Alexandria, AL – Recently ranked as the top team in the country, Alexandria exhibits explosive pitching, intense hitting, and flash on the field as they sweep Jasper 13-5, 3-0 in a the first round of the series
By Joe Medley
How would Alexandria be able to carry a state-wide No. 1 ranking during the playoffs?
So far, so good.
Andrew Allen pitched a four-hit shutout in Game 1 and bats were awake in Game 2 when they Valley Cubs beat visiting Jasper 3-1 and 13-5 on Friday to advance to the second round in the Class 5A playoffs.
Alexandria (28-5) increased their winning streak by 11 games going back to a split in spring break against Baker as well. The team will begin its second-round match against fourth-ranked Arab coach, the former Saks coach and White Plains head coach Chad Hudson.
“I said to the players, we have the whole day to take advantage of this,” first-year Alexandria coach Zac Welch told the team. “The number of baseball players from Alabama who don’t make it to an official playoff game is shocking.
“The reality that our men were able to enjoy it be there, I’m going to give them the opportunity to have a good time enjoying it before we begin talking about any other.”
It’s been an exciting time for Alexandria.
The release of Thursday’s final Alabama Sports Writers Association poll of the season, showed The Valley Cubs at No. 1 in 5A. They’ve climbed one place. Long-time fans of Alexandria’s team couldn’t pinpoint the exact date however it is believed to be the first Alexandria No. #1 baseball position over the span of 17 years.
“I believe they haven’t really been aware of it,” Welch said. “If they did not, they’ven’t spoken much about it. I’ve been happy to learn that. I’m thinking that the parents had a bigger say regarding it than they did.
“They know that we cannot afford to ignore anyone right now.”
A slugger Aiden Brunner said the feeling “is not like when we were ranked No. 2.”
“We’re trying to maintain the same mindset Play your game, and don’t allow anything to alter the way we play,” he said. “Teams will play the same way against us when we’re No. 1 or. 2.”
Allen thinks of the No. 1 spot as something that Allen believes the Valley Cubs have worked for.
“I believe that nobody is shocked by this, absolutely,” he said.
Alexandria demonstrated the strength of the three elements on Friday.
The college coaches were holding monitors at the backstop Allen took out eight batters and took one off the table while making sure to keep Jasper off the scoreboard in Game 1.
“He was very impressive,” Welch said. “Honestly I wasn’t sure that he was the most sharp player however, he had some juice in his fastball and played very well. He did get himself into some issues here and there, but kept the damage to a minimum.”
The second game saw Alexandria be down 4-1, but gain the lead in the opening of two innings of five runs. Samuel Henegar’s single of two runs and Brunner’s three-run homer were the highlights of the Valley Cubs’ five-run third.
Brunner described his home run as an accident that was happy and a the result of recent improvements in two-strike scenarios.
“I’m at it swinging my arms trying to put the ball on the table, and I scored two strikes. It was a major moment and I’m sure I’m better in major instances,” he said. “I tried to stay in the distance from the ball. I wasn’t aiming to hit an explosive ball.”
His home run in response to Henegar’s hit gave him 4-4, and Alexandria was the leader for the rest of the all the way.
The Valley Cubs also posted a five-run fifth innings.
“We finally had some swagger to play with,” Welch said. “I’m satisfied we were able to show our players how they played..
“Those were two completely different types of games and I think we did a great job.”
The most exciting plays took place on the field.
The left fielder Aaron Johnson flagged down a deep liner that was thrown over the shoulder, Willie Mays style, with Jasper winning Game 2 2-0 and runners at first and second bases. In the seventh, Johnson caught a fall near the fence.
Right fielder Ian Cartwright shot a throw back to the ball and smacked Lukas Clark in the plate.
They were reminiscent of the types of games that No. 1 teams play.
Cartwright has also been a relief pitcher “and his arm was really brought into play in that game,” Welch said. “Aaron was able to catch two balls he threw on the left side of the field, were important spots during the game. They were attempting to create momentum and it was nice to stop the momentum of their opponents.”
