Tigers pick up first two wins of Phillips era
The Hartselle Tigers Baseball team opened the Brad Phillips era with two wins in the Alabama Kickoff Classic. Following William Booth, Phillips is only the second head coach in the last 37 years for the Tigers program.
“A couple of good character wins against a couple of top 10 programs in the state,” Hartselle coach Brad Phillips said. “We didn’t play great baseball, but throwing strikes and playing good defense will always keep you in ball games, and that’s what we did.”
Hartselle 1, Hoover 0
Hartselle opened the season with a 1-0 win over Hoover, arguably one of the top three teams in 7A. Pitching was the story in this game as Jace Meadows and two relievers combined to shut out the Bucs.
Meadows pitched 5.2 scoreless innings, striking out nine while allowing three hits. Carson Wilson pitched an inning of relief, allowing one hit while striking out one. Connor Stiles earned the save with a strikeout to close the game.
“Jace was outstanding against Hoover,” Phillips said. “Carson and Connor entered in difficult situations to close out the game and pick up the save.”
Easton Nelms had the game-winning RBI in the top of the seventh when he was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded, driving in Cain Falciani. Nelms had a hit and reached base twice by being hit by a pitch. Keaton Lance had the Tigers’ only other hit.
Hartselle 6, Gardendale 4
The Tigers battled from behind to defeat the Rockets 6-4 in 10 innings this past Saturday. Hartselle scored four runs in the top of the seventh to force extra innings.
Nelms and Asher Doepel each had three hits and a run scored to lead Hartselle. Nelms also drove in the game-winning run in the top of the 10th with a single. Carter Lee and Whit Crisler each finished with two hits, while Cruise Baker had a hit and two RBIs.
Nelms earned the win with four scoreless innings of relief, allowing only two hits.
“I’m most excited about the effort and intent that this team has shown on the road to open the season against the quality of teams we have played,” Phillips said. “We are not supposed to be playing our best baseball right now, and we are not, but it is nice to find a way to win road games late on the road.”
The Tigers (2-0) will hit the road again as they travel to South Alabama for games against Spain Park, Baldwin County, Fairhope and Tuscaloosa County.
