Robbie Hill connected on a game-ending home run to give the North Pike Jaguars a 10-0 shortened victory over the South Pike Eagles.
Hill, like his Jaguar teammates, hasn’t been consistent lately. North Pike head coach George Lott would like to eliminate some of the hills and valleys the Jaguars are going through in the early part of the district schedule.
“We’re up and down and up and down,” Lott said.
Hill was the perfect example.
“He’s struggled, and for him to hit that pitch out was good,” Lott said.
Lott also got some help from his bench. Freshman Jake Martin helped the Jaguars put some runs on the board.
“Jake came in and laid down a perfect bunt,” Lott said. “He made an infield hit of it.”
For South Pike, the game was an adjustment to a newer lineup and the finale of 10 straight games on the road to start the season.
The Eagles Brandon Ross went down with a high ankle sprain last week and had to sit out, forcing younger players into the lineup in new positions.
South Pike head coach Jason Cooksey was pleased with his pitching, at least when it came to strikeouts.
His pitchers struck out seven Jaguars, but didn’t get out of innings.
“We gave up too many opportunities,” Cooksey said. “We didn’t get in sync tonight, and you can credit that to North Pike.”
Casey Paul pitched for the win, striking out six in five innings.
Justin Badon scored three runs for the Jaguars off a double and two walks. Hill scored twice for North Pike as well.
The two teams play again on Friday, with the Eagles playing in their home opener and with penciled-in starter Henry Green, who is 2-1 on the season. Green has Lott a little antsy looking at Friday.
“We didn’t hit the ball well at all,” Lott said. “We’ve got to correct that, and they have a pretty good kid throwing Friday.”
McComb 10, Florence 3
McComb made sure the fifth inning was worth remembering as nine batters came to the plate, and the Tigers put Florence behind them after having played four innings and having the score tied at 3.
Hunter McCullough pitched 4 1/3 innings, but left with the game tied, which allowed Zach Rowell to enter the game and pick up the win with 2 2/3 innings and three strikeouts to his credit.
Ben Slaton drove in four runs on the game, including a two-run single in the first and a double in the fifth. Dontrell Sargent drove in three runs, including a two-run double.
Kenny Artigues and Bradley Brock each scored three runs for the Tigers, who stole eight bases on the night.
Brock stole three himself and scored three runs despite not getting a hit. He was hit twice and walked.
