Intense

By EASportsToday.com
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Updated: April 23, 2016

Cleburne County takes pair of highly charged 6-5 victories from Hokes Bluff to win playoff series

Jordan Brown looks in for a sign during the second game of Cleburne County’s playoff doubleheader with Hokes Bluff Friday. Below, catcher Austin Harler prepares to fire on a runner. On the cover, Will Morrow slides head-long into home plate. (Photos by Jonathan Fordham/J&E Art&Design)

By East Alabama Sports Today

HEFLIN – If you ever wondered why the Cleburne County baseball team played so many games and used so many pitchers during the season, the answer came Friday night.

The Tigers took two intense 6-5 games from Hokes Bluff to sweep their opening-round Class 4A playoff series, and coach Vaughn Lee credited their pitching depth for getting the job done.

Damian Benefield and Macain Carlile both pitched 1-2/3 inning of shutout relief after the Tigers retook the lead late in the game to close out both victories. The Tigers used four pitchers in the eight-inning nightcap, at one point re-inserting starter Jordan Brown.

“The pitching staff in general was the key,” Lee said. “We threw a bunch of pitchers in the second game, a lot of situational stuff.

“I can’t tell you how the depth of our pitching really paid off tonight. We’ve got about eight pitchers who threw a good bit and we play a lot of games and I think that paid off tonight. The fact we play so many games and used a lot of pitchers was one of the biggest differences we were able to win these games.”

Nick Dunston played a big role at the plate delivering two-out go-ahead singles in each game.

His hit in the sixth inning of the opener broke a 4-4 tie after the Tigers rallied for two runs after Hokes Bluff tied it with four runs in the top of the inning. His two-run single in the sixth-inning of the second game gave the Tigers a 5-3 lead before Hokes Bluff tied it with two in the seventh.

Brock Swafford dramatic two-out single in the top of the eighth brought home Macain Carlile with what proved to be the series-clinching run and Carlile made it stand with a shutdown bottom of the inning. The Tigers were looking to add more on the play, but had two runners thrown out on the bases, including a runner at the plate, which brought out the emotion on both sides.

Carlile was scheduled to be the Saturday starter if the series was extended. He threw an inning and two-thirds of shutout relief, giving up two hits and striking out the last two batters of the game. Benefield didn’t allow a hit in his relief appearance.

“It was a very intense playoff environment and our guys really answered and responded well,” Lee said.

The Tigers face what is expected to be another intense series next week when they travel to play fifth-ranked Cherokee County.

Game One
Hokes Bluff 010 004 0 – 5 7 1
Cleburne County 210 012 x – 6 5 2

Game Two
Cleburne County 300 002 01 – 6 9 3
Hokes Bluff 021 000 20 – 5 8 4