Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

By Carey Reeder | Managing Editor

While it was picture-perfect conditions for baseball on day one of the 2024 Chilton County Baseball Tournament on March 7, rain took down day two before championship day on March 9.

Sunny skies and a light breeze graced Jack Hayes Field in Clanton as Chilton County and Maplesville high schools squared off to get the tournament underway. The Tigers took a 3-0 lead in the second inning after a J.D. Terrell single, but Maplesville responded right away with three runs in the away-half of the third inning, all with two outs. RBI singles by Bradlee Padgett and Pearce Yeargan plated the three runs to tie the game which stayed tied until the bottom of the fifth inning. In the inning, CCHS posted nine runs including home runs from Garrett Lawley and Terrell to earn the eventual 12-5 win.

Terrell was 2-for-2 with four RBIs, and Brody Pierce and Lawley each had two RBIs. Logan Coppedge and Lawley each struck out three hitters on the mound for the Tigers.

Yeargan led the way for Maplesville with a 2-for-4 effort and three RBIs.

Jemison and Isabella high school showcased in game two with the Panthers taking the 4-2 win. Isabella went on top 1-0 in the first inning after a dropped third strike plated a run. Things were quiet until the bottom half of the fourth inning when back to back singles from Luke Gann and Trenton Gaines scored two runs to give Jemison a 2-1 lead.

Isabella’s Austin Porter tied the game the next inning with an RBI single, and it remained tied until the bottom of the sixth inning when Jemison’s Cooper Smitherman slapped a two-RBI double to give the Panthers the win.

Jemison’s Carter Domino threw a near complete game going six and two-third innings giving up five hits, two runs and striking out 17 hitters. Smitherman and Gaines both had two RBIs at the plate.

Colton Conway threw a complete six innings for the Mustangs striking out five hitters, and D.J. Atchison and Eli Boatwright each had doubles in the game for Isabella.

Thorsby High School took down Verbena High School 10-0 in the nightcap of day one behind a complete game on the mound from Christopher Buendtner going five innings and surrendering just three hits while striking out nine batters.

Thorsby posted all 10 runs within the first three innings, and they were led by Aiden Seely going 2-for-2 with four RBIs, followed by Malachi Allgood with a 2-for-3 effort and two RBIs.

Kaden Coggins, Chris Guzman and Ethan Hand each collected singles for Verbena.

Day two was cut short due to rain, but not before one game was able to get underway and completed between Isabella and Verbena. The Red Devils scored a run in each of their first two innings before a two-RBI single from Richard Henderson tied the game at two runs apiece.

The rest of the game saw just two more hits, two singles, and the game was called a 2-2 tie after eight full innings. Porter threw seven innings for Isabella giving up two hits, two walks and striking out 13 hitters. Guzman was solid on the mound for Verbena going eight innings and giving up four hits, three walks and striking out seven hitters.

Game two got to the bottom of the second inning before the skies opened up and play was halted for weather. Maplesville took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning on an RBI single by Cade Smith, but an error and RBI single by Manuel Castillo of Thorsby gave them a 2-1 lead before play was stopped.

The March 9 schedule for the final day of the 2024 Chilton County Baseball Tournament is to be determined based on the wash out of games on March 8. Check with your local coaches and the Clanton Advertiser Facebook page for updates.