By Bobby Mathews, Sports Editor
HAYDEN — The Green Wave is headed to the third round of the 5A playoffs thanks to two straight wins against Hayden. Leeds, now 28-10 on the season, has won four straight playoff games. The Green Wave crushed Ardmore in the first round, winning 13-2 and 17-0 in games shortened by the 10-run rule.
Friday’s games against Hayden would prove much more difficult, as Leeds won 4-2 in the first game and 2-1 in the second. Here’s what happened:
Game 1: Leeds 4, Hayden 2
The Green Wave scored three runs in the top of the sixth to come from behind and take a 4-2 lead, preserving the win with a scoreless seventh inning.
In the pivotal sixth, Alex Bradford singled on a line drive to right field to start things off for Leeds, and then Peyton Moore reached on an error as he bunted Bradford over to second. Coach Jake Wingo sensed a weakness, and used Conner Nelson to single on a bunt to load the bases. Caden Vance — who was 3-for-4 on the day — stroked a line drive to center field, scoring Bradford and tying the game 2-2.
With the bases loaded, Jarod Latta took a walk on six pitches, advancing Moore across the plate for the go-ahead run. Seth Pardue then reached on an error and scored Jonathan Douglas who was in as a courtesy runner for Nelson. That made it 4-2, and Andrew Howard kept Hayden scoreless the rest of the way.
Howard got the complete game victory, going all seven innings, allowing two runs on two hits, walking six and striking out seven.
Game 2: Leeds 2, Hayden 1
Jarod Latta struck out 13 batters over the course of seven innings, and Alex Bradford plated the go-ahead run in the fifth inning with an RBI single as Leeds closed out Hayden 2-1.
Conner Nelson went 2-for-2 with an RBI and a walk to lead the Green Wave offensively.
Latta allowed one run on three hits, also walking four.