The program’s best season since 2002 came to an end on Friday night in Russellville.

Mortimer Jordan (31-14) was swept out of the Class 5A semifinals by the three-time defending state champion Golden Tigers, 12-4 and 7-0. Russellville (30-15) started strong in both games, scoring six runs in the first inning of Game 1 and four runs in the first inning of Game 2.

The Blue Devils end the season just one step shy of the state championship series in Montgomery. Head coach Shayne Carnes led his team to best-of-three playoff wins over Clay-Central, West Point and Brooks before the fourth-round exit on Friday. 

Chase Batchelor recorded two of Mortimer Jordan’s five hits in the series opener, driving in two runs to go with single-RBI efforts from Joseph Swann and Trevor Chandler. Preston Jones (two innings pitched), Tripp Horton (two innings), Chas Austin (one inning) and Griffin Busby (one inning) shared time on the mound.

The Golden Tigers bopped a pair of three-run blasts in the first frame—one by Landon Ezzell and the other by Jeff Lloyd.

In the second game on Friday Mortimer Jordan managed only three hits on Caden Parker, who tossed six shutout innings for Russellville. Zach Prisoc went 2 for 3 at the dish while Swann came through for the only other hit of the contest.

Russellville will vie for its fourth straight 5A crown against Faith Academy this Thursday on Paterson Field in Montgomery.

Erik Harris is the Sports Editor of The North Jefferson News. Email him at njnsports@gmail.com or follow him on Twitter @jeharris2.