Jackets lean on Potts, homers for victory over Rebels
The Calhoun Yellow Jackets needed a victory on Friday to nail down a playoff spot so they turned to their most experienced starter…and senior Brett Potts delivered.
The lefty was dominant in a complete-game effort at Haralson County to help the Jackets (19-9, 12-6 in 6-AAA) to a 3-0 victory to secure the No. 3 seed in Region 6-AAA. Potts went all seven innings and gave up only four hits while striking out 11 to earn the win on the mound. He also only allowed one walk.
Potts received all the offensive support he would need in the top of the first inning when Ben King went deep for a two-run homer. Davis Allen provided insurance with a solo homer of his own in the fourth inning. Also contributing offensively was Ethan Crump with a perfect 3-for-3 day, and Parker McPherson and Payton Morrow also had a hit apiece. Allen and Potts each reached on a walk, and Aaron Hayes scored a run.
Calhoun will open play in the Class AAA State Tournament on Thursday when they visit Region 5-AAA No. 2 seed Lovett. The series is set to open with a doubleheader starting at 5 p.m. on Thursday, and if a Game 3 is necessary it will be played on Friday at 6 p.m.
In other recent prep sports action:
The Phoenix wrapped up their season with a tough loss on Friday in which they couldn’t seem to get the bats going against a strong Coahulla Creek pitching performance.
Sonoraville (9-16, 5-13 in 6-AAA) was limited to just one hit on the night by Coahulla Creek starter Eli Turso, who went all seven innings and struck out nine for the win. Chase Kirby had the lone hit for the Phoenix. Storm Carnes reached twice on walks, and Wyatt Castoe also drew a walk. Matthew Vincent was also able to reach base, doing so via a hit by pitch.
Avery Hopper started the game on the mound for Sonoraville and went 1 2-3 innings before exiting with an injury. He allowed three runs (all unearned) on three hits while striking out one. Gage Soulios came on in relief and went the rest of the way as he kept the Phoenix in the game by limiting Coahulla Creek to one run on six hits while striking out three in 5 1-3 innings of work.
Sonoraville honored their eight seniors prior to the game as part of Senior Night festivities. The talented group included Kirby, Carnes, Hopper, Soulios, Colton Smith, Matthew Vincent and Tyler Lyles.
Sonoraville put together a late rally but came up short in a region road loss on Thursday.
The Phoenix (9-15, 5-12 in 6-AAA) trailed 7-1 going to the final inning but scored four runs in the top of the seventh to pull within two. That was as close as they got, however, as North Murray’s bullpen closed the door.
Sonoraville’s bats were led by Storm Carnes, who went 3-for-4, and Wyatt Castoe who had two hits and two RBIs. Gavin Phillips tripled and scored a run, Chase Kirby added an RBI and Matthew Vincent, Avery Hopper and Grant Hegwood also had hits. Gage Soulios and Tyler Lyles scored a run apiece as well.
On the mound, Sonoraville pitchers did their job as all seven runs for the Mountaineers were unearned. Trent Walker went 3 1-3 innings and gave up three runs (all unearned) on four hits while striking out two, Carnes pitched an inning and gave up an unearned run on one hit while striking one and Jacob Cornette pitched 1 2-3 innings and gave up three runs (all unearned) on three hits while striking out three.
Sonoraville hosted Calhoun and North Murray for a tri-match on Thursday at Fields Ferry and came away with some solid scores.
The Lady Phoenix shot a 154 as a team and were led by Clara Hulsey who fired a 39. Jenna Palazzolo shot a 57, and Brooke Jones carded a 58 to round out the team score.
The Sonoraville boys finished with a 178 as a team. Their low round came from Blake Rouzee who shot a 40. Ryan Redd (45), Destin Summers (46) and Lane Worley (47) completed the team score. Also completing rounds were Tucker Murray (45), Christian Balistreri (47) and Cody Grantham (51).
Sonoraville was in action against Calhoun and Gordon Central on Tuesday in the first day of the City/County Tournament at the Calhoun Elks Club. They will host Cass and Ringgold at Fields Ferry on Wednesday at 4 p.m.