Michael Winn prepares to make the final out against Trinity on a throw home from Ethan Beard.
Photo courtesy of Tim Gayle and the Montgomery Independent.
Saint James completed its third win in three days to clinch the Jason Armstrong Memorial Tournament title in dramatic fashion. The first inning was very shaky for both teams. Grayson Ashe and William Roberson each led off the game for the Wildcats with walks and Walton Cherry followed up with a single. Ashe scored on an unsuccessful fielders choice, and Roberson scored on a double play to give Trinity a 2 - 0 lead. Saint James quickly responded with two runs of their own. Starting Wildcat pitcher Preston Berry hit each of the first three batters he faced. The runs scored on an error and a single by Tyson Eley to tie the game. Saint James would take the lead for good in the bottom of the third as Zac Russell was again hit by a pitch, advanced on a poor pick off attempt, and scored on a K.J. Jackson single. Jackson led the way offensively by driving in four of the five Trojan runs. He would drive in two more in the bottom of the fourth to give Saint James a 5 - 2 lead they would hold until the top of the seventh. It took three excellent defensive plays for the Trojans to maintain their lead. Jackson started off the inning with a great over the shoulder catch running into right field behind first base. After a Grayson Ashe single, left fielder Kevin Taylor robbed William Roberson of a likely double with a diving catch near the foul line. Walton Cherry then singled and they were both doubled home by Ben Easterling to cut the lead to one. Coleman Ellis then hit a slow grounder to Ethan Beard at second who could not make a play at first. Easterling gambled on trying to score from second but was thrown out on a close play at the plate by a Michael Winn tag to seal the narrow but thrilling victory, which also gave Saint James a season victory against the Wildcats. Carson Howard pitched his first complete game of the season as the Trojans, who started 2 - 5 entering the tournament improved to 5 - 6 looking forward to the beginning of area play.