Gardendale Dominates Minor with 33 Runs in 6A Playoff Sweep
GARDENDALE, AL – The Gardendale Rockets made a strong statement in the first round of the AHSAA Class 6A baseball playoffs on Thursday, delivering a doubleheader sweep over Minor with a combined 33 runs. Both games ended early due to the 10-run mercy rule, as the Rockets cruised to 14-0 and 19-0 victories.
The Rockets (22-8) tallied an impressive 21 hits across both games against their Jefferson County rivals. Pitcher Parker Robinson was dominant on the mound in Game 1, facing just 16 batters, one over the minimum. An error in the third inning gave Minor (5-20) its lone base runner, breaking up a perfect game. Robinson recorded 6 strikeouts in the shutout win.
Offensively, Auburn signee Caiden Combs led Gardendale’s bats, driving in 4 runs during an explosive second inning where the Rockets sent 15 batters to the plate. Combs’ contributions included a bases-loaded hit-by-pitch and a 3-run triple. Lucas Ford added 2 singles, 3 RBIs, and scored twice, while Cam Roberts chipped in with a triple. Adam Yazel doubled and drove in 3 runs, and Cody Florence crossed the plate 3 times.
Head Coach Ryan Keedy’s Rockets carried their momentum into Game 2, putting up 8 runs in the first inning. Jackson Firestone led the charge with a 2-run double, followed by another RBI double and a sacrifice fly that totaled 4 RBIs. Carter Jenkins shined with a standout performance, driving in 5 runs with a 2-run double and two singles. He finished the day with 6 RBIs.
Florence added a triple and an RBI, with Yazel and Carson Burdette contributing doubles. Starter Austin Webb struck out 6 batters over 3 innings, allowing just 1 walk. Combs pitched an inning, giving up the only Minor hit of the series, a double by Elijah Fuller, before Braden Chapple closed the game by striking out the side.
With the sweep, Gardendale advances to face the Fort Payne Wildcats (19-10) in the second round of the Class 6A playoffs. Fort Payne earned their spot after defeating Muscle Shoals in a first-round sweep.
