It was a very successful spring break for the Gardendale Rockets and Mortimer Jordan Blue Devils varsity baseball teams as they traveled down to the gulf to compete in the Gulf Coast Classic III.
Both teams tore through the draw to meet in what became a North Jefferson finals between two unbeaten teams. It makes a strong statement about the strength of baseball programs in North Jefferson.
The Rockets continued their solid offense during the game and led 5-0 through 3 innings. The big inning for the Rockets came in the 4th as they chalked up 7 runs to make the score 12-0 through 4 in a game called through 5 innings.
Logan Fitzgerald pitched the complete game for the Rockets, allowing 6 hits and a walk, with 5 strikeouts in a shut-out performance.
Hunter Thompson got the start for the Blue Devils and Tate Odom, Logan Duffner and Coleman Maldonado combined to close the game out.
Bryson Barnes, Caiden Combs, JD Salters and Grant Chandler all had hits for Gardendale, and Nick Rigdon and Juan Pablo Morales had multiple hits for the Rockets. Morales led the team with 4 RBIs.
Austin Morris, Eli Woody, Coleman Maldonado and Konnor Keplinger contributed hits for Mortimer Jordan, with Seth Mitchell adding multiple hits.
The Rockets win to become the Gulf Coast Classic III Champions and the Blue Devils take 2nd in the prestigous tournament.
North Jefferson was well represented by these teams reaching the finals, and it speaks to the great baseball teams and players in the area.
