Phil Campbell goes undefeated in area play

By Bart Moss / For the FCT

The Phil Campbell Bobcats wrapped up an undefeated season in area play last week with a sweep of the Sulligent Blue Devils, 13-1 and 8-1.

The Bobcats will host Fyffe in the first round of the baseball playoffs Friday at 4 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.

If necessary, a third and deciding game will be played Saturday at 1 p.m.

This will be the sixth consecutive playoff appearance for the Bobcats.

“This has been a very good and successful season so far,” said Phil Campbell coach Jonathan Raper. “We had a lot of new players that have stepped up for us this year. The team chemistry has been good with the veterans and new players overall.

“I think pitching has been the strength of our team,” added Raper.  “However, we have been swinging the bats better lately.”

Senior Peyton Thomas said he wants his season to continue well into May.

“This gives us seniors another opportunity to pursue our goal of making a deep playoff run and compete against the best teams in the state,” said Thomas, who has hit 30 career home runs for the Bobcats. “We want to keep playing together for as long as possible as Bobcats.”

Phil Campbell 13, Sulligent 1

In game one of the series, Thomas dominated Sulligent, pitching hitting two home runs in back-to-back innings, sparking the 13-1 blowout win.

With the score 7-1, Thomas powered in five of the last six runs of the game for the Bobcats. He hit a two-run homer in the fourth inning, scoring Ridge Raper to give the Bobcats a 9-1 lead. Thomas hit his second home run, a three-run shot, in the fifth inning, scoring Raper and Daniel Smith, giving the Bobcats a 13-1 lead.

Thomas was also the winning pitcher, allowing three hits and one run over five innings and striking out 11 Sulligent batters.

Raper went 4-for-4 and scored four runs. Chase Hutchens and Mike Wrona both scored two runs in the game.

Cole Motes and Wrona both tripled for the Bobcats.

Joe Hardy, Brody Nix, Wrona and Motes all scored for the Bobcats.

Phil Campbell 8, Sulligent 1

The Phil Campbell Bobcats scored five runs in the sixth inning, leading to an 8-1 win over the Sulligent Blue Devils.

The inning was powered by doubles by Motes and Thomas and singles by Austen Baker and Hardy.

The Bobcats got their scoring started in the second inning when Motes walked, scoring Brandon Thomas.  Hardy scored on a sacrifice fly, giving the Bobcats a quick 2-0 lead.

Phil Campbell picked up another run in the third inning when Brett Saint scored on a single by Brandon Thomas, making the score 3-0.

In the sixth inning, Motes doubled, scoring Hardy, to make the score 4-1. Baker singled in Motes to give the Bobcats a 5-1 lead.  Peyton Thomas doubled in Daniel Smith to make the score 6-1.  Ridge Raper scored on an error, and Saint on a passed ball, to give the Bobcats the 8-1 win.

Peyton Thomas went 4-for-4 with an RBI. Austen Baker went 2-for-4 with two RBIs. Motes had two RBIs, and Hardy scored two runs.

Nate Owens got the complete game win, going seven innings, allowing five hits and one run and striking out five.