Oxford, AL – This time, top-ranked Oxford gets the best of Hartselle, sweeps quarterfinal series to move one series victory away from playing state finals at home
Oxford lost a quarterfinal series to Hartselle in 2021, and a season-opening loss to Hartselle caused the Yellow Jackets to wait weeks into the season before overcoming the Tigers for No. 1 in the Alabama Sports Writers Association poll.
Consider the score settled.
Home runs from Forrest Heacock, Drew McCormick and Sam Robertson powed the Yellow Jackets to a 4-1 victory over Hartselle in Thursday’s Game 1 of their third-round, Class 6A playoff series, and a four-run rally in the sixth inning keyed a 5-3 victory in Game 2.
Oxford (35-6) will go on the road to play the Cullman-Gardendale winner in the semifinals. Cullman and Gardendale split Thursday and will play Game 3 on Friday at 6 p.m.
The Yellow Jackets stand one series victory away from playing the state finals at home. Game 1 of the Class 6A finals will be played on Choccolocco Park’s signature field on May 16 at 4 p.m., and Games 2 and 3 are set for Jacksonville State’s Jim Case Stadium on May 17, starting at 10 a.m.
“So so proud of each and every one of our players on their effort tonight,” Oxford coach Wes Brooks said. “Hitting, pitching and defense … I thought we won all phases of the game.”
A clutch rally in the sixth inning saved Oxford’s the sweep of Hartselle.
After Hartselle added a run to lead 3-1 in the top of the sixth, Oxford scored four runs to take a 5-3 lead. A Carter Johnson single plus an error allowed Peyton Watts to score after Watts reached on a double. Sam Robertson’s bunt single moved Johnson to second base.
Forrest Heacock’s single to score Johnson, and Robertson scored on an outfield error. Heacock advanced to third.
Pinch runner Caleb Robertson scored on a wild pitch for the fourth run.
Johnson retired three of four batters he faced in the seventh to finish it, striking out Peyton Steele with a runner on to end it.
Hayden Gallahar pitched the first six innings, spreading out seven hits with one walk and six strikeouts. Two of Hartselle’s three runs were earned.
Hayes Harrison, who battled hip issues in the Yellow Jackets’ second-round sweep of Mountain Brook, pitched a complete game in Thursday’s Game 1. He allowed five hits and one walk with four striketouts.
Harrison also batted against Hartselle in both games Thursday. The reigning Class 4A-6A All-Calhoun County player of the year didn’t bat against Mountain Brook.
“Hayes’ hip did good,” Brooks said.
The Oxford-Hartselle series featured the teams ranked Nos. 1 or 2 all season. Oxford was No. 1 in the season’s final ASWA poll, released April 19, and Hartselle was No. 2.
“Hats off to Coach (William) Booth and the entire Hartselle nation,” Brooks said. “Great host and great hospitality. The environment was first class.
“So many guys stepped up and got it done tonight, and, as as far as our fans go, we traveled well, as always. So nice to see so many Oxford faces support our boys. They were the best.” [read more sports stories…]
