Red Bay secures playoff spot with win over Sulligent
By Bart Moss / For the FCT
The Red Bay Tigers secured a playoff spot with three area wins last week, including the clincher, a 4-1 win over the Sulligent Blue Devils.
Red Bay will travel to Section, in northeast Alabama, Friday to play a double-header. The Friday games will be at 5:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. A possible game three will be on Saturday, if needed.
“This is a huge accomplishment for us,” said Red Bay coach Richard Maggerise. “For us to be able to break through this year after many people not giving us a chance says a lot about our guys. My hat’s off to our seniors and the hard work they have put into this year to make us successful.”
One of those seniors Maggerise has been able to rely on is Hayden Murray.
“It’s an unbelievable experience for me,” said Murray. “I am just really happy to be a part of this team. Through the ups and downs, this team is always there for each other.
“It means so much that I’ve been able to contribute to the team and make my coaches and school proud. I believe we have accomplished more than what people thought, and we aren’t done yet.”
Murray allowed only one run from the mound for the Tigers in the playoff-clinching game Friday afternoon.
Red Bay scored two runs in the top of the third inning. The first run came on an RBI-single by Kolby Bragwell scoring Alex Burroughs. Skylar Brazil scored the Tigers’ second run on an RBI-single by Murray.
The Tigers extended their lead to 3-0 in the top of the fifth inning when Cade McKinney scored on a fielder’s choice.
The Blue Devils scored their lone run in the top of the fifth inning; Red Bay answered in the bottom of the inning when Brazil scored on a bases-loaded walk.
Red Bay 11, Lamar County 0
Kolby Bragwell pitched a no-hitter in an 11-0 shellacking of Lamar County last week. Bragwell only walked one batter, as well.
Bragwell also went 3-for-5 with two RBIs at the plate.
Kaleb Bragwell scored first for Red Bay on an error by the Lamar County pitcher in the top of the second inning.
The Tigers scored four runs in the top of the third inning. Murray and Chase Allen scored on another error by the Lamar County pitcher to make the score 4-0.
Kolby Bragwell scored on a bunt to the pitcher to give Red Bay a 5-0 lead.
Red Bay added a run in the top of the fourth when Brazil scored on a sacrifice fly.
Alex Burroughs scored on a double in the fifth to give the Tigers an 8-0 lead. Bullen and Alex Burroughs both scored on RBI-doubles by Brazil in the seventh to give Red Bay a 10-0 lead.
Brazil scored Red Bay’s final run on a sacrifice fly.
Lamar County 4, Red Bay 2
The Red Bay Tigers scored two runs in the top half of the first inning, but that would be all the offense they could muster up in a 4-2 area loss to Lamar County.
Brazil scored on a fielder’s choice, and Kolby Bragwell on a passed ball, to give Red Bat a 2-0 lead.
Lamar County scored three in the third and one in the fourth inning to get the win.
Red Bay managed only three hits in the game.
Red Bay 10, Lamar County 0
Murray tossed a two-hit shutout to give the Red Bay Tigers a 10-0 area win over the Lamar County Bulldogs.
Red Bay scored five runs in the fourth inning and five in the fifth inning. Luke Rooker, Bullen, Alex Burroughs and Brazil all knocked runners in during the fifth inning.
The game was scoreless through three and one-third innings, when Colbie King singled in Cade McKinney to give the Tigers a 1-0 lead. Red Bay added four more in the inning when Allen scored on a passed ball. Brazil doubled in three runners – Kolby Bragwell, King and Bullen – to give Red Bay a 5-0 lead.
In the fifth inning, Rooker singled in McKinney to make the score 6-0. Allen scored on a sacrifice fly to give the Tigers a 7-0 lead. Burroughs doubled in Bragwell and Rooker to put Red Bay up 9-0. Bullen came around to score on a single by Brazil to make the score 10-0.
Brazil led the way at the plate for Red Bay, going 3-for-4 with four RBIs.
