Bats awaken as Panthers stay alive

Published 9:39 pm Thursday, March 15, 2012

By James Dubuisson | Special to the Advertiser

The Jemison Panthers bounced back from Tuesday’s loss to Thorsby by defeating Maplesville, 12-2, in the first of two games played in the Chilton County Baseball Tournament on Thursday.

After not recording a hit in Tuesday’s loss, the Panthers on Thursday scored four runs in the top of the first inning off of three singles, an error, a walk and a hit batsman.

Jackson Mims hit a two-run home run for JHS in the second inning to extend the lead to 6-0.

There were three runs added to the Panthers’ lead in the third, two of which came off of a double by Mims.

The Panthers held a 9-0 lead heading into the fifth inning after a scoreless fourth. JHS scored two runs in the fifth before Mims stepped up to plate for his fourth and final at-bat. Mims proceeded to hit his second home run of the day and put the Panthers up 12-0.

The Red Devils got on the board in the bottom of the fifth with two runs. One run came off of a fielders’ choice where the batter was thrown out at first base while a run scored from third. MHS was able to load the bases and score another run off a hit by pitch.

The Panthers were able to stop another run from scoring in the inning, which allowed for the 10-run rule to come into effect.

Nick Campbell was the winning pitcher and threw four scoreless innings, allowing only two hits and one walk.

JHS coach Jason Easterling said the most important part of this game was the offense.

“Coming off of the no-hitter, it was great to come back and hit the ball,” Easterling said.

Mims went 4-for-4 at the plate with two home runs and a double. He drove in five runs and scored three runs.

On Friday at 7 p.m., JHS will play the winner of the Isabella/Verbena game, which was also played on Thursday but ended too late to be included in this report.

MHS was eliminated with the loss.

Chilton County plays Thorsby at 4:30 p.m. Friday.