Calhoun County, AL Calhoun County, AL Oxford Donoho, Oxford make it to the quarterfinals, look to familiar foes Alexandria, Piedmont split Friday and will play Game 3s at home on Saturday
Updated:
SECOND ROUND SECOND ROUND
Best-of-3
Friday
2A 2A
Donoho (23-3) 6-4, Fayetteville (21-14) 5-2; Donoho sweeps series
Class 3A
Piedmont (24-8) 7-4, Decatur Heritage (18-13) 2-5; Game 3, Saturday, noon
Class 5A
Alexandria (30-6) 0-1,Arab (31-7) 1-0; Game 3, Saturday, 1 p.m.
Class 6A
Oxford (33-6) 10-9. Mountain Brook (22-12) Oxford 0-4; Oxford sweeps series
By Joe Medley
OxfordA hip injury prevented Hayes Harrison from batting in Oxford’s Class 6A playoff second round game against Mountain Brook the previous Friday however Harrison pitched.
Drew McCormick is known for his large arm when he was on the mound, but he also was also a huge bat swinger.
Harrison’s four-hit shutout as well as McCormick’s home runs helped Oxford towards a 10-0 win in Game 1. Then, in Game 2, the Yellow Jackets finished the sweep 9-4 in Game 2 at Choccolocco Park.
The win earned the Oxford the highest ranking Oxford (33-6) the right to play in the quarterfinals Best-of-3 series in No. 2. Hartselle (28-7) that defeated Minor 10-0 and 10-0 on Friday.
“It’s something like a book or a fairytale,” Harrison said. “We played them in my second year of playing in the playoffs but the outcome wasn’t what we wanted. In the first game of this season, we lost the game, however we’re planning to work hard this week and do all possible to bring the win back home next week.”
The Oxford team won the second game in these playoffs. Oxford’s Yellow Jackets beat Center Point in two mercy-rule games of five innings earlier in the week, and on the game on Friday 1 was completed in five.
Oxford has played 22 innings in postseason play and gave eleven hits and four runs.
Hayden Gallahar was one of four pitchers who pitched in the game on Friday, but pitched five innings of relief giving five hits and no runs, with five strikeouts and a walk to take the victory.
Harrison Harrison, the reigning All-Calhoun in Class 4A-6A, and the Calhoun County Player of the Year He struck out nine batters over five innings.
He fought to heal a hip injury began to show symptoms the day before the first round of Oxford’s playoff match against Center Point. He reported feeling an “tweak” as he was getting ready for the first game of the series.
He pitched for two innings in his start, and then spent the rest of the week rehabilitating.
“We’re not certain yet what’s wrong,” he said. “We aren’t able to make any diagnosis at this time. Today, we had an X-ray and it was in good shape.”
Harrison stated that his performance on Friday was about delivering all that the injury has left him. Brooks utilized an designated hitter to fill Harrison’s number. 4 position in the batsman’s order.
“We’ve been a tummy full of affection for him throughout the week and he was not feeling well the other day,” Oxford coach Wes Brooks stated. “I did not set my decision until about 4:05 this morning that he was going start Game 1. (four) hit and nine strikes. That’s awesome.
“He’s an ardent warrior. Every player should say to the coach, ‘Coach, don’t care about if I’m fifty percent. I’m ready to play. He stands up and says”I’m not one hundred per cent, however I’m decent enough to let my team to win.”
McCormick who signed with Jacksonville State University as a pitcher and catcher, scored one of his two first homers this season … A three-run blast over the 390-foot line in center field. He also hit a two-run homer over the fence in left field.
“It was a very special night for me as I hit two home runs that were back-to-back,” he said.
McCormick is the first baseman for Oxford at the time that Harrison pitches, which means the bat is used once each five game. If he is hitting well, he could play the following game as designated batter.
“He was hitting the ball like that during the batting room all year,” Brooks said. “He isn’t in the routine of being at the helm all day.”
Sam Robertson and Forrest Heacock both hit two times in Game 1. Peyton Watts went 3-for-3 with three runs, a triple in Game 2 and three RBI during Game 2. Carter Johnson delivered a double and had three RBIs in Game 2 and Heacock scored a double and two RBIs.
Johnson also scored an impromptu single to hit an end-of-game hit during Game 1.
Times for Oxford’s tournament at Hartselle will be announced later.
“It’s their choice, so I’m guessing they’ll play Thursday-Friday,” Brooks said. “The 6A state finals are scheduled for the 16th of May (May) 16th therefore you should start moving up. Don’t go on a Friday-Saturday weekend, then Friday-Saturday weekend and then change your plans, as neither of our top ones (pitchers) is able to throw.”
Class 5A
Alexandria 1-1, ARAB 1-1:Top-ranked Alexandria (29-6) and No. 4 Arab made two runs on Friday’s game 1 in Game 1 and. Game 3 will be played on Saturday starting at 1 p.m.
Alex’s Andrew Allen pitched a complete game in Game 1 giving up three hits, with five strikes as well as two walk.
Tripp Patterson threw a shutout of four hits during game two, with 9 strikeouts, and two walks.
Samuel Henegar had the Valley Cubs the only RBI for the day by smacking at home Aaron Johnson in the third 3rd inning of Game 2. Johnson reached base by hitting a single.
Class 5A
Alexandria 1-1 ARAB 1-1:Top-ranked Alexandria (29-6) and No. 4 Arab scored two runs on Friday’s game 1 in Game 1 and. Game 3 will be played on next Saturday and starts beginning at 1 p.m.
The Alexandria’s Andrew Allen pitched a complete game in Game 1 giving up three hits, with five strikes with two walks.
Tripp Patterson threw a shutout of four hits during the second game, getting nine strikeouts as well as two walks.
Samuel Henegar had the Valley Cubs the only RBI of the game by smacking at home Aaron Johnson in the third game 2 inning. Johnson hit a single to get to base.
Class 3A
PIEDMONT 7-4 DECATUR HERITAGE 2-5:Decatur Heritage staved off defeat with Bryant Sparkman’s leadoff solo homer in the top 10th inning of Game 2.
Piedmont came back to score game-winning scores in both the eighth and seventh innings. Kale Austin’s RBI double brought it to three-3 during the seventh. Trevor Pike lead off the eighth with a double, and later scored via an unforced pitch.
McClane Mohon hit McClane Mohon hit an RBI hit in the 5th inning and scored via a wild pitch bring Piedmont to within 3-3.
In Game 1 Mohon as well as Max Hanson each had two-run singles. Hanson scored a third run by executing a an RBI sacrifice fly.
Brodie Homesley pitched the entire game, sprinkling out six hits and racking up six strikeouts.
Class 2A
DONOHO 4-4, FAYETTEVILLE 5-2:Peyton Webb scored an inning-high 14 and 15 homers, and his the 20th and 21st of his career, breaking his school record. He also set a school record by registering an RBI of 51. RBI of the season.
Lucas Elliott became the first Falcon to have three consecutive seasons of 40-hits. He has reached the base for 54 consecutive games, including every game in 2022 and 2023 seasons.
The day was filled with drama.
The Falcons prevailed in the ninth inning in Game 1. Marcus Lawler reached on an error, and then two more mistakes in the same play pushed him to third without a hit. Nic Thompson walked out, and Fayetteville deliberately took walks to Elliott along with Webb to make the bases. Blake Sewell drew a bases-loaded walk after four pitches, which ended the.
The umpires in Game 2 decided Fayetteville base runners did not track Webb’s catch which set the scene to play a three-pitch triple the sixth innings.
Fayetteville’s game-winning, three-run homer in the seventh inning flew off the fence’s top The batter jumped over the runner who was tagging at first base, and was declared out. Nic Thompson hit the two batters following to stop the game.
Donoho (23-3) Donoho (23-3) will head on the road in order to take on Lindsay Lane in the quarterfinals. This series will be an rematch of the 1A semifinals, in which Lindsay Lane won. Donoho defeated Lindsay Lane en route to the 2021 1A title series.
Friday’s second-round play is now complete for the area teams Alexandria, Donoho, Oxford and Piedmont The four teams remain alive. Click the below to see who won and who is now in Game 3
Class 6A
MOUNTAIN BROOK AT OXFORD
Game 1
Oxford puts the ball into play, and gets assistance from MB mistakes, leading 1-1 to 1.
Oxford is coming on the field B3, however, ahead 1-0.
The 2-run double of Forest Heacock has put Oxford ahead three runs in the B4. Oxford still bats.
Andrew McCormick hammers a 2 run home run to increase Oxford’s lead by 5-0 in B4. Oxford still bats.
Nick Richardson RBI single put Oxford up 6-0 after 4.
McCormick scores his 2nd homer in game with a 3-run blast to LF and Oxford is leading 9-0, with no outs in the B5.
-Carter Johnson bloop RBI single ends it. OXFORD Wins 10-0.
Game 2
Jackson Crow’s bump to Oxford.
–T1: Peyton Watts RBI triple put Oxford in front 1-1. Oxford still batting, but no outs.
T1 Carter Johnson sac fly makes Oxford ahead two goals. Oxford remains at the batting position, with one out.
Forrest Heacock RBI double helps put Oxford ahead 3-0 through T1.
B1: Mountain Brook gets two runs and is loaded with bases with just one out. Oxford head coach Wes Brooks calls R.J. Brooks to the pen. Oxford is leading 3-2.
Brooks knocks out two batters to end the flames. Oxford is leading 3-2 after 1.
T2: Nick Richardson bunt single generates a run. Oxford is leading 4-2. Still batting, but with no outs, and runners on corners.
Two-run double by Carter Johnson put Oxford ahead 6-2 and MB changing his pitching with no outs, and runners on the third and second.
Trace Adams’ sac grounder gives an errand, and Oxford wins 7-2. Third and second runners and one on.
A Forest Heacock sac fly earns another chance to score. Oxford leads 8-2 through T2.
B2: Oxford brings Hayden Gallahar out of the pen. Still 8-2, Jackets.
-MB scores two. Oxford leads 8-4 through 2.
The Oxford team leads 8-4 after 4 innings. Gallahar has kept them scoreless with just 4 Ks over three innings.
5th inning Oxford has a lead of 8-4. Gallahar has now scored 5Ks in four innings.
The Oxford team adds a score on an incomplete ball, which leads to 9-4 going into B7.
OXFORD WINS 9-4 to sweep. They will play the Hartselle Minor winner on the roadway in round three.
Class 5A
ALEXANDRIA AT ARAB
Game 1
In B2, 0-1 is the result.
– Still no score in T3 Andrew Allen works out of a base-loaded jam, with two outs.
-Thru 3, still scoreless.
B4 … Arab gets on the board, and leads 1-0 until 4.
Final: ARAB WINS 1-0 on one run that was unearned.
-Alexandria outhit Arab 4-3. Allen pitched a great game with five strikeouts as well as two walks. Aiden Brunner 2-for-3.
Game 2
Tripp Patterson bump to Alexandria.
-Thru 1, scoreless. Alexandria is left with bases full in B1.
-Thru 2, still scoreless.
B3 Alexandria gets a hit off a Samuel Henegar liner, and an error. The team leads 1-0.
Alexandria leads by 1-0 from 4.
-Still 1-0 through 5.
Patterson loses 3 Arab runners. Alexandria is still leading 1-0 through 6.
The team of Alexandra wins 1-0. The game is 3 on Saturday, at 1 p.m.
Class 3A
PIEDMONT AT DECATUR HERITAGE
Game 1
-B5, Piedmont leads 1-0. Brodie Homesley pitching.
Cole Wilson doubles, scores after a rash throwback from the catcher. Piedmont is leading 2-0 and playing in the sixth.
A McLane-Mohon double put Piedmont at 4-0 and playing in the sixth.
Max Hanson’s Sac the fly … 5-5-0, Piedmont, thru T6.
-DH scores two points at the top of the table. Piedmont is leading 5-2 through 6.
T7, Max Hanson hits 2-run single. Piedmont leads 7-2 but is at bat.
Final: PIEDMONT WINS 7-2.
Game 2:
Seventh-grader Cole Austin on the bump for Piedmont.
Scoreless until 2.
T3 DH receives three 2-out hits due to error, hit batsman, intentional walk balk and mistake, which leads 3-1.
Still 3-0, DH through 4.
In B5, Piedmont scores twice. Mohon RBI single and Mohon scores via the pitch that was thrown wild. Bulldogs lead 3-2 through 5.
-Thru 6, still 3-2, DH. Sloan Smith to the bump to relieve.
Smith sat them on the bench in order. Piedmont going to bat in B7, 3-2 down.
The inning begins with a B7 Hanson walks with one out; Jack Hayes infield single; Kale Austin RBI double tie it 3-3; intentional walk doubles bases; game goes towards extra innings.
-T8: Double error leadoff followed by a sac fly and DH takes the lead back 4-3.
B8 Trevor Pike leadoff double Two-out wild pitch makes the score 4-4 and heads to the ninth inning.
Smith is sitting DH down in a row in T9. Still 4-4.
Aaaaannnddd to the 10th inning still 4-4.
Decatur Heritage scores a leadoff home run the 10th inning, and prevails 5-4. Game 3 is scheduled for Saturday at 12 noon.
Class 2A
FAYETTEVILLE AT DONOHO
Game 1
The Fayetteville team scores two points in the first half and leads 2-0.
Fayetteville scores a run in T2, leading by 3-0. Error bug is affecting Donoho.
“B2” Hayes Farrell homer gets Donoho off the mat. Falcons lead 3-1. (Farrell’s first homer of his career.)
Donoho’s comeback … Elliott RBI single and Webb 3-run homer. Falcons lead 5-3 through 3.
Two points from Fayetteville tie it 5-5 in the fifth game of the series. Donoho gets out of a bases-loaded jam by the double play.
5-5 through 6. Fayetteville’s 3, 2 and 4 hitters to come up. 1,2 as well as 3 against Donoho B7.
Donoho for a bat at B8, 5-5.
–B9 Marcus Lawler reaches on an error. Two additional errors on the same play put him on third place with no outs. Nic Thompson pitches out. Fayetteville deliberately walks Elliott along with Webb to make sure the bases are loaded. Blake Sewell draws bases-loaded walk on four pitches, putting an end to the game. DONOHO is victorious 6-5.
Game 2
Peyton Webb on the move for Donoho.
Lawler scored on an unintentional pitch. Donoho leads 1-0 through 1. Falcons bat in the 2nd inning.
-Still 1-0, Donoho in B4.
Donoho up 4-2 through 5.
–B6 Nic Thompson gets a flyball in the first out. runners are able to leave the base before ending the inning with a triple play. Donoho is still leading 4-2.
-B7: A potential game-winning three-run home run flies off the fence, right beneath the upper.
DONOHO wins 4-2 to sweep the game which resulted in two Fayetteville coaches suspended. Falcons will take on Lindsay Lane and North Sand Mountain winners on the road in the third round of a series.
Webb hit fourteenth and fifteenth homers in the entire season. 20th and 21st in his career. Also, he set a school record with the 51st RBI of the season.
Lucias Elliott becomes the first Falcon to have three consecutive seasons of 40-hits. He has reached base safely for 54 games in a row which includes every game played in 2022 and 2023 seasons. The team has reached base safely in 54 consecutive games. Read more stories about sports] …]
