Tigers sweep Decatur to earn spot in playoffs
The Hartselle Tigers swept the Decatur Red Raiders to clinch a spot in the upcoming AHSAA playoffs.
This will be the Tigers’ 31st consecutive year to play in the playoffs. The last time they missed the playoffs was in 1988 during Coach William Booth’s first season as head coach.
Game 1: Hartselle 4, Decatur 3
In game one, the Tigers won in dramatic fashion, as freshman Brodie Morrow had his second walk-off hit in the last two weeks to defeat the Red Raiders. His seventh inning single drove home Connor Ord for a 4-3 victory.
Decatur held a three-run lead heading into the bottom of the sixth inning. The Tigers cut into the lead with two runs in the sixth. Hartselle completed the comeback with two in the bottom of the seventh to win the game.
The Tigers tied the game on a Beau Fletcher homerun to lead off the seventh. Morrow, who was hitless in three at-bats, stepped to the plate with two runners on base with two outs. On a 0-1 count, Morrow singled to center and drove home Ord from third base.
DJ Leathers led Hartselle’s batters with two hits and a run scored. Morrow ended the day with the one hit and two RBIs. The Tigers also got RBIs from Drew Nix and Fletcher. Ord drew two walks and scored two runs.
Fletcher pitched a complete game in picking up the win for Hartselle. He went seven innings, allowing three runs on five hits while striking out 10.
Game 2: Hartselle 6, Decatur 5
The Tigers had to come from behind and hold off a late Decatur push to win game two of the series.
Decatur opened with three runs in the bottom of the first to take the early lead. Hartselle put up runs in the next four innings to take a 6-3 lead heading to the bottom of the fifth. The Red Raiders scored two to cut the Hartselle lead to one. Neither team would score again, and the Tigers would hold on to win 6-5.
Grayson Bray picked up the win for the Tigers, surrendering five runs on 12 hits over six innings, striking out eight. Elliott Bray pitched a scoreless seventh inning to earn the save in relief.
Hartselle was led at the plate by G. Bray and Blaze Gillispie, who both picked up two hits, including home runs. G. Bray’s blast came in the second inning, while Gillispie’s came in the third inning.
- Bray finished the day with a run and an RBI, while Gillispie scored two runs and had two RBIs.
Game 3: Hartselle 7, Decatur 0
Hartselle defeated Decatur 7-0 on in the final game of the series as four pitchers combined to throw a shutout. This victory secured the Tigers’ 31st straight appearance in the AHSAA state playoffs.
The Tigers scored runs in the first, second and fourth innings to make the difference in the game.
Hartselle’s offense was led by Drew Cartee, who had two hits, including a home run that came in the three-run fourth inning for his only RBI of the game. He also scored two runs in the game.
- Bray also added two hits and an RBI, while Nix had a double and two RBIs.
William Turner was the first of four pitchers for the Tigers. He earned the victory, as he went three innings, allowing zero runs on zero hits and striking out six. Colby Widner followed Turner on the mound and went two innings, allowing two hits and striking out five. Carter Borden pitched the sixth inning, striking out one, while Addison Parker pitched the seventh, striking out two.
What’s Next for the Tigers?
Hartselle will now play a three game series against Cullman to decide the area championship. The Tigers travel to Cullman Tuesday for a single game and then return home Thursday for a double header to decide the champion.