MRA takes Game 1 from Jackson Academy with 15-5 rout in MAIS Baseball Playoff Semifinals
MADISON — All Madison-Ridgeland Academy needed was one big inning to turn Game 1 into a rout.
The Patriots plated 10 runs in the bottom of the third inning on the way to a 15-5 win over rival Jackson Academy in five innings in Game 1 of their MAIS Class 6A Semifinal Round playoff series at Patriot Field on Tuesday night.
Game 2 of the series is set for 6 p.m. Wednesday night at Jackson Academy. If necessary, Game 3 will be at 6 p.m. Thursday back at MRA. The winner of the series gets the winner of the Jackson Prep - Hartfield series.
“Biggest key was we scored eight of those runs with two outs and that was obviously big for us,” said MRA coach Allen Pavatte. “I was proud of our kids for how they played after having the week off last week and they did a good job of responding.”
MRA’s first three runs of the game came with two outs to take a 3-0 lead in the bottom of the first on RBI double down the third base line by Conner Stewart and a two-run home run to center by Corey Watkins.
Jackson Academy cut the lead to 3-1 in the top of the third on a solo home run to right center by Mississippi State signee Dakota Jordan.
In the bottom of the third, the Patriots scored 10 runs on five hits and sent 13 batters to the plate to take a 13-1 lead. South Carolina signee Stone Blanton and Conner Stewart each hit a three-run home run in the inning.
Stewart had three hits with four RBI’s and was a triple shy of the cycle to lead MRA (34-4) offensively. Watkins had two hits for the Patriots.
“I was just hoping for a fastball and try to drive something up the middle and pitcher missed his spot, and I took advantage of it,” Stewart said. “The whole team played there part tonight and we emphasize on the little things hitting wise and it’s paying off. Now we feel good about tomorrow to clinch the series.”
J.T. Thigpen had a three-run home run for Jackson Academy in the top of the fourth to cut the MRA lead to 13-5.
Blanton had a walk-off double to right to give the Patriots the 15-5 ten-run mercy rule win.
Ole Miss commit Jackson Evers (8-2) got the win on the mound tossing a five-inning complete game giving up eight hits, five runs, four walks and four strikeouts.
“Stewart and Watkins both had an outstanding night and Stone is starting to catch on fire,” Pavatte said. “JA is a very dangerous team hitting wise and they are tough outs. We knew coming in we had to put up some runs,”
Cade Gadman (3-1) took the loss on the mound for Jackson Academy. Trey Adams had two hits for the Raiders (21-13).
“They hit the ball really well tonight and they are a good hitting team,” said Jackson Academy coach Parker Harris. “One mistake we made lead to several runs and that’s been the case for us all season. Our backs are against the wall now, so we will see what happens tomorrow.”
