Jemison advances with ‘business-like’ effort
Published 4:15 pm Monday, April 25, 2016
Jemison baseball swept Clay Central on the road during the first-round of the state playoffs with 6-3 and 4-3 victories, respectively.
“This team has been business-like the entire time,” Jemison head coach Jason Easterling said.
Banks Woodley started Game 1 and earned the victory with a complete game performance on the mound.
Game 2 was an evenly played affair that remained tied at 3-all entering the bottom half of the sixth inning.
However, Phillip Lenoir launched a home run that broke the tie and gave Jemison a 4-3 lead.
“We’ve been hitting the ball fairly well,” Easterling said. “We’re close.”
Lenoir was not done, as he relieved Game 2 starting pitcher Clay Cunningham in the seventh inning.
He registered the final three outs of the contest and picked up the win in the process.
Cunningham lasted six innings and kept Clay Central at bay, while placed with the no decision.
With the wins, the Panthers advance to play a familiar opponent in Helena, who finished ahead of Jemison in the area standings.
Helena defeated Jemison in the playoffs a year ago, and eventually wound up in Montgomery competing for a state title.
“I hope that we can return the favor this time around,” Easterling said.