Tigers roll over Madison Academy
Published 2:51 pm Monday, March 28, 2016
Caleb Suggs
Hartselle Enquirer
Hartselle was in an interesting spot coming into their doubleheader games with Madison Academy on Mon. March 21st. The Tigers were coming off a huge area series win over Decatur and were a day away from playing top 5a team Russellville. Therefore, if Hartselle wasn’t careful the small 3a team could turn into a big trap game.
Jake Rice would get the start on the mound for the Tigers in the first game.
Madison Academy would take the lead in the first inning 1-0.
Hartselle would get the lead back when Hayden Bradford drove Riley Wood in and then scored himself due to an error.
Hartselle would tack on to the lead in the second inning, first by a bases loaded walk. Collin Blackwood would then sacrifice to drive in Connor Burks. The final points of the inning would come when Bradford doubled to drive in both Will Foote and Riley Wood and give Hartselle a 6-1 lead.
Hartselle would add another run in the third and then 2 more in the fifth. Trace Carpenter would score on a wild play in which Taylor Easterling laid down a bunt and ended up reaching third due to errors. Hartselle would go on to win the first game 9-1. Jake Rice pitched the whole game and finished with 16 first pitch strikes and 4 strikeouts. Hayden Bradford led the Tigers in hits and RBIs with 2 and 3 respectively.
Hartselle would look to do much of the same in the second game. Blake Lowe would get the start on the mound.
The Tigers would get the ball rolling in the second inning. Easterling would start the inning off with a double to center field. Hartselle would then get the bases loaded due to walks. Bradford and Blackwood would combine for 4 RBIs in the inning and help Hartselle gain a 5-1 lead at the end of the second inning.
The Tigers would add another big inning in the third. Hartselle would start the inning with bases loaded after a single and double by Austin Parker and Connor Burks and then a walk. The Tigers would finish the inning with 5 more runs and go on to win the game 11-1. Lowe finished with 14 first pitch strikes and 4 strikeouts. Blackwood led the Tigers with 3 hits and 4 RBIs.
