Malone routs Blountstown

The Malone O-Zone All-Stars took a 10-4 win over Blountstown Saturday to earn a Monday matchup with county rival Grand Ridge.

Malone got a strong pitching performance from Jackson Redding, who went six innings, struck out nine and walked just one to earn the win.

“It was a total team effort,” Malone coach Holt Floyd said Saturday. “Everybody contributed. I’m really proud of the way the guys played.”

The offense was out in full force for Malone Saturday, but it was the pitching of Redding and the defense played behind him that made it an easy win.

“From a pitching standpoint, I couldn’t ask for a more complete game out of Jackson,” Floyd said. “And defensively, we made some great plays in the infield and the outfield.

“Offensively, we hit the ball solid and made some real good swings. I’m really proud of the way the guys went to the plate and really worked the pitchers in the heat. Next up is Grand Ridge, who Malone defeated twice last year on its way to the state tournament.

The two teams haven’t faced each other this season, but Floyd said that it’s a game both teams are surely excited about.

“Over the last couple of years, we’ve usually met in the finals of the district,” the coach said. “I’m really looking forward to how the guys have progressed since last year.

“These kids have played together for the last four or five years and have really progressed.”

The game will be played Monday at 7 p.m., and the teams will play again Tuesday regardless of the outcome of Monday’s game.