On a perfect Friday afternoon at John Howerton Field, Lincoln Christian wanted a little payback.

And thanks to some clutch plays from several Lincoln stars, that's exactly what the Bulldogs got.

Lincoln came from behind late and won in extra innings on Friday, beating Jones 7-6 in a thrilling game.

The Bulldogs fell to Jones last year in the Class 3A Super Regionals Tournament, as the Longhorns went to state and Lincoln went home.

So 10 months later, both teams were familiar with each other and knew what was at stake, as did the crowd in what was a great atmosphere for baseball.

"It was the biggest non-district regular season game we've had since I've been here," said Lincoln head coach Greg Harmon. "It was a revenge game after last year's loss. Our stands were full and it was a great atmosphere."

Lincoln (6-0) jumped out to an early 5-0 lead with a big five-run second inning, but Jones (5-2) responded, taking a 6-5 lead in the top of the 6th. 

"Jones came in with similar record," said Harmon. "They had handled in-district easily and beat enOCS in extras. Their only loss was to Piedmont, who is a 5A state tournament team. So we knew they would be a high-quality opponent."

With Lincoln down 6-5 in the bottom of the 6th, a trio of seniors stepped up to help tie the game.

Cole Dooley walked with one out before Chandler Cozbey laid down a bunt to move Dooley to 2nd base.

On the next pitch, Carter Ricke ripped a single to left, as Dooley raced home to knot the game at 6-6.

"We showed some grit and ability to battle with our backs against the wall," said Harmon. "Cole did a great job getting on base and getting into scoring position and then Carter delivered with a 2-out RBI to tie the game."

After six strong innings from Carter Hunter, Harmon looked to sophomore Aiden Hendren to step up in the 7th.

And that he did.

Hendren quickly allowed the first two hitters on, but then got a 1-pitch out, followed by two strikeouts to thwart the Longhorn rally.

The teams both went 3-up, 3-down before Lincoln threatened in the 8th but was unable to score.

Hendren found himself in another jam in the top of the 9th, as he allowed two singles to start the inning and Jones had runners on the corners with no outs.

But Hendren was helped out by his fellow basketball teammate making his season debut.

Hendren induced a flyout to centerfielder Chandler Cozbey, where the outfielder made the catch and delivered a perfect throw to home plate, where sophomore catcher Jaxon Crumbliss appleid the tag for the double play, preserving the tie game.

"Chandler made perfect throw from center field to Jaxon at home plate," said Harmon. "It was a momentum-shifting double play."

Hendren got a fly out on the next pitch to give Lincoln another opportunity at the plate.

"I thought Aiden was great in relief for us," said Harmon. "He worked out of some tough situations in the 7th and the 9th. He was able to strikeout some guys at the perfect time and get some timely pop-ups."

Hendren wasn't quite done yet, however.

After Silas Goff walked with one out in the bottom of the 9th, it was Hendren's turn to impact the game with his bat.

The sophomore drilled a fly ball to left that carried over the Longhorn outfielder's head, allowing Goff to race around the bases and walk it off.

"It was a great job by Goff to work a walk and get on and then Aiden just came through big time for us and won the game," said Harmon.

Hunter allowed five earned in his six innings, striking out six hitters. He allowed just five hits and walked two against a good Jones lineup.

"He was dominant early for us," said Harmon. "He has a great three-pitch arsenal and held them at bay until we had some miscues and they took advantage."

"He's the type of guy that wants the ball in big games and is hard to take out because he is so competitive. He gives us a great chance to win every time he takes the mound."

Dooley opened the game with an RBI single in the 2nd, scoring Beaux Brumble who singled two hitters prior.

Cozbey walked to load the bases and Ricke was hit by a pitch shortly after to make it 2-0.

Freshman Major Brooks walked after Ricke was hit to make it 3-0, before senior Lane Hunter singled to left, scoring Ricke and Cozbey to stretch the lead to five.

Hendren pitched three shutout innings in relief, allowing three hits and walking none while striking out two.

He was 2-of-5 at the plate. Hunter was 1-of-5 with the two RBIs.

Ricke was 1-of-3 with two RBIs, while Brooks, Goff and Cozbey also singled in the win.

The Bulldogs took their first loss of the season on Saturday afternoon at Bixby, falling 11-5.

However, Harmon and his group are off to Gulf Shores, AL for a week full of spring break baseball.

And with some tough, close, impressive wins early, the head coach likes where his squad is at and what they have done.

"These wins in close games are helping us build confidence," said Harmon. "Our team has already shown we are not afraid of pressure situations, which is very important come postseason time."

Now with his basketball contributors back (Cozbey, Hendren, Dooley), Harmon finally feels at full strength, which he believes is enough to do something special.

"Our basketball guys are all contributing immediately and it's great to see," he said. "When we get a full team effort, it can show what we are possible of and I think we have what it takes to get to the state tournament."

For now, they will take the big early-season win over Jones and the hot start to the season, with the big trip ahead, district play upon return and another big matchup with Jones later in the season.

"We will have a rematch with Jones later in season at their place, which will be fun," Harmon said. "But right now, we are focused on heading into spring break and our Gulf Shores trip with positive momentum."

Lincoln will open play in Alabama on Monday night at 7 p.m. when the Bulldogs face Beggs.

The Bulldogs will take on Muskogee on Tuesday at 9 a.m. and Byng on Wednesday at 9 a.m. Lincoln's final game of the week will come Wednesday at 11:30 a.m. vs. Pickens Academy (AL).

The Bulldogs will be back in action at home vs. Cascia Hall on Monday, March 23 at 4:30 p.m.



Photos by Lee Talley