Baseball Splits Series Against Northwest Shoals
Decatur, AL / Muscle Shoals, AL — Calhoun baseball split a four-game ACCC series with Northwest Shoals this past week, taking the first two games at home before dropping the final two on the road. The Warhawks opened the series in Decatur on Thursday and closed it in Muscle Shoals on Friday.
Game 1 – Calhoun 10, Northwest Shoals 7 (7 innings)
Calhoun used a massive second inning to power past Northwest Shoals in the opener.
The Patriots struck first with three runs in the top of the first, but the Warhawks answered immediately with three of their own in the bottom half. Calhoun then broke the game open in the second inning, plating seven runs to take a 10-3 lead they would not relinquish.
Northwest Shoals chipped away with runs in the third, fifth, and sixth innings, but the early offensive surge proved too much to overcome.
Josh Burrell earned the win on the mound, while Jayson Smith Jr. led the offense with a 2-for-4 performance that included a double, a home run, and three RBI.
Game 2 – Calhoun 18, Northwest Shoals 10 (7 innings)
The Warhawks stayed hot at the plate in game two, outlasting Northwest Shoals in a high-scoring affair.
In a game that featured 30 total hits and 28 combined runs, Northwest Shoals held a 7-6 lead through four innings. Calhoun responded with an explosive fifth inning, scoring eight runs to take control at 15-7.
The Warhawks continued to add on, finishing with 18 runs, while holding the Patriots to three more runs the rest of the way.
Bryant Jones got the start on the mound, and the offense was fueled by the long ball. Jayson Smith Jr., Austin Williamson, and Jackson Firestone each hit home runs, combining for eight RBI in the win.
Game 3 – Northwest Shoals 10, Calhoun 0 (6 innings)
With the series shifting to Muscle Shoals, Calhoun was unable to carry over its offensive momentum.
The Warhawks were limited to five hits in the contest as Northwest Shoals controlled the game from start to finish to earn a run-rule victory.
Noah Alburquerque and Trent Wilson each recorded doubles for Calhoun.
Game 4 – Northwest Shoals 13, Calhoun 3 (6 innings)
Northwest Shoals completed the comeback in the series finale, again using early offense to secure a run-rule win.
Calhoun showed some improvement offensively, plating three runs, but could not keep pace with the Patriots' scoring output.
Jackson Firestone led the Warhawks at the plate, going 2-for-4 with a home run.
Head coach Cameron Chafetz reflected on the split following the series. "We did a really good job taking care of business at home and coming out with energy offensively," Chafetz said. "On the road, we just didn't have that same consistency, and against a good team, that's going to show. We've got to find a way to carry that approach with us no matter where we're playing."
Calhoun will return to action on Thursday, April 30, traveling to Tuscaloosa to open its final regular season series against Shelton State, with first pitch set for 2 p.m.