By Staff
Staff Reports, Hartselle Enquirer
Each of Hartselle's games was close and two went into extra innings as the Tigers finished 1-2 at the Buccaneer Classic in Hoover during the week of spring break. Hartselle (16-11) dropped its first two games at the Classic, losing 3-2 to host Hoover in eight innings and 5-3 to rival Cullman, but bounced back to knock off Bob Jones 8-7 in nine innings March 23.
The Tigers opened area play Tuesday with a doubleheader on the road against Muscle Shoals.
Hartselle 8
Bob Jones 7 (9 innings)
Daxton Maze's RBI single with the bases loaded in the bottom of the ninth proved to be the difference as Hartselle knocked off the Patriots. Hartselle trailed 7-6 after Bob Jones scored in the top of the ninth, but the Tigers would not go away quietly.
Quinn Dunlap led off the inning by reaching base on an error and came around to score on a double by senior Jordan Parker. Parker moved to third on the throw home, and Bob Jones elected to walk the next two batters to load the bases and set up Maze's game-winning hit.
Parker finished the game with three RBIs and scored two runs. Keith McCaghren also had an RBI and finished 2-for-4.
J.C. Bates pitched seven innings to pick up the win, allowing three earned runs and five runs total while striking out five.
Cullman 5
Hartselle 3
Defense let down the Tigers against Cullman as the Bearcats scored three unearned runs off losing pitcher Will Rankin. Rankin worked six innings, striking out three and scattering six hits while allowing just one earned run.
Jake Bradford was 1-for-2 with a double for the Tigers. Maze, McCaghren and Joe McClanahan finished 1-for-3 and Dunlap was 1-for-4.
Hoover 3
Hartselle 2 (8 innings)
Losing pitcher Keith McCaghren did the best he could to help his cause, finishing 1-for-2 with two RBIs in the loss. He also had a solid game on the mound, striking out six and allowing three hits and one earned run.
Parker finished the game 2-for-4 with a run. Justin Hargett finished 1-for-3 and scored a run and Chenault and McClanahan each had one base hit.