TAZ AT ARDMORE - MIDDLE SCHOOL RED DEVILS

I think the Middle School Devils must have been getting a ton of phone calls from political hopefuls tonight because they were distracted by something and were certainly not focused on baseball and the scoreboard confirmed that by two really bad losses (giveaways) to Ardmore.

Eli Hobbs pitched 3 innings the 1st game and had 4 Ks. We were fortunate to get a couple runs, 1 by Nelson on an RBI by Moss in the 1st and the 2nd byJohnson with another RBI credited to Moss. We were down 6-2 when Riggs relieved Hobbs in the home side of the 4th and we wound up with a 10 - 2 loss.

Game 1
	1st	2nd	3rd	4th	5th	Final
Elkmont	1	1	0	0	0	2
Ardmore	1	4	1	4	-	10
Pitching:
Eli Hobbs, 3 innings, 4 Strike Outs, 1 Walk, 5 Hits
Travis Riggs, 1 inning, 3 Walks, 2 Hits
Batting:
Jordan Nelson, 1 Single, 1 Double
Aron Moss, 1 Single, 2 RBI's
Brady Garris, 2 Singles

The nightcap was not any better, Wilson started on the mound and after 1 complete we were still 0-0. Hobbs scored in the 2nd while courtesy running for the pitcher Wilson. Wilson could not get out of the 2nd, along with Taylor and finally Moss to get us to the 3rd but by then we were down 9-1.  Watts scored on an RBI by Cook, Nelson on an RBI by Garris, and Cook on an RBI by McCown to make it 9-4 going into the bottom of the 3rd. Tyler took the mound for Devils and got us to the 4th down 11-4 with 2 K's. We put one more on the board in the 4th when Craig scored and credit Cook with another RBI. Garris and Johnson took the mound in the bottom of the 4th and our final was 15-5. 

Game 2
	1st	2nd	3rd	4th	5th	Final
Elkmont	0	1	3	1	-	5
Ardmore	0	9	2	4	-	15
Pitching:
Ethan Wilson, 1 inning, 2 hits, 2 walks
Taylor Thomas, 2/3 inning, 1 hit, 3 walks
Aron Moss, 1/3 inning, 1 walk
Bryce Tyler, 1 inning, 1 hit, 3 walks, 2 strike outs
Brady Garris, 1/3 inning, 3 walks
Josh Johnson, 1/3 inning, 3 hits
Batting:
Jordan Nelson, 1 Single
Jackson Cook, 1 Single, 2 RBI's
Brady Garris, 1 Single, 1 RBI
Peyton McCown, 1 RBI

The Devils gave the Tigers way too many opportunities tonight and did not take advantage of our own opportunities. We left many a base runner stranded; gave them too many extra outs and could not throw strikes with any consistency. I really wish that the Devils had brought their usual game with them to Ardmore tonight, because I think they would have come away with 1 or 2 in the Win column. Hope to report more sunny news tomorrow when the Red Devils play at Athens Bible School @ 2:20 p.m in a double header.......Taz out!!!

TIME CHANGE FOR THIS TUESDAY

The varsity game vs ABS starting time has been changed from 4:15 to 3:15 pm.  The JV game will follow the varsity game.


The middle school doubleheader will start at 2:20 pm at Athens Bible School.


Hillspirit's Weather for the games:
Sunny, wonderful and temps in the 70s.

HILLSPIRIT'S WEATHER FORECAST FOR TODAY'S GAMES

Rain will stay South and the Red Devils Middle School and Varsity teams will only see sprinkles, perhaps a stray shower and cloudy skies (clearing later?) for tonight's games.  Temps in the low 60s.

THIS WEEK IN BASEBALL

ELKMONT HIGH SCHOOL BASEBALL SCHEDULE FOR MARCH 12 -17

MARCH  12

• Varsity @ West Limestone – double header starting @ 4:30 pm
• Middle School @ Ardmore – double header starting @ 4:30 pm

MARCH 13

• Varsity hosts Athens Bible School –starting @ 3:15  p.m.
• JV hosts Athens Bible School – starts after Varsity game
• Middle School @ Athens Bible School – double header starting @ 2:20 p.m.

MARCH  16

• Varsity @ Ardmore – 1 game starting @ 4:30 p.m.
• JV @ Ardmore – starts after Varsity game

MARCH 17

• JV hosting West Limestone – double header starting @ 2 p.m.
• Middle School hosting West Limestone – double header starting @ 10 a.m.

RED DEVILS STRUGGLE

The Elkmont Varsity Red Devils played their first away game this Saturday as they traveled to the Tanner Rattler field.   Rusty fielding skills (over 8 errors), umpire errors ( 3 really bad) and Tanner hitting were too much to overcome as Elkmont recorded another loss, 16 - 7.  

Jacob Blenkinsopp was the starting pitcher and pitched 2 and 2/3 innings (2 outs of the third inning).  Bryant Wales came in to finish out the inning.   The Red Devil second baseman bobbled a hard hit ball with two outs but quickly picked it up and threw it to first to end a dismal third inning in which Tanner scored seven runs. Elkmont only managed two runs as the Rattlers scored twelve runs at the end of three.

The Red Devils rallied in the fourth.  Kesler hit a double and scored on a Cole Glass single.  Ben Ferguson got on base on a error by the Tanner left fielder and Glass took advantage of the situation and added another run.  Ferguson stole second.  Jared Bailey hit a single and Ben ran to third, rounded the base and headed home.  It looked like the Devils would add another run as Ferguson slid under the catcher and was clearly safe.  However, the ump called him out in a very questionable call as the Tanner catcher caught the ball high and never tagged the Elkmont player to end the rally.  Bryant Wales pitched well and retired the Rattlers quickly with only one run scored to finish the fourth inning.

The heart of the Elkmont lineup stepped up to the plate to start the fifth. Skyler Gant hit for a single, Daniel Logan walked and Michael Haney added a single to load the bases.  Gant and Logan both scored on wild pitches.  Justin Kesler flew out to the center field but gained a RBI (run batted in) as Haney tagged up and scored from third.  Cole Glass ended the inning as he barely missed beating the throw from third base to first for the third out.  The score stood with Tanner 13, Elkmont 7 as Wales took the mound for the inning, getting three outs from four batters.

Jared Bailey took the mound for the sixth inning in his first pitching appearance this year.  The Elkmont Red Devils weren't able to score again in the sixth or seventh inning, making the score 16 - 7 for the Rattlers.  

The Red Devils record slips to 2 - 4 and will look to play better against the West Limestone Wildcats on Monday as they play a double header in Salem.  The varsity team has one more week to find their game before area play starts March 19 with Clements.

Reporter:   Hill Spirit

JV SPLIT AT WEST LIMESTONE

The JV team traveled to West Limestone for two games Saturday.  The first was against Huntsville Catholic.  Hunter Brazeal was the starting pitcher allowing 1 hit, 1 walk, and 1 run.

The Red Devils were down 1 - 0 heading to the bottom of the 5th.  Michael Lee Johnson batted in the tying run to send the game into extra innings. Catholic had 5 hits, 2 walks, and scored 4 runs off pitcher Adam McMahan to take the lead in the top of the 6th. With one out, the Red Devils brought in Michael Lee Johnson to pitch.   He finished the 6th, allowing no runs, walks, or hits.  Elkmont came to bat but couldn't seem to get it together as Catholic would take the win with the final score, 5 - 1.

Nolan Ryan: 2 walks

Adam McMahan:  single, double

Michael Lee: single

Although the loss was tough, the Red Devils had to re-group and get ready for their next game against the West Limestone Wildcats.

This time Camron Taylor would take the mound for the Red Devils.  He pitched the entire game allowing 6 hits, 3 walks, 4 runs, and is credited with a WIN!

The Red Devils won with the final score being 5 - 4; bringing the JV record to 4 - 3.

Nolan Ryan: walk

Adam McMahan: single, walk

Michael Lee:  2 singles

Hunter Brazeal: single

Camron Taylor: single, walk

Jordan Brooks: single

Hunter Taylor: single

Eli Vining: walk

Jarod Smallwood: single

Although the JV team is still struggling with batting and errors on defense in some positions, they seem to be improving overall.  If they continue with practice and learn to work as a team, I feel the

JV team will stay on track and end up with a winning record this year.

The JV team is scheduled to play ABS this Tuesday, March 13 @ Elkmont following the Varsity game.