Malone defeats Marianna in elimination game

Malone’s Jackson Reddish pitched a complete game shutout on Sunday, striking out nine and giving up only four hits and two walks to lead Malone past Marianna 7-0.

“Jackson is one of those special players who is able to perform in almost any situation,” Malone coach Holt Floyd said. “Starting Jackson was a game time decision, and he did a great job mixing up his pitches to keep the Marianna offense off balance all day. Marianna has a real young team but several of them play travel ball and can really hit the ball hard.”

Reddish’s family relocated to Starke the day after the district finals and he had not been able to practice with the team leading up to the state tournament.

Reddish threw 97 total pitches in temperatures in the mid to high 90’s on Sunday, to help Malone advance to the next round against their county rivals from Grand Ridge.

The Marianna All-Stars used three pitchers on the day and kept the game close, until Antwain “Ta Ta” Johnson hit his second homer of the tournament to score three and give Malone a 6-run lead.

Malone added another run in the fifth inning to make the score 7-0. Marianna was able to get two runners in scoring position in the top of the sixth, but was unable score as Scott Stephens tracked down a fly ball in center field for the final out.

Malone was led offensively by Johnson and Harrison Floyd, who were both 3-for-3 for the day. Malone also got hits from Jackson Reddish, Cody Henson, Tyler Henry and Takoda Shaw.

Malone will face Grand Ridge for the fifth time since the district tournament started, in an elimination game Monday at 4 p.m.

Grand Ridge defeated West Volusia 5-4 on Sunday to advance. Malone will send Antwain Johnson to the mound; Chris Green is expected to be on the mound for Grand Ridge.

Results of Monday night’s game were not available at press time.