Devils win clash of state’s top-ranked teams

By Robert Carter

The North Jefferson News




HUEYTOWN — It was a battle of the number-one teams in Class 6A and Class 5A, and something had to give.

That something was the Golden Gophers, who gave up a run off three straight Mortimer Jordan hits, then allowed two more runs to cross on walks as the Blue Devils shut out the reigning 6A state champions 3-0 on Wednesday afternoon.

Mortimer Jordan had to forego their normal mode of big-bat softball, and was instead content with small-ball to move runners around the base paths.

In fact, the only thing close to a big hit was the Devils’ first hit of the day, a double by pitcher Blair Johnson in the fourth inning. That hit, which was the only extra-base hit of the game, was the first of three straight by Jordan that eventually sent Johnson home when Danae Hays knocked a blooper into left field.

“Against a team like Hueytown, you get on base any way you can,” Jordan coach Laura Rickman said. “Big hits won’t work with them. Blair’s double was what got us going.”

The Devils’ other two runs came in off walks by Hueytown pitcher Leigha Streetman, her only two bases on balls of the the day. After center fielder Haylie McCleney got on base with a single, she moved to second when Heather Parker reached on an dropped ball in center field. Hays’ single sent her to third, and she came home on four balls to catcher Morgan Estell.

Parker then scored the same way when Streetman walked Shelby McGraw.

Those were the only mistakes made by Streetman, who otherwise overpowered the Devils. She struck out 16 Jordan batters, including five straight after the pair of walks.

Johnson allowed four hits, two to Streetman and the other two to Heather Johnston. She struck out five.

The Blue Devils are in the 50-team Bob Jones tournament this weekend in Madison.