needed to extend its series to three games versus Corner before taking the series victory and advanced to round three of the Class 5A state playoffs.

The Mustangs posted 2-1, 3-4, 14-5 scores against No. 9 Corner. In the third and deciding game, the Mustangs exploded on offense with 16 hits and were led by a trio of bats at the plate. Bump Burgreen (INF, Sr.) was 4/4, Tee Foster was 3/5 with three RBIs and Dylan Tiede (INF, Sr.) was 2/4 with three RBIs.

Madison Academy (27-13) will now face No. 7 Alexandria (24-13) in round three.