Northridge baseball forfeits game in AHSAA semifinal for rules violation
After originally winning, Northridge baseball forfeited a game in its semifinal vs Spain Park over an AHSAA rules violation. Here's what happened.
HOOVER — Northridge baseball forfeited a win in its playoff series with Spain Park after a pitch-count rule violation. The violation came in the bottom of the seventh inning with the bases loaded and one out. Spain Park’s count had Northridge pitcher Evan Malone at 120 pitches following a sacrifice fly to tie the game, while Northridge had him at 119 and able to start the next batter.
Malone forced the third out to send the game to extra innings. Northridge won 5-4, with Spain Park finishing the game under protest. After the game Spain Park, filed an appeal to the AHSAA.
The ruling came before the second game, which was being played Friday night, according to Northridge principal Jessica Williams. What is the AHSAA pitch count rule? For juniors and seniors like Malone, the most one can throw in a day is 120 pitches.
But as an exception, a pitcher can finish an at-bat if he crosses the milestone to complete that at-bat. If a team violates the rule, the game is forfeited and assessed a fine of $250. Maxwell Donaldson covers high school sports, Jax State athletics, the outdoors in Alabama and more for the Gadsden Times and USA TODAY Network.