Alabama Daily Roundup: April 15th

6A No. 4 Cullman (2) vs. 6A No. 6 Hartselle (0)

CULLMAN, AL - The Hartselle Tigers travelled to Cullman on Thursday to take on rival and area opponent, Cullman Bearcats after dropping game one of the series at home. In 6A Area 14, the winner of the series between the #4 Bearcats and the #6 Tigers would take the area title while the loser would be runner-up. Hartselle pitted Auburn commit Elliott Bray against Cullman’s Jeb Bartle. The Bearcats would take down the Tigers 2-0.

Jeb Bartle’s first inning would set the pace for the Bearcats, with a swift 3 up, 3 down inning. Hartselle’s first inning would not be so sweet however, after a leadoff strikeout, the Bearcats would string together 3 straight singles from Brennen Norton, Hayden Stancil, and Kaleb Heatherly. With the bases loaded and one out, Max Dueland would ground into a fielder's choice, but beat out the throw to first to give Cullman a 1-0 lead in the first. 

Brodie Morrow would lead the next inning off for the Tigers with a single, but a double play following this would prevent any scoring opportunity. The second inning would almost be deja vu for the Bearcats, as 3 singles would once again load the bases, but a strikeout from Bray would get the Tigers out of the inning. Hartselle would get 3 more hits in the game; an infield single by Eli Snelson in the 3rd, and infield single by Elliot Bray in the 4th, and a line drive up the middle by Drew Cartee, none of which would bear any runs. 

The Bearcats 2-3-4 hitters would terrorize the Tigers, owning 6 of the 8 Bearcat hits. Norton would step to the plate with one out in the 5th, looking to widen the gap for the Bearcats, he would send a double down the left field line to set up Hayden Stancil. Stancil would promptly send a shot off the wall to score Norton as they would trade places.

Jeb Bartle and Elliott Bray were equally as dominant all day, as both would finish the game for their squads. Bartle would finish the day with 7 Innings, 4 hits, 0 walks, 0 runs, and 4 strikeouts, while Bray would end his line with 6 innings, 2 runs, 1 walk, and 9 punch outs

Top Performers - Cullman

Brennen Norton 3-3, 2 R, 2B

Hayden Stancil 2-3, 2B, RBI

Kaleb Heatherly 1-3 

Jeb Bartle 7 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 4 K

Top Performers - Hartselle

Elliott Bray 6 IP, 8 H, 2 R, 1 BB, 9 K, 1-3 1B

6A Wetumpka (2) vs. 6A Stanhope Elmore (0)

WETUMPKA, AL - Class 6A Area 5 is one of the few areas where there are only three teams compiled into one area, but that’s the case for Wetumpka, Stanhope Elmore and Benjamin Russell. This makes each area game extremely important, as your season essentially comes down to just four games against your area foes. After both Wetumpka and Stanhope Elmore swept Benjamin Russell, that set the stage for these two teams to meet to determine who the area winner and runner-up will be for the Class 6A State Playoffs. After Wetumpka jumped out to a 1-0 series lead after an 8-2 victory at Stanhope Elmore on Tuesday, both teams met again at Wetumpka High School on Thursday. Needing only one win to clinch the area title, the Indians sent LHP Jaxon Shineflew (2023) to the mound, while the Mustangs countered with RHP Zach Stevens (2023). 

Offensive highlights were hard to come by throughout the course of the game for both teams. Both teams tossed a scoreless 1st and 2nd inning to start the contest, but things changed in the 3rd inning as the Indians were able to crack the scoreboard. After Shineflew tossed another scoreless top half, the Indians loaded the bases with one out in the bottom half. After SS Ty Brooks (2023) singled, 2B Noah Jones (2022) was hit-by-pitch and OF Doug Johnson (2022) walked, the Indians found themselves in business with the middle of the order up. C Garrit Terrell (2022) worked into a two-strike count, but handled a breaking ball up in the zone and dropped it into right field to bring home Brooks and Jones for a two RBI single. Wetumpka carried a 2-0 lead in the 4th, and never looked back from there.

This game transpired into a pitchers’ duel with a pair of sophomores stepping up in arguably their team’s biggest game yet. LHP Jaxon Shineflew (2023) was extremely efficient on the mound, as he ended up going the distance for the Indians. The sophomore southpaw faced only three hitters over the minimum, who both reached on singles. RHP Zach Stevens (2023) was equally impressive in his own right, and pitched well enough to win the game. Other than the rocky 3rd inning, Stevens was very impressive on the mound. 

The two RBI single in the 3rd by Terrell ended up being the only offense for either team in this contest. Both squads went three-up, three-down in each of their last two innings, and the Indians ended up prevailing in a well-played, 2-0 victory to give them the Class 6A Area 5 Championship. Wetumpka will host the 1st round of the 6A State Playoffs, while Stanhope Elmore will have to travel as the runner-up.

Top Performers - Wetumpka

Jaxon Shineflew - W, 7 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 BB & 3 K’s

Garrit Terrell - 1-3, 2 RBI’s

Top Performers - Stanhope Elmore

Zach Stevens - 6 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 BB’s & 7 K’s

Chase Williams - 1-2, SB

7A No. 5 Bob Jones (9) vs. 7A No. 6 Florence (8)

MADISON, AL - The 6^th ranked Florence Falcons traveled to Madison on Thursday, April 15 for Games 2 and 3 of a key 7A Area 8 series against the fifth ranked Bob Jones Patriots. The Falcons won Game 1 on Tuesday by a score of 4-1. In Game 2 the Falcons sent RHP Samuel Sneed (2022) to the mound as the Patriots countered with RHP Thomas Ballard (2021, UAB). Both games on Thursday were played in front of a raucous environment that added to the intensity of the big-time matchup. Neither starting pitcher factored into the decision as Ballard was more effective from the bump. The senior went 6.2 innings, scattering 5 hits and giving up 7 runs (3 ER). Ballard struck out 11 and walked only one hitter. Logan Hittle (2021) faced one batter as well after a controversial mound visit involving number of trips taken. Gracin Wilson (2022) would relieve Ballard with 2 out in the 6^th inning to record the final out and would ultimately get the win on the mound. Sneed (2022) only worked 1.2 innings as he surrendered 8 runs on 8 hits but was relieved by RHP Camden Smith (2022) who did a nice job of keeping the Patriots’ lineup in check to allow the Falcons to tie things up after falling behind early. Although Smith was the tough luck loser in the game, his line was impressive: 4.1 IP, 3 hits, 1 run, 2 K, 2 BB.

The scoring started early for Bob Jones as they took a 3-0 in the home half of the first inning. Slate Alford (2021, Mississippi State) singled, Gavin Moran (2022) and Max Soliz (2021, Arkansas) walked to load the bases as JW Hopkins (2022) then cleared the bases with a 1 out double. The Falcons quickly responded as Grant Taylor (2021, LSU) homered in the top of the 2^nd to make it 3-1 Patriots. The Patriots had a response of their own as they scored 5 runs in the bottom of the 2^nd to push the lead to 8-1. Ryan West (2021, Coastal Alabama CC) and Ballard both started the inning off with singles before Hittle, hitting out of the leadoff spot, tripled both home to make it 5-1. Alford collected his second hit of the game to score HIttle. Soliz doubled to score Alford and he was driven in two batters later on an RBI single from Brycen Hammonds (2021) to take a commanding 8-1. The Falcons would not go quietly as they scratched and clawed their way back into it as Smith continued to stymie the Patriots bats in relief.

In the 3^rd inning, Charlie Cochran (2022) started things off with a walk and Parker White (2021, Wallace Hanceville) reached on an error as both were later driven in on a double by Caleb Mahan (2022). Jackson McCreless (2021, Calhoun) singled and Mahan scored on an RBI single by Zeke Bishop (2021, University of South Alabama). That is when things got interesting as McCreless attempted to steal home and was called out on a very close play but after minutes of deliberation it was ruled that Ballard balked, making the score 8-5 Patriots.

Florence scored two runs in the 5^th inning inching even closer to 8-7. Bishop reached on an error with 2 outs and Taylor promptly scored him the next batter as he tripled to centerfield. Taylor would score soon after on a wild pitch. The Patriots led 8-7 headed to the 7^th but Florence was able to tie things up as Taylor once again was in the middle of the rally. With 2 outs, McCreless walked and advanced to 3^rd base on an errant pick off attempt. Bishop was then intentionally walked to bring Taylor to the plate and in a full count singled to left field to tie things up.

Bob Jones walked it off in the 7^th inning as Soliz walked to lead off the inning and Hopkins singled to put runners on 1^st and 2^nd. Hammonds reached on a bunt single before Hittle was hit-by-pitch to force home the winning run.

Top Performers – Bob Jones:

Thomas Ballard – 6.2 IP, 5 hits, 7 runs (3 ER) 11 K, 1 BB

Slate Alford – 2-3, 1 RBI, 2 runs, 1 BB

JW Hopkins - 2-4, 1 2B, 3 RBI

Brycen Hammonds – 2-4, 1 RBI

Ryan West – 2-3, 1 run

Logan Hittle - 1-4, 1 3B, 2 RBI, 1 run

Max Soliz – 1-2, 1 2B, 1 RBI, 2 BB

Top Performers – Florence:

Camden Smith – 4.1 IP, 3 hits, 1 ER, 3 K, 2 BB

Grant Taylor – 3-4, 1 HR, 1 3B, 3 RBI, 2 runs

Caleb Mahan – 1-4, 1 2B, 2 RBI, 1 run

Jackson McCreless – 1-3, 2 runs, 1 BB

Zeke Bishop – 1-3, 1 RBI, 1 run

7A No. 6 Florence (11) vs. 7A No. 5 Bob Jones (7)

MADISON, AL - A quick turnaround from Game 2 of the series gave us a very meaningful Game 3 that could go a long way in determining the area winner in 7A Area 8. If both of these teams tie for the top spot (both are 3-1), the tiebreaker will be the winner of this deciding Game 3. Florence started RHP Cason Henry (2021, Miami) on the mound while the Patriots countered with RHP Cole Molina (2022). Henry went 2.1 innings and allowed 5 earned runs on 4 hits. He struck out 5 hitters and walked 3. RHP Jackson McCreless (2021, Calhoun) relieved Henry and worked the final 4.2 innings and got the win, allowing 2 earned runs with 8 strikeouts while only allowing one free pass. Molina did not record an out as the Patriots were forced to utilize their bullpen extensively in the game.

Florence jumped ahead 2-0 in the top of the 1st inning as Parker White (2021, Wallace Hanceville) led things off with a line drive up the middle and Caleb Mahan (2022) walked. McCreless laid down a perfect sacrifice bunt to advance both runners as both would later score on wild pitches, staking the Falcons to the early 2-0 lead. In the 3^rd inning, the Falcons would extend that lead to 5-0 as Mahan doubled with 1 out and scored immediately after on a double by McCreless. Zeke Bishop (2021, University of South Alabama) and Grant Taylor (2021, LSU) both singled and later scored on a 2 RBI single by Preston McAlexander (2021). Bob Jones would not go away as they countered with 5 runs of their own in the bottom of the 3^rd to knot things up at 5-5. Logan Hittle (2021) started things off with a double as he scored one batter later on a double off the bat of Slate Alford (2021, Mississippi State) to cut the lead to 5-1. Gavin Moran (2022) walked and JW Hopkins (2022) was hit-by-pitch forcing Alford to third base as he later scored on a wild pitch to cut the lead to 5-2. Brycen Hammonds (2021) then came up huge for the Patriots as he doubled to left field scoring two to cut the lead to 5-4. After fouling off multiple pitches with 2 strikes, Ryan Revera (2022) singled to right field to tie things up at 5-5 headed to the 4^th inning.

With 1 out in the 4^th inning, White singled to center field and Mahan followed him up with a double of his own. McCreless was then hit-by-pitch to load the bases for the always-dangerous Bishop and once again, he came through with a missile back up the middle to score 2 runs and make it 7-5. McAlexander scored another run on a fielder’s choice to make it 8-5 Falcons. Once again, Bob Jones immediately answered with 2 runs of their own in the home half of the 4^th inning to make it 8-7. Moran was hit by pitch with 2 outs and Max Soliz (2021, Arkansas) barely missed a home run as he doubled off the wall in left center field to score Moran and Anthony Bermea (2022) was called on to pinch hit and scored Soliz on an RBI single.

In the 5th, Florence quickly responded as Noah Toney (2022) pinch hit to lead things off and sharply singled to center field and advanced to 2B via wild pitch. Raleigh Claunch (2021) laid down a nice sacrifice bunt to get Toney to 3B and he scored a few pitches later on a wild pitch. White and McCreless both walked and Bishop once again stepped to the plate with runners on the bases, and once again he delivered. This time he doubled down the left field line on a 1-0 count, scoring both runners and supplying the final runs of the night, giving us the 11-7 final score.   

Top Performers – Florence

Jackson McCreless – 4.2 IP (W), 4 hits, 2 ER, 8 K; 2-2, 2 2B, 1 RBI, 1 BB, 1 HBP

Parker White – 2-2, 3 runs, 1 BB

Caleb Mahan – 2-4, 2 2B, 3 runs, 1 BB

Zeke Bishop – 4-4, 1 2B, 4 RBI, 1 run, 1 BB

Preston McAlexander - 2-4, 3 RBI

Grant Taylor – 1-4, 1 run

Noah Toney – 1-1, 1 run

Top Performers – Bob Jones

Logan Hittle – 2-4, 1 2B, 1 run, 1 BB

Slate Alford – 1-3, 1 2B, 1 RBI, 1 run

Max Soliz – 1-3, 1 2B, 1 RBI, 1 run

Anthony Bermea – 1-1, 1 RBI, 1 BB

Brycen Hammonds – 1-4, 2 RBI, 1 run

Ryan Revera – 1-4, 1 RBI

6A Chilton County (1) vs. 6A Calera (0)

CALERA, AL - Yesterday’s matchup in Class 6A took place in Calera as they hosted Chilton County Tigers in Game 3 of the series for a ticket to the playoffs. Chilton County Tigers and Calera Eagles split one game a piece before yesterday’s matchup. Chilton County handed the ball to LHP Pico Kohn (2021, Mississippi State), and Calera turned to LHP Matthew Bullard (2022) in a lefty vs. lefty battle. 

The Tigers collected their first hit of the game from 3B Deuntae Childers (2021) as he jumped all over the fastball for a double. The Tigers were unable to push across a run early in the first. Tigers bats began to quiet down and the game quickly became a pitchers duel. 

LHP Pico Kohn (2021, Mississippi State) came with fire out of the gate as he struck out the first 10 out of 11 batters. The Mississippi State signee was lights out for the Tigers. Kohn threw a CG for the Tigers allowing two hits while striking out 14. 

Offensively for the Eagles, LHP/OF Matthew Bullard (2022) brought life to plate after a hard line drive single to CF to give the Eagles their first base runner of the game. OF Nick Bunn (2022) provided another hit for the Eagles with one out in 6th, but was left stranded. As both teams got late in the game, the Tigers were able to produce a couple of baserunners in bottom of the 7th to give them life. With two runners on and one out for Chilton County in the 7th, OF Katon Elijah (2022) came up big for the Tigers with a single to CF to help the tigers punch a ticket to the 6A State Playoffs. Chilton County Tigers won in walk-off fashion by a score of 1-0. Tigers improved 16-11 and 4-3 in 6A Area 6 play. 

Top Performers - Chilton County 

Pico Kohn - CGW, 7 IP, 2 H’s, 14 K’s, 0 ER.

Brady Bolling - 1-3, 3B

Deuntae Childers - 1-3, 2B

Katon Elijah - 1-3, RBI

Top Performers - Calera 

Matthew Bullard - 6 2/3, 4 H’s, 6 K’s; 1-3, single

Nick Bunn - 1-3, single. 

6A No. 1 Faith Academy (2) vs. 6A McGill-Toolen (1)

Top Performers - Faith Academy

Peyton Bell - W, 7 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 2 BB & 12 K's; 1-3, 2B, RBI

Jay Seymour - 1-3, RBI (walk-off)

Cole Berry - 2-3, 2B

Gabe Broadus - 1-3, R, SB

Top Performers - McGill-Toolen

Larkin Toth - 6 IP, 5 H, 2 R, BB & 5 K's

Tyler Williams - 1-3, 2B, RBI

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