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By Carey Reeder | Staff Writer

Billingsley High School’s pitching duo of Mason Truesdale and Landon Jones are this week’s athletes of the week for their performances during the week of Feb. 28-March 6.

Truesdale threw the first perfect game in Billingsley school history on Feb. 28 throwing five innings while striking out nine hitters. Truesdale sat down all 15 batters he saw and threw 44 of his 67 pitches for a strike. Landon Jones was the catcher on Feb. 28, and helped preserve the historic feat by converting a dropped third strike for the first out of the last inning.

Jones, also a starting pitcher for the Bears, took the mound in the Bears next game after Truesdale’s perfect game on March 3. Jones handled the first game of Billingsley’s doubleheader against Dallas County High School.

While the game ended 4-3 in favor of Dallas County, Jones was a force on the mound striking out 14 hitters while throwing 99 pitches, 62 of those for strikes. Jones threw five innings and giving up five hits, three runs and two walks.

Jones also had a 2-for-4 night at the plate with two doubles to help his own cause.

“I think it builds up confidence in all of the guys knowing we do not have to go out each game and score eight or nine runs a game, especially when we have our top pitchers out there,” Billingsley coach Jeffrey Alexander said. “If we can produce runs, that eases the pressure off of us. It builds confidence as a whole.”

Billingsley’s starting rotation has helped them to a 6-1 start to the 2023 season.

 

Honorable mention: Tyler Mims, Isabella High School

 Isabella High School’s Tyler Mims hurled a complete game for the Mustangs and earned them their first win of the 2023 season beating Maplesville High School 10-1 on Feb. 28. Mims threw seven innings allowing eight hits, one run and two walks. Mims struck out nearly half the 30 batters he faced with 12 K’s.

“(Tyler) had an exceptional game,” Isabella coach Dustin Green said. “He did a fantastic job of keeping us ahead and on top the entire game.”

Mims’ performance was only the second time in Green’s tenure at Isabella he has had a pitcher throw a complete game. Mims threw 125 pitches with 78 being called for a strike. Mims began his last batter before the 120-pitch threshold, his limit per AHSAA guidelines.