Alexandria, AL – No. 4 Arab emerges following three one-run matches against the the top-ranked Alexandria to make it to the quarterfinals. Valley Cubs finish 30-win season
By Joe Medley
The top-ranked Alexandria as well as No. 4 Arab participated in the championship-level Class 5A playoff series in the second round over the weekend.
After three games of one-run the Arab’s race for the championship continues.
Dakota Nesmith’s three-run single in the the sixth innings set the Knights ahead. He left the game after Alexandria had two runners in the seventh to ensure the game’s 6-5 win. 3.
Arab (32-7) progressed to in a quarterfinal match next week on the road against Boaz Madison Academy winner.
Alexandria The team, which earned its highest rank within the Alabama Sports Writers Association poll since 2006, averaging with a score of 30-7.
“You aren’t getting all of them which is why it’s so important to stand before my eyes,” said first-year Alexandria head coach, with tears streaming through his eyes. “As as a player your high school years disappear from your life. As an instructor, these years slip away from you too.
“It’s nice that we were able to have the same success we did however, I wish I could have achieved more of it.”
The thrilling third game took place after the team played two games and also two runs on Friday. Arab took the lead in the opener with a by 1-0, while Alexandria took the second game with a score of 1-0.
“We knew from the moment we looked at the bracket that should we both win the game, it would be regrettable that we had were so early in the game,” said Arab coach Chad Hudson, whose first two head coaching stints came from Saks as well as White Plains. “I would have preferred it to be just a couple of rounds down the road, since we were aware of how excellent Alexandria was. We felt that we did pretty well as well.
“It was an amazing show.”
Alexandria never lost in Game 3, even up to the 6th innings.
Ian Cartwright’s RBI single Samuel Henegar’s sac fly and Aiden’s RBI hit gave the Valley Cubs a 3-0 lead in the middle one.
John David Hall’s home run tied the score 3-3 in the fourth however, the most unlikely of plays brought Alexandria ahead.
Brunner was thrown out by one runner left for the third strike in the fifth inning, however Arab catcher Wesley Slaton dropped the third strike and threw the the first baseman Blake Moon.
The ball was tossed towards the right-field corner bad territory in foul territory as Brunner and Cartwright who landed on the ball with a single, continued to run.
“I believed I was going to be second (base) Then I noticed Trey (Alexandria Phillips) assistant coach Phillips) saying, “Keep running,” Brunner said.
Cartwright as well as Brunner scored to bring their Valley Cubs up 5-3.
“That isn’t something I’ve experienced since I was a kid,” Bunner said.
Welch who was a player for Alexandria as well as at the University of Alabama and coached under long-time Alexandria head coach Andy Shaw before his promotion to head coach, was the first player to be promoted.
“I’ve never witnessed anything like this before in my life,”” the man said. “Sometimes baseball will show you something you’ve never had before. That was the only thing I saw that I’ve seen in the past..
“Every day, I learn something is different, which is why I am a fan of this game.”
Arab was able to get two runners without a hit in the final fifth inning which prompted Welch to summon Zach Baskins from the pen to replace starter Brayden Thacker. Evan Snow’s dive stop as well as tag to start the first pitch prevented runners from reaching the first and second positions and Ty Brown caught a pop in the center of the field for his second out.
Hall was able to draw one to bring the bases up, but Baskins got another pop to keep runners off the field.
Alexandria was not so lucky when she was stranded in sixth. Arab had loaded the bases thanks to the batsman’s hit, a walk and a slow chopper. Snow, who made two throws to the home plate to keep the runs off the scoreboard on Saturday, tried to charge but the ball slipped in his glove.
This set the stage for Nesmith and he drove it into left-center for the three-run triple.
“When you’re deep into the game, even a tiny mistake you make can be amplified into something far more significant,” Welch said. “We were playing with fire a lot.”
Alexandria had runners on the first and the second during seventh however, Nesmith hit Brunner for the second time. Brown hit into the fielder’s choice, which ended the.
“So much goes to Alexandria,” Hudson said. “That’s the worst we’ve ever struggled on the field this season. Yesterday, naturally they only threw two incredible pitchers, (Andrew) Allen and (Tripp) Patterson.
“A lots of anger on our part, as well that they are too, having two games that are 1-0 and today, just lots of anger early in the game. Then we finally make it through.” It’s a good thing we finally broke through.” Read more stories about sports…]
