Briarwood runs away from Moody for area win

Published 2:39 pm Wednesday, April 4, 2018

By ALEC ETHEREDGE | Sports Editor

NORTH SHELBY – Thanks to seven first-inning runs, the Briarwood Lions continued a dominant stretch by picking up their 12th consecutive win in an 11-0 shutout of the Moody Blue Devils at Jay Kynerd Field on Tuesday, April 3.

As part of that 12-game win streak, the Lions have beaten highly touted 7A Oak Mountain twice and have now also won three consecutive area games to improve to 3-0 in area play.

Now at 18-3 overall and with three area games remaining, Briarwood will look to finish off the season with an area championship heading into the postseason.

Against the Blue Devils, the Lions came out like a team that had missed being on the field since their perfect 4-0 record at the Lake Martin Classic during spring break.

It led to a dominant first inning of play that saw the team bat through the order and post seven runs to take a commanding 7-0 lead at the end of one inning.

The inning started with three consecutive singles from Sam Hamner, Bryce Perien and Hudson Hartsfield. The latter of which from Hartsfield gave Briarwood its first run of the game when he drove Samner home.

After a walk to Carson Eddy loaded the bases again, Michael Hiers struck a hard-hit single to right field to drive in Perrien and Hartsfield.

That was followed by another walk before Wesley Helms grounded out to first base to drive in Eddy for the fourth run of the inning. After a strike out, Eli Steadman doubled to center field to score both Hiers and Parker Scott.

The final run of the inning came one batter later when Hamner picked up his second single of the inning, this time an RBI-single to center field to drive in Steadman for the 7-0 lead.

A few quiet innings followed, but Briarwood got back to its potent offensive ways in the bottom of the fourth with four more runs.

Hartsfield and Eddy led the inning off with a single and a walk, respectively, before Heirs picked up his third RBI with a double to right field to extend the Lions’ lead to 8-0.

Briarwood used three walks and a sacrifice fly the rest of the inning to drive in its final three runs of the game as they went on to win 11-0 in five innings due to the mercy rule.

Johnah Caroll kept the Blue Devils in check on the mound, as he picked up the complete game win allowing four hits and two walks while striking out five batters.

Hiers led the way at the plate going 3-for-3 with two doubles, three RBIs and two runs scored. Hamner went 2-for-2 with two RBIs and two walks. Hartsfield was 2-for-4 with two runs scored and one RBI. Helms and Steadman also added two RBIs apiece.

Briarwood will take on Moody again Thursday, April 5, looking to improve to 5-0 in area play.