Jackets eye Game 3
- Updated: May 2, 2024
Oxford rallies from five-run deficit to win Game 1 of 6A quarterfinals series, but Mountain Brook takes Game 2 to end Yellow Jackets’ postseason winning streak. Game 3 Friday.
By East Alabama Sports Today
OXFORD — Reid Maniscalco’s two-run home run sparked Oxford’s six-run fifth inning, and the Yellow Jackets rallied to beat Mountain Brook 6-5 in Friday’s Game 1 of their Class 6A quarterfinal series at Choccolocco Park.
Mountain Brook held off an Oxford rally in the seventh inning to win Game 2 4-2 and set the stage for Game 3 on Friday at 5 p.m.
The loss in Game 2 ended Oxford’s 15-game postseason winning streak, which included a 10-0 run to the 2023 Class 6A state championship. The Yellow Jackets swept Parker and Buckhorn in the first two rounds of this year’s playoffs.
Down 5-0 in Friday’s Game 1, Oxford rallied in the fifth inning. Rocco Maniscalco drew a leadoff walk ahead of Reid, who homered to right field to make it 5-2.
The other four runs came with two outs. Judd Syer scored on a balk to make it 5-3, and Canaan Whitman singled home Carter Johnson to makeit 5-4.
R.J. Brooks tied the game with a single to score Tide Gann, and Rocco Maniscalco’s RBI double gave Oxford the lead.
Gavin Griner got the win in relief, allowing four hits and one earned run with four strikeouts in 4 2/3 innings. Whitman pitched two innings of hitless relief.
Down 4-0 in the top of the seventh inning of Game 2, Oxford threatened to rally again. Nick Richardson’s fielder’s choice with bases loaded scored a run, and Forrest Heacock was hit by a pitch with bases loaded to make it 4-2 with two outs.
Kenneth Diddell settled down to strike out Gann to end the game.
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