Jackson County Schools Hit the Diamonds
By: Shelia Mader
Jackson County’s five high school baseball programs returned from spring break with a full slate of action, and each team showed its ability to compete as the second half of the season gets underway. From offensive explosions to strong outings on the mound, it was a week that featured resilience, big innings, and standout individual performances across the county.
Cottondale Goes 2-0
Cottondale opened its week Tuesday on the road and came away with a hard-fought 13-11 win over Liberty County in a game packed with offense. Trace Pelfrey got the start and worked four innings, allowing five hits and five runs, only one earned, while striking out four. Jaydon Gray followed in relief for 2 1/3 innings, giving up two hits and six runs, only two of those earned, with four strikeouts, before Conner Barton closed things out. At the plate, Gray delivered the biggest swing of the night with a grand slam and finished with five RBIs. Barton added three RBIs on two hits and two walks, while Jaeden Kay collected two hits and drove in two runs. Lane Johnson also drove in a pair, Carson Malloy added two hits and an RBI, and Pelfrey, Tyler Jones, and Alex Bellamy each chipped in hits. Cottondale followed that up with a 10-2 win at Holmes County behind a dominant complete-game performance from Lane Johnson, who allowed just three hits and two runs—one earned—while striking out 10 and walking none. Offensively, Pelfrey led the way with three hits and four RBIs, Bellamy added three hits and an RBI, and Tyler Jones recorded two hits and an RBI. Dakota Bird drove in two runs, Jaeden Kay had two hits, and Barton, Johnson, and Gray each contributed a hit.
Graceville Goes 0-2, Despite Offensive Showing
Graceville spent the week on the road and in a high-scoring home matchup, first falling 9-6 at Emmanuel Christian. Cameron Baxter started and went three innings, allowing four runs, one earned, while striking out three. Marquez Smith provided solid relief with four strikeouts over two innings, and Parker Brown closed the game. Offensively, Skyler Deon led Graceville with two hits and an RBI, while Robbey Sousa added a hit and RBI and Baxter drove in a run. Jaxson Burrell and Brown each recorded a hit as Graceville plated runs in each of the first three innings. The Tigers then returned home but came up short in an 18-13 loss to Ponce De Leon in a game highlighted by a late offensive surge. Graceville erupted for eight runs in the fifth inning and added four more in the sixth but couldn’t overcome an early deficit. Brown started on the mound, followed by Ansen Lucien and Baxter in relief. At the plate, Lucien and Brown each collected three hits and an RBI, while Deon drove in three runs on two hits. Baxter and Sousa each added two hits and two RBIs, Aiden Pelham recorded two hits, and Allen Cotton added a hit and RBI.
Malone Struggled, 0-2 on the Week
Malone faced a tough stretch with two losses on the week, beginning with a 15-5 defeat at Altha. Kris Smith started and struck out three over two innings, while Trenton Jordan, Ben Proctor, and Byron Dickens Jr. also saw time on the mound. Offensively, Kobe Johnson recorded a hit and RBI, and Smith, Cristian Morales, and TJ Rich each added a hit. Malone then returned home but fell 12-2 to Vernon. Dickens worked 4 1/3 innings, allowing just three hits, while Morales pitched in relief. At the plate, Smith had a hit and RBI, and Morales and Proctor each recorded a hit.
Marianna Splits 1-1 on the Week
Marianna split its two games on the week, opening with a 7-2 loss on the road to Florida State High. Jaden White pitched two innings, allowing four runs, none earned, while Cooper Castleberry followed with four innings of work. Offensively, Riley Adkison led the Bulldogs with three hits, while Cody Byrd had two hits and an RBI and Bryce Mitchell added two hits. Beau Swearingen also recorded a hit.
Marianna bounced back with a dominant 10-0 win over Leon, highlighted by a strong performance on the mound from Swearingen, who threw a five-inning one-hit shutout with three strikeouts in the mercy-rule victory. At the plate, Brody Dykes drove in three runs on two hits, Landon Attaway added two hits, and Jordan Broxton had a hit and RBI. Adkison and Aiden Smith each recorded a hit, while Byrd drew three walks and White added two.
Sneads Outscores Opponents 28-3
Sneads turned in one of the most explosive performances of the week, rolling to a 35-3 win over Gadsden County. The Pirates took advantage of 18 walks and got a strong start from Alex Gaines, who allowed no hits and just one unearned run over two innings while striking out five. Khalil Garrett added a hitless inning in relief. Offensively, Hoke Harkrider and John Loftus each had a hit and two RBIs, while Cole Shelton and Griffin Pickron each drove in a run. Connor McSpaddin, Garrett, Bly Sprague, Creed Whitworth, Traivon Danzey, JJ Harrell, and Noah McCormick all contributed RBIs in the rout. Sneads followed that with an 8-2 win over Tellico Plains, jumping out early and maintaining control throughout. Creed Whitworth started and allowed one run over three innings, Dylan Chester struck out five over two innings in relief, and Pickron closed with two hitless innings. At the plate, Danzey led the way with three hits, Loftus added two, and Harkrider drove in two runs. Chase Ragans, Garrett, Pickron, and Whitworth each added a hit.
