Archives
 By  Staff Reports Published 
6:58 pm Wednesday, April 11, 2001

Clarkdale squeaks by Seminary

By By Fredie Carmichael/Special to The Star
April 11, 2001
Momentum is something that can win or lose ball games. But as was the case this Tuesday night at Clarkdale, it's how a team responds to that momentum that can sometimes make the biggest difference.
Clarkdale (21-5) moved to 9-2 in division 7-2A as it answered every Seminary charge and put away the visiting Bulldogs 13-10. Roland Gatlin's crew had to respond to two four-run innings by Seminary in order to survive.
Leading 10-6 heading into the top of the sixth inning, CHS ace Chris Moffett was looking to put the finishing touches on Seminary. After walking the first two Seminary batters of the inning, Moffett promptly whiffed his seventh batter of the night to get the first out of the inning. That's when things began to crumble for the Bulldogs.
Seminary scored two runs on an error and a third when Moffett's third strike pitch to Timothy Lett got away from Clarkdale catcher-Thomas Walters- which allowed another SHS to get on the board, making it 10-9.
After throwing120 pitches on the night, Moffett left the mound as Matt Minchew came on in relief to finish out the inning. With the bases already loaded, Minchew walked in the game-tying run. The CHS senior gutted it up though and struck out Denton Knight to get out of the jam and the inning with the game knotted at 10 apiece.
As they had done all night, Clarkdale once again answered the call. Brandon Mabry led off the bottom of the sixth with a roped double down the left field line and the Bulldogs had the go-ahead run in scoring position. Minchew then stepped to the plate and laid down a perfect bunt that advanced Mabry to third.
Moffett got behind in the count with two quick strikes before stroking a clutch single to left that gave CHS the go-ahead run. Junior Bulldog Jefferey Stokes put the nail in the coffin as he murdered a two-run shot over the right field wall to make it 13-10 Clarkdale.
Minchew made sure that Seminary wasn't able to make another charge as he struck out the side to preserve the victory. "It felt good to come and finish the game out after getting off to a shaky start," Minchew said following the game. "I settled down and started throwing the ball a little harder there towards the end."
Clarkdale had to endure an early 4-0 deficit as Seminary's Denton Knight ripped a 3-run homer in the top of the first that got the visitors started. CHS used three hits and six walks that plated 7 Bulldogs to answer in the bottom of the first inning as they took the 7-4 lead.
Mabry led the way for Clarkdale with a double and a single while Michew chipped in with two singles and picked up the win on the mound.

Also on Franklin County Times
Thorpe to play at Blue Mountain Christian
High School Sports, News, Russellville, ...
Brannon King For the FCT 
July 16, 2025
RUSSELLVILLE – Brennon Thorpe made his plans official to attend Blue Mountain Christian University and play baseball for the Toppers during a recent s...
Russellville High Class of 1967 gathers, reminisces
Columnists, News, Opinion, ...
HERE AND NOW
July 16, 2025
You can’t really go back to the good old days of high school, but you can pay them a visit now and then. That’s exactly what the RHS Class of 1967 has...
Former Cypress Lakes official to lead Guntersville State Park
Lifestyles, News
Bernie Delinski For the FCT 
July 16, 2025
GUNTERSVILLE — Heath Puckett had an Auburn University degree and golf course superintendent certification in his pocket when he arrived at Cypress Lak...
European travel builds bonds across cultures
Lifestyles, News, Russellville, ...
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
July 16, 2025
RUSSELLVILLE -- A group of Franklin County travelers spent nine days this summer walking through catacombs, exploring castles and standing in places w...
Little Free Library welcomes readers in East Franklin
Lifestyles, News, Phil Campbell
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
July 16, 2025
PHIL CAMPBELL — Eleven-year-old Aiden Hall is an avid reader, but he doesn’t just want to read books. He also wants to share them, and the way he deci...
King becomes elementary curriculum director
Lifestyles, Russellville
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
July 16, 2025
RUSSELVILLE — Molly King says every child can learn, though not necessarily in the same way or on the same day — a belief she plans to carry into her ...
New Junior Leaders begin their training
Franklin County, News
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
July 16, 2025
FRANKLIN COUNTY — Forty-two high school students from across Franklin County are beginning 10 months of hands-on leadership training and community ser...
Fire destroys 2-story garage, guest suite
Main, News, Russellville, ...
Kevin Taylor For the FCT 
July 16, 2025
R U S S E L LV I L L E – Jason Gist leaned against the wall of his home with a look of disgust while dozens of firefighters worked to extinguish a fir...

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Latest Stories
July 4, 2025Augusto Simon Diaz, 42, of Russellville, passed away July 4. Visitation and funeral were held at Spry Memorial Chapel on July 12 from 2pm ...
July 16, 2025
July 8, 2025Jamie Kerby Cummings, 41, of Russellville, passed away on July 8. Visitation took place July 13, at Spry Memorial Chapel from 1 pm to 3pm....
July 16, 2025
July 11,2025Julie “JuJu” Welch Black, 63, of Russellville, passed away on July 11.Graveside service was held at 1pm on July 13, at Belgreen Cemetery w...
July 16, 2025
July 9, 2025Scott Noel Benford, age 58, of Muscle Shoals, passed away on July 9. Visitation was held at Pinkard Funeral Home in Russellville on July 1...
July 16, 2025