Alabama Daily Roundup: Saturday, February 28th

Saturday’s matchup featured two of the top underclass arms in the state going head-to-head, and it lived up to the billing. With Tristan Blalock, the No. 1-ranked prospect in Alabama’s 2029 class, toeing the rubber for James Clemens, and Hudson Mitchell, the No. 6-ranked prospect in the 2028 class, getting the ball for Hewitt-Trussville, runs were at a premium in a tightly-contested 2-0 Huskies victory. Hewitt-Trussville broke through in the fourth inning when Kaleb Kynard lined an RBI single to give the Huskies a 1-0 lead. They would tack on another run later, and that proved to be enough. Mitchell was electric, spinning 6.2 scoreless innings while allowing just three hits, striking out nine, and walking none to earn the win. Blalock was sharp as well over four innings, surrendering just one run on three hits with six punchouts in a tough-luck outing. Offensively, Kynard and Taylor Alfano each drove in a run for the Huskies, while Cale McIntosh collected two hits in three at-bats. Hewitt-Trussville applied pressure throughout, swiping five bases, two from Kynard, and played flawless defense behind Mitchell. For James Clemens, Jan Ramirez led the way at the plate with two hits from the seven-hole, but the Jets couldn’t break through against one of the state’s premier arms.

 

The bottom of the order delivered in a big way on Saturday as St. Paul’s Episcopal outlasted Russellville, 10-8, in extra innings at Orange Beach Sportsplex. Sims Brown, Harris McLeod, and Bo Ladner combined for six of the Saints’ 12 hits, scoring two runs and driving in four to spark the offense. St. Paul’s struck first in the second inning when Brown ripped a triple down the right-field line before Ladner followed with an RBI single to center, giving the Saints an early advantage. Russellville battled back and eventually tied the game in the bottom of the seventh, capitalizing on a pair of walks and a sacrifice fly to even things up at 8-8. In the top of the eighth, St. Paul’s regained control. Caleb Roland delivered a go-ahead RBI single, and Brown added insurance with a well-placed sacrifice bunt to push the lead to 10-8. On the mound, Ross Delaney earned the win in relief, working one inning and allowing just one run without surrendering a hit. John Stowers secured the save, while Tate Farrell gave the Saints a steady start, allowing one run over three innings. Johnce Knight was tagged with the loss for Russellville. Offensively, Brown, Evan Hawarah, Max Boulo, McLeod, and Ladner each collected two hits for the Saints, with Brown, Hawarah, and Ladner driving in two runs apiece. St. Paul’s showed patience and pressure throughout, drawing 10 walks and swiping 11 bases. Hawarah and Stowers each stole multiple bags as the Saints consistently challenged Russellville’s defense. For the Golden Tigers, Tripp Cleveland and Malaki Groce each drove in two runs, while Groce and Tristan Ray recorded multi-hit efforts in a back-and-forth contest that ultimately swung late.

 

It was a tightly-contested pitcher’s duel on Saturday, but Auburn edged Mary G. Montgomery, 2-1, behind a strong effort on the mound and timely execution late. Chase Cochran set the tone for the Tigers, going 6.2 innings while allowing just one run (unearned) on five hits. Cochran struck out six and did not issue a walk in a composed, efficient outing. Britt Farr ultimately picked up the win in relief. Auburn broke through first in the fifth inning, capitalizing on an error to plate the game’s first run. Mary G. Montgomery responded in the top of the seventh when Jackson Tillman delivered an RBI single to center field to knot the game at 1-1. The Tigers answered quickly and regained the lead for good, with Christian Gray taking the tough-luck loss despite allowing just one run (unearned) over two innings in relief. Kade Sewell also turned in a solid start for Mary G. Montgomery, surrendering one unearned run over 4.2 innings. Offensively, Brady Sack led Auburn with two hits in three at-bats, while Sack and Carter Chambley each swiped multiple bases. The Tigers applied constant pressure on the basepaths, stealing six bases in the contest and turning a key double play defensively. Tillman drove in the lone run for Mary G. Montgomery, and Jeremy Menhennet, Gandy, Gray, Jackson Bearden, and Tillman each recorded a hit in the narrow defeat.

 

Duckett delivered a dominant performance on the mound Saturday, striking out 11 to lead Madison County to a 5-1 win over Central. The left-hander worked six strong innings, allowing just three hits and one run while walking four. He set the tone early and controlled the game throughout, keeping Central’s lineup off balance. Madison County opened the scoring in the second inning, pushing across a run on a fielder’s choice. Central answered in the third when Reed Bruce doubled to center field to tie the game at 1-1. The Tigers quickly regained momentum in the bottom half of the inning. Duckett helped his own cause with a two-run home run to right field, giving Madison County a 3-1 advantage. Jackson Helton added insurance in the sixth with a solo shot to center, extending the lead to 5-1. Connor Drake closed the door in relief with a scoreless inning to secure the win. At the plate, Duckett, Helton, and Bryce Sanders each recorded two hits, with Duckett driving in two runs. Madison County totaled eight hits and played a clean game defensively, not committing an error. Bruce drove in the lone run for Central, while Collier Miles, Elijah Lambert, and Brock Price each collected a hit in the loss.

 

It came down to the final swings Saturday at Pelham High School, as Pelham walked it off in dramatic fashion to edge McAdory, 8-7. Trailing 7-6 in the bottom of the seventh, Pelham completed the comeback when Hollis Davis singled to spark the rally and Mason Six followed with a two-run single to seal the win. The Panthers’ victory was hard-earned, especially after falling behind 4-0 in the first inning. McAdory jumped out quickly with an RBI single from Matthew Rouse, a two-run triple by DJ Parker, and an RBI groundout from Grayson Glover. The Yellowjackets added another run in the third on a solo home run from Aaron Bailey to extend their early advantage. Pelham chipped away and eventually tied the game at 5-5 in the sixth when Andrew Petrock delivered an RBI single to center. McAdory briefly reclaimed the lead in the seventh on a sacrifice fly from Bailey and an RBI double by Rouse, making it 7-5. But the Panthers had one more push left. Pelham finished with 11 hits on the afternoon, led by Braden Lee’s three-hit performance. JP Anderson, Six, and Davis each drove in two runs, while Garin Fitts added pressure on the basepaths with two stolen bases. Six also earned the win in relief, tossing two innings while allowing two runs and striking out four. Anderson kept Pelham within striking distance with five innings of work in the start. For McAdory, Rouse collected three hits, while Bailey and Parker each drove in two runs. Pearsall added two hits in the loss. A back-and-forth battle throughout, this one ultimately belonged to Pelham in walk-off fashion.