Staff Reports
GAYLESVILLE – Cole Hendon delivered four hits, two runs and three RBIs to lead the Gaylesville Trojans to the first Class 1A baseball playoff berth since 2019 in a 14-8 victory over visiting Jacksonville Christian on Thursday.
“I’m just really proud of how our guys have battled this season,” Trojan head coach Kolby Brannon said. “I told our coaches yesterday (Wednesday) after practice that I felt like this is the most locked in our team has been, Our pitching has carried our team this year, but tonight our guys stepped up at the plate.”
Collin Hendon had a pair of hits, a pair of runs and a RBI for the Trojans. Bradlee Smith and Hayden Dodd both went 2-for-3 with a pair of runs apiece. Karrson Ray contributed a hit, a walk, three runs and a RBI. Alex Baty doubled, walked and drove in two runs. Hunter Allmond added a hit, a walk, a run and two RBIs.
Jared Butts walked and scored a run. Chase Mohler also scored a run.
Allmond earned the win on the mound. He tossed six innings and gave up three earned runs on six hits with six walks and nine strikeouts. Dodd worked an inning and allowed three unearned runs on a pair of hits with no walks or strikeouts.
“This is bigger than our team and our coaches. It’s for the community, it’s for the school, and now we get a chance to play for an area championship next week,” Brannon said.
Following a non-area game at Gaston on Monday at 4:30 p.m., the Trojans battle Spring Garden for the Area 12 championship in a best-of-three game series on Tuesday and Thursday. Tuesday’s game is at 4 p.m. at Spring Garden.
