This weekend the Bob Jones Patriots Varsity Baseball team led by head coach Jared Smith traveled down to Hoover for their first games of the season. Bob Jones is coming into the year as the #6 ranked 7A team in the state.

They had a hard road ahead as they would play the #1 team in 7A Hoover, and the #2 teams in the state and defending champs, Central-Phenix. Their first game against the state champs was scheduled at 7, and they were fired up. At gametime, starting pitcher Sam Mitchell (Alabama Commit 23’) was set to take the mound, but the teams realized they had no umpires. The team waited an hour and a half. That didn’t change the energy level in the dugout. The umpires finally showed up around 8:45 PM.

The Patriots started on defense with Sam Mitchell to lead the way. Mitchell has a quick 1,2,3 inning. Once the Patriots were on offense, Braden Booth (Mississippi St. Commit 24’) gave the Patriots a quick 1-0 lead by blasting a double to the wall. Aidan Doyle (Uncommitted 23’) followed Booth with a hard hit ball up the middle, giving the Patriots a quick 2-0 in the first inning.

In the bottom of the third, Zach Johnson (Uncommitted 25’) lined an RBI single into the outfield, pushing the lead 3-1 Pats.

Top of the 5th, the Pats bring Braden Booth from 3rd into the pitch. Central-Phenix Blake Schneeber lined an RBI single down the left-field line, making it a 3-2 game. Carson Page of Central Phenix followed that up later in the inning by lining an RBI single, giving Central a 5-3 lead going into the bottom of the 5th. Later, Nate Mayfield (Coastal Alabama Commit 23’) lined a bases-loaded RBI double to give the Pats a 7-5 lead. Tanner Hermesch (Uncommitted 25’) came in for the last 6 outs and shut Central-Phenix down.

Tanner Hermesch ended up winning the shirt as Player for the Game as he shut down the defending state champs.