The Gardendale Rockets looked in control of game 1 of the key 3 game series on Tuesday night, up 5-1 through 4 innings.
This is a key series for both teams as the winner of the 3 game series will find themselves in 1st place in the area and host the first round of the playoffs.
The game turned Mortimer Jordan’s way starting in the 5th inning, as they added 2 runs in each of the last 3 innings against just one scored by Gardendale with the game ending 7-6.
Mortimer Jordan had 11 hits on the night. Gardendale 6 hits.
Konner Keplinger, Mason Smallwood, Baker Armstrong, Seth Mitchell, Tate Odom and Coleman Maldonado all contributed a hit for the Blue Devils. Austin Morris and Logan Duffner had mutliple hits.
Keplinger got the start for the Blue Devils, allowing 6 hits and 6 runs in 6 innings pitched. He added 7 strikeouts.
Hunter Thompson closed it out for Mortimer Jordan in relief, going 1 inning and, impressively, striking out 3 of the 4 batters he faced.
For Gardendale, Bryson Barnes, Caiden Combs, Ty McGraw and Grant Chandler had a hit, and Nick Rigdon led batting with a 2 for 3 night.
Eli Moore got the start for the Rockets, and put in 6 innings, allowing 8 hits and 5 runs with 5 strikeouts.
Kyle Norris closed out for the Rockets, pitching an inning and allowing 3 hits and 2 runs and a strikeout.
The teams face each other tonight in a doubleheader, to close out the 3 game series, the first game is a pivotal game. If Mortimer Jordan takes the first game, they will take 1st place in the area. It’s a must win game for the Rockets to keep their hopes alive and take it to a deciding game 3.
