Story by Cinthia Rico
North Jackson capped its postseason run with a 23-6 overall record, an East Central Regional title, and a Class 4A Area 14 title as the chief fell to Geneva in tournament play last week at Oxford’s Choccolocco Park.
North Jackson 2, Brooks 1
The Chiefs started Class 4A state tournament play by clinching a 2-1 victory over Brooks. Lambert led North Jackson on the mound striking out four, and surrendered one run on six hits over seven innings.
Steeley, Abernathy, Seale, and Garner each tallied a hit for North Jackson, while Garner and Seale plated runs.
Herndon took the loss for the Lions, allowing four hits and two runs while striking out 13 over six innings.
Geneva 11, North Jackson 6
On Thursday, May 19, North Jackson fell to Geneva 11-6 during the second game, after a fifth-inning rally from the Panthers.
The Chiefs’ Lambert struck out six and surrendered six hits and eight runs over four and two-thirds innings. Seale threw one and one-third in relief respectively.
North Jackson tallied ten hits, with Steeley, Lambert, and Hutchins firing two hits apiece. Lambert hit the lone homer of the game in the third inning. J Hutchins finished with two runs, while Hill, Lambert, Haynes and Steele added one apiece.
The game was tied at six at the fifth when Geneva pulled away with a double from Curry.
The loss landed North Jackson in the elimination bracket.
North Jackson 9, American Christian 1
The Chiefs opened up scoring early in the game when Lambert doubled on a 2-0 count, scoring a run and ultimately pulling away in the fifth with four runs for a 9-1 victory over American Christian.
Seale led North Jackson on the mound striking out five and walking one while allowing five hits and one run over seven innings.
J Hutchins and Lambert finished with two runs, Garner, Abernathy, Hill and Haynes with one apiece.
North Jackson 7, Dale County 1
On Friday, North Jackson captured an early lead with a strong offensive effort to defeat Dale County 7-1.
Lambert was credited with the victory on the mound, striking out two and walking one, while allowing three hits over five innings.
Whitmare took the loss for Dale County, allowing ten hits and seven runs over six innings while striking out three.
J Hutchins finished with two runs, while Garner, Lambert, Hill, Steeley, and Seale had one run apiece.
Geneva 8, North Jackson 3
Also on Friday, May 20, North Jackson fell 8-3 against Geneva in the elimination bracket ending their 2022 postseason.
On the pitcher’s mound, Lambert allowed five runs on six hits, striking out one and walking one on one and one=third innings. Seale threw for four and two-thirds innings respectively.
Garner led the Chiefs with three hits in three at-bats and Abernathy accounted for their third run.
