Ahead of the curve

By Staff
Russellville 11-12 All-Stars capture district title
Kim West
SHEFFIELD – Righthanders Aaron Jackson and Landon Oliver combined for a one-hitter as the Russellville 11-12 All-Stars defeated Phil Campbell 6-0 to repeat as the District 6 tournament champions at Sheffield Youth Park Wednesday night.
Russellville, which outscored its opponents 23-2 in three games, took control early with two unearned runs in a four-run first inning.
Trevor Malone and Aaron Jackson each singled and Landon Oliver brought home Malone on an RBI single to right field. Jackson and Oliver each scored on errors, while Cainen Fleming hit an RBI ground-rule double to score Luke Harris and put Russellville ahead 4-0 in the bottom of the first.
Jackson retired the side in the top of the second with three straight strikeouts, and Russellville added two more runs in the bottom half of the inning.
Tyler Childers, who led off with an infield single and advanced to third on a throwing error, scored on an RBI groundout by Aaron Fisher, while Jackson singled to right field and scored on a passed ball to put Russellville ahead 6-0 after two innings.
Phil Campbell, which stranded eight runners, loaded the bases in the fifth inning. Allen Bohannon reached on a fielder's choice, Brian Edgar's fly ball was dropped and Ryan Scott drew a walk. But Oliver, who came on in relief, got the next batter to ground out to second baseman Trevor Malone to end the inning.
Phil Campbell put a runner in scoring position with one out in the top of the sixth as Colton Baker, who had the only hit against Russellville in a 6-1 loss Monday, doubled to the right side of left field but Oliver forced the next batter to ground out to first baseman Luke Harris, who tagged first and threw Baker out at third to end the game.
Jackson, who pitched an 11-1 victory over Sheffield in the tournament opener Saturday, rang up 11 strikeouts with four walks and didn't allow a hit in 4 2/3 innings. Oliver pitched the final 1 1/3 innings to earn the save.
Colton Vickery took the loss for Phil Campbell despite allowing only three earned runs on six hits with three strikeouts and two walks in 4 2/3 innings. Baker pitched the final 1/3 inning with one strikeout.
Jackson went 2-for-3 with two runs, while Oliver, Malone and Childers each singled and Cainen Fleming had a double.
Russellville will play in the state tournament Sunday, July 20 at 7:30 p.m. at Sheffield Youth Park.