Area play began with a bang, as Jemison High School’s baseball team swept Calera with road victories on March 17 and March 19.

The Panthers won three straight games that were pitching duals that were decided by one run, but in favor of the Panthers on each occasion.

Game 1 was won 2-1 thanks to some masterful pitching on the mound by starting pitcher Banks Woodley.

He pitched a complete game and struck out nine batters, while allowing just one earned run.

The winning run came home after Trey Sanders was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded in the bottom of the seventh inning.

Will Lenoir went 2-for 3 while Phillip Lenoir, Logan Ray and Sanders each had a hit in the game as well.

Game 2 was much of the same, as Jemison won 2-0 and claimed the series victory over Calera.

Clay Cunningham put forth another strong pitching performance as he started the game and went all seven innings.

He showcased precision accuracy by striking out 10 batters and surrendering no walks during the contest.

Jemison’s offense came alive in the final game of the series, and the Panthers won 4-3.

Phillip Lenoir was the winning pitcher and Ray earned the save.

Phillip Lenoir helped his own cause at the plate with a two-run home run, his fourth of the season.

Ray finished a perfect 3-for-3 at the plate and Will Johns went 1-for-2 to help fuel the offensive effort.

 

Maplesville and CCHS earn softball wins

Maplesville beat Ellwood Christian 21-2 on Tuesday at home, as the Red Devils scored 18 runs in the first inning and added three more in the second inning.

Ellwood scored one of the game’s first runs with an inside-the-park home run.

Regan Dunkin, Kayla Epperson and Brinley Carter each had two hits, while one of Carter’s was a grand slam.

Carter scored three runs and had 6 RBIs on the night.

Alyssa McGee was the winning pitcher after two innings of work. She struck out three, and allowed one run on one hit.

Allison Jones threw one inning, striking out two, and allowed no hits.

Maplesville improved to a record of 6-4.

Meanwhile, Chilton County defeated Selma 7-1 on Tuesday on the road.

The Tigers broke the game open with a five-run explosion in the fifth inning.

The Tigers scored in the fifth on a walk by Taylor Smitherman, a walk by Caelyn Griffin and a three-run double by Morgan Dennis.

Dennis racked up four RBIs on two hits.

Hannah Oakes was a workhorse in the circle for Chilton County. She allowed two earned runs, five hits and one walk while striking out five over 6 2/3 innings of work.

The defensive play of the game was turned in by Tadeja Wright, as she tracked a foul ball and made the catch while sliding into the fence.

The tigers will host Hillcrest High School on Friday starting at 4:30 p.m.