First time since 2021 to reach quarters
The Jena Giants, ranked #7, earned a first-round bye in the Division III Non-Select state baseball playoffs and this past weekend, the Giants started their playoff run with a second round series at home against the #10 Doyle Tigers. It would be a three-game series with the winner having to win two games to advance to the quarterfinal round.
The last time the Giants made it to the quarterfinal round was in 2021 when they defeated Berwick in the second round of the playoffs. The Giants would lose to Sterlington 2 games to 1 in the quarterfinals that season. Since then, the Giants have made it to the second round of the playoffs but each of the past three seasons the Giants have had to play the series on the road and have lost the series 2-0. So, the Giants haven’t won a second-round game since the 2021 season. That is every season in this year’s senior class that they have lost in the second round. This time though, the Giants would be at home as they were the higher seed at #7 and Doyle came in as #10.
In Game 1 held Friday night, April 25, the Giants would jump out to a 2-0 lead early after a sacrifice fly by Jacob Belcher and an RBI single by Carson Willis. Doyle would come back to score 3 runs in the 5th inning to take a 3-2 lead. The Jena bats could not get another run across, and Doyle would win game one 3-2. Collin Jensen pitched a great game for Jena pitching 7 innings giving up 3 runs on 6 hits and finishing with 1 strikeout. Zoyle Gemar was 2-3 at the plate to lead the Giants hitters.
The two teams would come back on Saturday morning to play Game 2. In this game, both teams would be unable to score in the first three innings. However, in the top of the 4th inning, junior catcher Carson Willis would hit a double off the wall to put himself in scoring position. Later in the inning Willis would come in to score to give Jena a 1-0 lead.
In the 5th inning, senior right fielder Isaiah Todd would hit a long fly ball to left field for a single. From this point on Doyle would seemingly fall apart as they would commit errors on the next three at bats and Jena would score 5 runs in the inning to increase their lead to 6-0.
Doyle would come back to score 2 runs in the 6th inning and 1 run in the 7th inning but that would be it as Jena would pick up the 6-3 win to force a winner take all Game 3. Jonas Jenkins and Carson Willis both had doubles in the game for the Giants. Calex Campbell came in to relieve starter Carson Willis in the 2nd inning and picked up the win. Campbell pitched 5.2 innings giving up 3 runs on 4 hits and finishing with 4 strikeouts.
The two teams would take about an hour break and would return later that afternoon to play Game 3. The Giants would start senior Jacob Belcher on the mound. Belcher would deliver an excellent performance, pitching all 7 innings, only giving up 1 run on 2 hits and finishing with 8 strikeouts. At one point Belcher retired 11 straight hitters. The problem though, was Doyle got an excellent pitching performance as well and had a 1-0 lead going into the bottom of the 6th inning. The Giants would load the bases with one out and then Jacob Belcher would hit a sacrifice fly to left field that would allow Jonas Jenkins to score the tying run. Then Doyle would intentionally walk Collin Jensen to load the bases. Isaiah Todd would be disciplined at the plate earning a walk that would score Zoyle Gemar as the go ahead run.
The Giants would go on to win 2-1 to advance to the quarterfinal round. Jonas Jenkins was 2-3 for the Giants at the plate. With the win the Giants will move on to play at #2 Erath in another Best of 3 Game Series this weekend in Erath. Game 1 will be Friday, May 2, at 6:00 p.m. Game 2 will be Saturday at noon. Game 3, if necessary, will be Saturday at 3:00 p.m.
Congratulations to Head Coach Clay Mc-Guffee and his coaching staff. To have their team fight back after losing Game 1 was impressive to watch as the resiliency of the team was on full display.
Also, congratulations to the senior class for keeping their heads up after losing Game 1 and deciding that this year would be different. To come back and win two games like that was impressive and something this whole team should be proud of. Everyone plan on making the trip to Erath this weekend to cheer on the Giants as they look to advance to Sulphur for the state tournament where the semifinal round will be played.
Remember, you can hear the Jena Giants playoff games on 102.7 KJNAFM. If you are not in the listening area, then you can download the MIXLR app and search for KJNAFM or go online at www.kjnafm.mixlr. com.
