Jags swat Hornets to advance to Class 6A semi-final

The Northridge Jaguars hosted the Chelsea Hornets at The Ridge on Friday evening, in the third round of the AHSAA Class 6A baseball state playoff. The Jags jumped out to early leads in both games, eventually winning Game 1 by seven runs and Game 2 by six runs. The Hornets put up a little more fight in Game 2, scoring three runs after the Jags took a 6-0 lead. However, Northridge answered in the next inning and eventually claimed the series 2-0.

Game 1 – Chelsea Hornets 1, Northridge Jaguars 8

After a leadoff walk, the Jags recorded three straight outs to blank the Hornets in the top of the first inning. In the bottom half, the Northridge dugout came alive and the Jags lit up the scoreboard with five runs. John Pruet got the first RBI of the game, singling to left to score Bus Payne (running for Evan Malone, 1-0). Grayson Cannon followed by reaching on an error that allowed Mims Miller (running for Wyatt Rath) to score (2-0). Cooper Obradovich recorded the Jags’ next two RBIs, knocking a single to right that scored Pruet (3-0) and Cannon (4-0). After a mound visit, Charlie Wilson singled to drive in Obradovich for the 5-0 Northridge lead.

Following a quiet second inning, both teams got a single run on the board in the third inning. After the Hornets scored their lone run of the contest (5-1), an error allowed Cannon, who had drawn a leadoff walk, to score (6-1) for the second time.

The scoring column was quiet for both teams in the fourth inning and Northridge held Chelsea off the board in the top of the fifth, before adding two more runs. Obradovich drove Pruet across the plate (7-1) on a sacrifice fly to left. Wilson’s second hit of the game scored Cannon (8-1) for the final run of Game 2.

Wilson went 2-for-2 and totaled two RBIs. Mayson Elam, Rath, Pruet, Obradovich and Ellis Tucker collected one hit each for the Jags. Cannon scored three runs and Pruet scored two. Obradovich was credited with one run scored. Obradovich led with three RBIs. Pruet and Cannon had one RBI each.

Malone recorded a complete game on the mound, striking out eight, while giving up two hits and a single run.

Game 2 – Northridge Jaguars 9, Chelsea Hornets 3

After some refreshment, for the field and players, it took the Jags an inning to get back into the flow and light up the scoreboard. As the visitors for Game 2, the Jags claimed the lead with two runs in the top of the second inning. Cannon’s leadoff single resulted in the first run of Game 2 when Ford Cole singled to right to score Cannon (1-0). Elam followed with a single to left, scoring Tucker (2-0).

The Hornets threatened in the bottom of the second, but the Jags were able to extinguish the threat without relinquishing a run. Then, Northridge added four runs to take a 6-0 lead in the top of the third. After singles by Pruet and Cannon, Obradovich drew a walk to load the bases. Wilson drew a walk, pushing Pruet across the plate (3-0). Tucker followed with a single to center, scoring Cannon (4-0) and Obradovich (5-0). Cole’s at-bat resulted in an error that allowed Wilson to score (6-0).

The Hornets made it interesting in the bottom of the third, scoring three runs to cut the Northridge lead to 6-3. However, the Jags answered in the top of the fourth, matching the Chelsea output and reclaiming a 6-run lead. In a moment of déjà vu, walks issued to Pruet, Cannon and Obradovich loaded the bases for Wilson who drew another walk, scoring Pruet (7-3). Tucker followed with a fly to left which resulted in a error by Chelsea, allowing Cannon (8-3) and Obradovich to score (9-3).

Neither team was able to put any more runs on the board and the Jags claimed a 9-3 victory to close out the series, 2-0.

Cannon went 2-for-2 for Northridge and also scored two runs. Pruet also collected two hits and scored two runs. Elam, Malone, WIlson, Tucker and Cole had one hit each for the Jags. Obradovich scored two runs, with Tucker scoring one run. Wilson, Tucker and Cole collected two RBIs each, and Elam had one RBI.

Evan Champion got the start on the mound. Champion completed three innings, striking out four while surrendering three runs on four hits. Adam Hall had four solid innings of relief, striking out three and giving up only one hit.

Northridge will travel to Hoover, to take on the Spain Park Jaguars in the Class 6A semi-finals. Game 1 is scheduled for Friday, May 15 at 4:30pm with Game 2 to follow at approximately 7:00pm.