Friday, March 1

Hoover outlasts JSerra (CA) in 10 innings. 

The Hoover Bucs entertained one of California's top programs on Friday night at the Hoover Met. JSerra Catholic made the trek across the country to play some top programs in the south after the Bucs traveled to California in 2018 to take on some of California's top teams.In game 1, the Bucs sent 2020 Colson Lawrence to the mound and he did not disappoint. The junior right hander went 5 2/3 innings allowing 4 hits and 1 run, which was earned. He only issued 1 walk and hit 1 batter and struck out 5 Lions. Senior Josh McDowell relieved Lawrence and kept the Lions off the board for another 1 2/3 innings scattering 3 hits and striking out 1. Junior Lawrence Hammonds relieved McDowell and was able to get out of a big jam in the 8th inning. He finished with 3 K's in 2 innings pitched. Junior Avery Anderson was called on in the 10th inning to put out a JSerra rally after they had already taken the lead 2-1. Anderson did just that and retired the only two batters he would face. He would eventually pick up the win as the Bucs would rally in their half of the 10th. Trailing 2-1, catcher Davis Young led off with a single and leadoff hitter Cooper Prince sacrifice bunted him to 2nd as the Lions tried to make a play at 2B but the throw was a bit late. After a strikeout, junior Robby Ashford grounded out to 2B moving the runners up to 2B and 3B with 2 outs. Senior Daniel Swatek then reached out an error which allowed both runners to score and and give Bucs the win in dramatic fashion. Quoting Hoover head coach Adam Moseley after the big win, "Like in many games the freebie war often determines the outcome of a game. Both teams made some errors in the game but proud of our guys for continuing to compete. We were very fortunate to come out with a win. JSerra obviously has a 1st class quality program and they play the game the right way. This is a big win for us."

Senior SS Michael Curialle had 2 hits for JSerra as did senior Blake Klassen. Both of Klassen's hits were doubles producing an RBI. The Bucs got 2 hits each from senior Peyton Wilson and senior Jack Henry Milligan. Junior catcher Davis Young had a sacrifice fly driving in a run.

The Bucs also won game 7-2 behind a complete game effort out of senior Cole Baker. He went 7 innings, allowed 2 runs on 5 hits and struck out 9. 

The Bucs will play a single game versus Lassiter, GA on Saturday while the Lions will conclude their southern trip playing Vestavia Hills in a doubleheader.