By TOM WHITUS sports@newsandtribune.com
JEFFERSONVILLE — Clutch hitting and a fine effort by pitcher Ian Ellis helped Jeffersonville to a 4-0 win
over visiting Jennings County in the Hoosier Hills Conference tournament semifinal Friday evening at Don Poole Field.

The Red Devils (14-3) — ranked No. 7 in Class 4-A — scored all four runs with two outs. The timely hitting that backed up a 3-hit, 9-strikeout effort by Ellis, who helped his own cause by going 4-for-4.

“It was good they found a way to grind it out, to find a way to win,” Jeffersonville coach Derek Ellis said of his team’s timely hitting.

Jeffersonville advances to host No. 6-ranked New Albany in the Hoosier Hills Conference tournament final at Don Poole Field this morning at 11 a.m.

Jennings County threatened early when Owen Land got to first on an infield error in the first inning. He advanced to second on a fielders’ choice but advanced no further.

Jeffersonville answered with a threat of its own in the bottom of the inning – and the Devils made it pay off.

Ellis got the Red Devils started with a one out single against Panthers starter Justin Pettit. Justin Thomas, a courtesy runner for Ellis, went to second on a passed ball. Thomas was at third base with two outs when Bailey Falkenstein hit an RBI double to the right-center field wall. Falkenstein stole third but was stranded there.

Leading 1-0 and with two outs in the third inning, the Red Devils got some more timely hits to expand on their lead.

Ellis sparked the two out surge with his second single of the game. Thomas, again the courtesy runner, scored on a single by Joe Burke, who went to second on the unsuccessful throw to the plate.

Burke went on to steal third on a bobbled pitch and scored on a single by Cam Northern to make it 3-0. With two runs in, the Red Devils looked to push more across but stranded runners at second and third.

Jennings County looked to get on the board when Pettit helped his own cause with a two-out double in the top of the fourth. It was the Panthers’ first hit against Ellis, who tossed his sixth strikeout of the game to quickly squelch the threat.

Jacob Wingate relieved Pettit for the Panthers in the bottom of the fifth – and he, too, gave up a single to Ellis. This time, however, Thomas was caught trying to steal second before Burke hit a ground out.

With two outs – again – Falkenstein singled and Northern drew a walk. With runners at first and second, Jeremiah Phelps hit an RBI single to score Falkenstein and make it 4-0.

The Red Devils loaded the bases but couldn’t add to their lead.

The Panthers made it a bit more interesting in the top of the seventh. Leading off the inning, Avery Johnson singled and Pettit hit his second double of the game off of Ellis.

With runners at second and third and none out, Ellis (5-1) notched his final two strikeouts and coaxed a fly out to end the game.

“We were close,” Derek Ellis said of going to a reliever. “That’s your senior stepping up. He didn’t want to come out.”

HOOSIER HILLS CONFERENCE

SEMIFINAL

Jennings Co. 000 000 0–0 3 0

Jeffersonville 102 010 x–4 8 1

W – Ian Ellis (5-1). L – Justin Pettit (0-5). 2B – Bailey Falkenstein (Jeff), Justin Pettit (JC) 2. Records – Jeffersonville 14-3, Jennings County 5-10.