James Clemens twice rallied from one-run deficits to sweep Friday’s AHSAA Class 7A double-header, downing host Hoover 10-8 and 8-5 in advancing to next week’s semifinal round.

“We have been playing blue collar baseball,” said James Clemens coach Johnny Johnson. “Our guys keep pressure on the other team. We don’t have a bunch of Division stars, but we have a team of guys that care about each other,”

After the seventh-ranked Bucs (24-18) built a 4-3 lead in Game 1, the ninth-ranked Jets (32-10) scored six runs to take the lead for good.

Hoover raced to a another 4-3 lead in Game 2 behind home-runs by Will Adams and Andy Howard.

James Clemens scored two runs in the bottom of the fifth inning aided by a pair of Bucs errors to take a 5-4 lead and control of the game.

“Sometimes pressure gets to players at this level,” said Hoover coach Adam Moseley. “That is the nature of high school baseball. James Clemens just wanted it more than us tonight.”

Jaxson Wood led off the sixth with a walk and reached third base with one out when Jets pitcher Luke Davenport struck out consecutive Hoover hitters to end the threat.

Carson Loosier drove in a pair of runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to give the Jets some cushion at 8-5.

“Those runs were huge,” Johnson said.  “We knew Hoover would rally. They are a strong baseball team.”

Star of Game:  Pitcher Luke Davenport, who threw over 115 pitches, struck out seven Bucs in picking up the win. Reliever Cade McComb came in earn saves in both wins.

Coachspeak: “Our motto is Full Beneft. No matter you just keep doing. How cool would it be to have an all Madison County semifinal.

Next: The Jets will play the winner of Thompson and Bob Jones in Madison next week.