Jags strike early and often in 10-1 win over Knights
The Northridge Jaguars jumped out to an early lead against Tuscaloosa Academy Knights held the Knights scoreless for six of seven innings, en route to a 10-1 victory in a game held at Sipsey Valley High School.
The Jags scoring commenced when Wyatt Rath singled to score Mayson Elam, who led off the bottom of the first inning with a double and moved to second on a fly ball from Thomas Woolf. Rath moved to second when Evan Malone was hit by pitch. Ford Cole followed in the footsteps of Malone and was also hit by pitch, loading the bases. Rath then scored on a wild pitch to give Northridge a 2-0 lead after one complete inning.
After the Knights were able to plate what would be their only run of the game, Elam, singled to right and promptly stole second to get the Jags going in the bottom of the second. A passed ball moved Elam to third base. Woolf was walked four pitches later. After Woolf stole second, Rath sacrificed to center, scoring Elam and moving Woolf to third. Evan Malone followed with a pop-up to second that was misplayed, allowing Malone to reach base and Woolf to score. After courtesy runner Aiden Avery advanced to second, Ford Cole reached first due to an error. The error allowed Avery to score Northridge’s third run of the inning, giving the Jags a 5-1 lead. Tayte Dunn doubled to bring Cole home. Miller Arendale, courtesy runner for Cole, advanced to third on a wild pitch and scored the Jags’ final run of the inning on a passed ball, resulting in a 7-1 lead for Northridge after two full innings.
The Jags added their eighth run in the bottom of the third after Elam walked, stole second and third, then scored on a sacrifice from Woolf. Northridge’s Grayson Cannon scored the Jags’ ninth run came in the bottom of the fourth inning. Cannon singled to lead off the inning, advanced to second on a pop fly from Nunnally then scored on a single to left by Woolf. The last run of the game was scored by Elam in the bottom of the sixth inning. After leading off with a walk, Elam reached second on a passed ball. Barron Gatlin singled to right field to send Elam around to home plate. Northridge held the Knights in the top of the seventh to claim the 10-1 victory.
Elam had a nice game at the plate, going 3-for-4. Rath, Cole and Cannon collected two hits each for the Jags. Woolf, Malone, Gatlin and Dunn tallied one hit each. Elam scored four runs for Northridge. Woolf, Rath, Cole, Cannon and Arendale scored one run each. Woolf and Rath collected two RBIs each. Gatlin and Dunn notched one RBI each.
Malone got the start on the mound and completed five innings. Malone allowed one run on three hits, while striking out eight and walking one. Gatlin contributed two innings of relief, struck out three and walked one.
