Fresh off an upset of No. 3 Oakman in the first round of the state baseball playoffs, Elkmont is eager to build off that momentum when they travel to Pleasant Valley for a second round series Friday.
Elkmont's win over the third-ranked team in Class 3A couldn't have come in more dramatic fashion Saturday in the deciding game of the series. Oakman scored a run in the top of the seventh inning to pull within 4-3 and had runners on second and third with one out.
Elkmont pitcher Jackson Cook forced one batter to pop out to center field and got the final out on a ground ball to shortstop Hunter Pittman, allowing Elkmont to hang on for a dramatic first-round playoff victory.
“The guy (Curry) hits probably the hardest hit of the whole series and for whatever reason the runner on third didn't tag,” said Elkmont head coach Zach Standridge. “Our center fielder, Patrick Jobman, made a great play. If he doesn't catch that, they go up 5-4 and probably win the game.”
Elkmont upset No. 3 Oakman 3-2 in the opener, then lost the second game 14-2 Friday night to force a third game. In Saturday's deciding game, Elkmont jumped out to an early lead and held on for a 4-3 victory to advance.
Elkmont saved its best for last, putting Cook on the mound when it mattered most. Cook struck out seven batters and allowed three runs in a complete game win.
“Jackson made a lot of good pitches and we made some plays when we had to,” said Standridge. “He made some great pitches in some clutch positions. Can't say enough about how well he played.”
Not many people gave Elkmont (18-18) a chance on the road against an Oakman team that racked up 26 victories this season. With Cook or Brett Parker on the mound, however, Standridge said he knew his team would have a chance.
“We knew they would be good. They probably have the best pitching staff of any 3A team we've faced,” he said. “But we also knew our pitchers would give us a chance to win. If we could hold them, we thought we could win a few low scoring games.”
Elkmont's strategy worked to near perfection. The Red Devils ground out a 3-2 victory in Friday's opening game and started Cook in the second game. After several errors led to two Curry runs in the second inning and with Curry's best pitcher on the mound, Standridge opted to save Cook for Saturday's deciding game.
“We felt like we could win if we scored four or five runs. We got some clutch hits and were ahead in every game.” said Standridge. “I think they played a little tight because they were the favorite and us being ahead in those games helped.”
Elkmont did not know if they would even be in the playoffs until its final area series of the season. The Red Devils needed a win over rivals Clements in their final area game April 13 to secure a playoff berth.
“We beat Clements to get into the playoffs and then beat Ardmore earlier in the week at their place,” said Standridge. “We carried that momentum into Oakman. The kids are playing with a lot of confidence right now.”
First pitch from Pleasant Valley in Jacksonville is 5 p.m. Friday.
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