Oxford, AL – This time, the top-ranked Oxford receives the best of Hartselle and sweeps quarterfinals to take one series win away from the state finals at home
Oxford lost a quarterfinal match against Hartselle in 2021 and a loss in the season opener to Hartselle led for the Yellow Jackets to wait weeks into the season, before they beat the Tigers to finish the No. 1. Alabama Sports Writers Association poll.
Take the score that has been settled.
Home runs by Forrest Heacock, Drew McCormick and Sam Robertson powed the Yellow Jackets to a 4-1 win against Hartselle in Game 1 on Thursday of their third-round class 6A playoff series. an unbeaten four-run run during the 6th inning clinched winning 5-3 at the end of Game 2.
Oxford (35-6) is scheduled to head on the road to face the winner of the Cullman-Gardendale match at the quarterfinals. Cullman and Gardendale played on Thursday, before playing Game 3 on Friday at 6 p.m.
The Yellow Jackets stand one series victory away from playing in the finals in the state finals on their own. The first game of the Class 6A finals will be played on the Choccolocco Park’s signature pitch on the 16th of May at 4:00 p.m. The games 2 and 3 are scheduled for the Jacksonville State’s Jim Case Stadium on May 17 with a 10 a.m.
“So very proud of every single one of our players for their performance today,” Oxford coach Wes Brooks stated. “Hitting, pitching, and defensive … The way I believe we were able to win all aspects in the match.”
A crucial action in the 6th inning helped Oxford avoid win over Hartselle.
After Hartselle added a run to take a 3-1 lead in the beginning in the 6th, Oxford scored four runs to lead 5-3. The Carter Johnson single plus an error permitted Peyton Watts to score after Watts hit an RBI double. Sam Robertson’s bunt hit single pushed Johnson to second base.
Forrest Heacock’s hit single scored Johnson Then Robertson scored after the outfielder’s error. Heacock moved to third.
The pinch runner Caleb Robertson scored on a wild pitch to score the fourth run of.
Johnson ended up striking out three of the four batters that he confronted in the seventh inning to complete the inning by striking out Peyton Steele with a runner on to finish the.
Hayden Gallahar pitched the first six innings, distributing seven hits while walking with six strikeouts. Three of Hartselle’s run scored.
Hayes Harrison, who battled hip injuries during his stint as a pitcher in the Yellow Jackets’ second-round sweep of Mountain Brook, pitched a complete game in Game 1. He gave up five hits and a walk while racking up four strikeouts.
Harrison also played against Hartselle in both of the games on the other day. The current All-Calhoun class 4A-6A All Calhoun County player of the year did not play in the game against Mountain Brook.
“Hayes’ hip did good,” Brooks said.
The Oxford-Hartselle Series featured teams that were ranked as Nos. 1 or 2 throughout the season. Oxford was ranked No. No. 1 on the last ASWA poll, published on April 19 and Hartselle was ranked No. 2.
“Hats on coach (William) Booth as well as Hartselle’s entire nation,” Brooks said. “Great host and wonderful hospitality. The atmosphere was top-notch.
“So many players showed up and did their part tonight. And, the supporters are concerned, we performed very well, as we always do. It was great to see a lot of Oxford faces cheering on our team. They were amazing.” They were the best.” Read more stories about sports…]
