Falkville sweeps Hatton

By By Todd Thompson, Hartselle Enquirer
HATTON - Falkville’s youth movement proved last weekend that the Blue Devils are ready to make a run in the state playoffs.
With five sophomores in the lineup in the first round of the Class 2A state playoffs Friday, the Blue Devils swept Hatton in the best-of-three series with 5-3 and 7-4 victories.
Falkville improved to 16-9 overall with the sweep on the road.
The Blue Devils have reached the playoffs in five of the last six years under head coach Jeff Andrews, but have not advanced to the second round since 2004.
Hatton had won eight straight against Falkville coming into the first-round series.
The Blue Devils will face Cleveland on the road in the second round of the Class 2A playoffs. The best two-of-three series opens Friday with a doubleheader.
The Blue Devils, with a roster that features just three seniors and one junior, lost to Cleveland twice this season by 2-1 and 13-9 scores.
Hatton finished its season with a 22-11 record.
Falkville took the opening game against Hatton with a solid performance from Trevor Mayer on the mound. He went the distance to pick up the victory.
Hatton had the winning run at the plate in the seventh inning before Mayer closed out the game.
Brye Hill led Falkville with two hits, while Corey Holladay, Justin Cobb, Joseph Lacy and Coty Kelsoe each added hits in the win.
Falkville 7, Hatton 4
Joseph Lacy went the distance for Falkville in the second game.
Lacy was just as potent at the plate, finishing with three hits. He scored three of Falkville’s seven runs.
Brye Hill added three hits and drove in a pair of runs for the Blue Devils, while Justin Cobb had a pair of singles.
Falkville also got hits from Trevor Mayer, Cahd Kirkpatrick and Coty Kelsoe.
Hatton had the bases loaded in fifth inning trailing 6-4, but Lacy pitched out of the jam without allowing a run.
The Blue Devils got a strong defensive performance from Aaron Lee behind the plate. He kept Hatton baserunners in check.
Priceville ousted
Jeremy Hale and Stephen Starkey each had homers for Priceville as the Bulldogs were knocked from the Class 4A state playoffs after losing twice to Guntersville Friday.
Guntersville beat Priceville 9-7 in the opening game despite Hale’s four-hit outing for the Bulldogs. He homered and doubled twice.
Kyle Bunnell and Kody Etheridge each added a single.
Guntersville won the second game 11-4 to advance to the second round of the playoffs.
Starkey finished with two hits in the nightcap with a homer. Dalton Lorance finished with a double in the loss.