Alcovy’s Jake Jones threw a no-hitter to lead Alcovy to a region win over crosstown rival Newton Tuesday, pushing the Tigers into first place in Region 2-AAAAAA.

Alcovy won 6-0. The win improves them to (8-1) in region play and first in Region 2-AAAAAA.

Jones pitched a one-two-three first inning to set the tone for the rest of the contest, striking out two of the Rams’ first three batters.

Alcovy’s offense came to play as well getting seven hits in the game. They had a huge first inning scoring 5 runs. Josh Buddington got the first base hit of the game. Alcovy got it first run off of a bases-loaded walk by Newton pitcher Kenneth Glover.

Alcovy’s Nathan Purcell brought in the second run for Alcovy on an infield single. Nanpon Ross followed with a double scoring two more runs for Alcovy. Lastly, Austin Richardson laid down a bunt to score another run in the first inning. That would be all the damage done in the first inning.

“I think we could have done a better job hitting the ball,” Alcovy’s coach Casey Bates said. “We made contact but we just weren’t hitting it hard.”

Jones would go one to steal the rest of the show, dealing throughout the game. His curve ball was deadly; Newton couldn’t but a bat on it.

“I thought I was pretty good, but I walked a couple batters,” Jones said. “My curveball is what’s helping me.”

Jones going into the last inning with both teams knowing that a no-hitter was on the line, came out with the same dominance he started with. He got all three of Newton batters out, getting a strikeout for the last out.

“Jake is a good pitcher,” said Bates. “That’s his second no-hitter of the year, getting the first one against Druid Hills.” “He’s actually has 4 shutouts this year.”

Newton had trouble all game, especially offensively. However, Newton did get runners on base by a couple of walks and an error by Alcovy’s first baseman.

Alcovy moved to the top of the region with the win. Alcovy has 3 more region games left on their schedule. One against Luella, they gave Alcovy their only region loss of the year early on in the season.

“Right now, we’re just playing one game at a time.” said Baites