Oak Forest shuts out ACCS to sweep first round series

Published 11:07 am Monday, April 29, 2024

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AMITE, La. — Game two of the best-of-three MAIS Class 5A South State Playoffs series between Adams County Christian School and Oak Forest Academy last Friday afternoon was not nearly as close or dramatic as the opener between these two teams was last Tuesday at ACCS.

Oak Forest Academy pitcher Gunner Staten and the Yellow Jackets’ bats made sure of that as the District 3-5A champions and No. 1 seed took care of the District 4-5A No. 4 seed Rebels 10-0 in six innings to move on the Class 5A South State Semifinals.

The Yellow Jackets finished with 11 total base hits and took advantage of three ACCS errors as well as six walks committed by Rebels pitching. And those were two things Rebels head coach Jake Winston was hoping his team would have cut down on if they were to have any chance of defeating a good Oak Forest team.

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“Our walks were spread out enough to where they didn’t hurt us as bad, but the three errors were crucial to our momentum,” Winston said. “Hard to overcome those in playoff baseball. Their coaching staff was very complimentary of our team, saying how the game was a lot closer than what the score read and they’re right. It didn’t feel like a 10-0 game. We hung several zeroes (Friday) and I’m proud of our guys and their fight.

Despite their season come to an end and losing the series two games to none, Winston said he was pleased with how hard the Rebels played against one of the top teams in all of MAIS Class 5A.

“I thought we competed hard and made some big plays when needed. A big 5-4-3 and 6-4-3 double plays turned in big moments when we needed it and also defending the suicide squeeze came into play, in a big moment, but just wasn’t enough,” Winston said. “My hat’s off to our two seniors. Thankful for everything they have done for our program and I’m looking forward to next year with the returning guys.”

Staten held ACCS to just one base hit — a single by starting and losing pitcher Colton Rabb.

“Just couldn’t get anything going offensively. The senior lefty they threw at us was pretty good mixing his pitches up and locating all three pitches for strikes,” Winston said. “They’re a very well-rounded ball club and I wouldn’t be surprised if they are competing for a South State title with the depth they have.”

ACCS finished its season with an overall record of 6-19. Oak Forest Academy will take on a very familiar opponent in the Class 5A South State Semifinals this week in District 3-5A No. 3 seed Silliman Institute. The Wildcats upset District 4-5A No. 2 seed Copiah Academy two games to one in their first-round series after defeating the Colonels last Friday night on the road 6-3 in Game 3 after dropping Game 2 5-4 last Friday afternoon.