FAYETTEVILLE, Ala. — The magical postseason run for the Fayetteville Wolves continued Wednesday, May 20, as Fayetteville rolled past Hubbertville 14-4 in six innings in Game 1 of the Class 1A State Championship Series at Chocolocco Park. The game, heard on MIX106.5 and The Fayetteville Sports Network, featured explosive offense and another dominant performance from the Wolves.
Senior Ethan Jones, a Lawson State commit, delivered another standout playoff showing on the mound and at the plate. Jones tossed a complete six inning game, allowing just three hits and two earned runs while striking out seven batters. He also added a big home run over the center field fence to help fuel the Fayetteville offense.
After the win, Jones reflected on what the moment means to him and his teammates.
“First off, it’s always been a childhood dream of mine to play in this game and just to be blessed to be able to play in it with my best friends means the world to me,” Jones said. “All I’ve been trying to do this postseason is provide when my team needs me the most. I want to be able to make my teammates, coaches, family, and community proud.”
Hubbertville struck first with two runs in the top of the first inning, but Fayetteville answered immediately in the bottom half. Junior Blake McDaniel ripped a three RBI double to put the Wolves in front for good. From there, Fayetteville’s offense stayed hot, piling up hits and runs over the next five innings.
Head coach Matt Collier said the early challenge from Hubbertville helped sharpen his team’s focus.
“Hubbertville scored two in the first inning and we knew they were here to play,” Collier said. “They’re a good team and I feel like them coming out aggressive opened the eyes of our guys to bring it too. I’m proud of our guys for responding because that’s what competition is about. We both have good teams and that’s one great thing about playing in the state championship.”
The Wolves finished with 14 hits in Game 1, with eight of the nine starters recording at least one hit. McDaniel and Connor Crumpton each collected three hits and combined for nine RBIs. Brenton Cantrell and Jones each added two hits in the win.
Collier also praised the support Fayetteville has received throughout the playoff run.
“I can’t tell you how special this all is because of the people that show up and listen to all of the games,” Collier said. “All of us appreciate it, especially the players. Having people cheer them on motivates them and it is special to watch and be a part of.”
Despite being one win away from a state title, Collier said the Wolves know the job is far from finished.
“Our job is not finished and our motto is ‘1 More,’” Collier said. “Hubbertville will be ready to play and we have to be ready to play as well.”
Fayetteville now sits one win away from claiming its first state championship since 1987. Game 2 is scheduled for 4:00 p.m. Thursday at Jacksonville State University, with Game 3 immediately following if necessary. Fans can listen live on MIX106.5 with Jacob Bassett and David McCurley on the call.
