By Bart Moss

For the FCT

BASEBALL

Tharptown 8, Red Bay 7

The Tharptown Wildcats topped the Red Bay Tigers in the first intra-county matchup of the young baseball season by a score of 9-8.

Tharptown scored first with a one-run first inning but the Red Bay Tigers countered quickly with a three-run first inning and a two-run second inning to take an early 5-1 lead.

A big five-run fifth inning allowed the Wildcats to retake the lead 6-5.

Red Bay scored three runs in the sixth inning to regain the lead 8-6.  Tharptown tied the game with a two-run seventh inning and sent the game into extra innings.

Tharptown scored the winning run in the top of the eighth inning.

John Staggs was the winning pitcher for the Wildcats. He pitched the last six innings of the game allowing seven hits, giving up three runs and striking out two.

Kelby Hallmark went 2-4 with two runs batted in. Riley Nolen and Shawn Hines had two hits and one RBI each. Tristen Smith knocked in three runners on one hit. Allen Bohannon added a hit and an RBI. Staggs also added a hit for the Wildcats.

Troy Borden led the Tigers with a three-hit game including a two-run home run and four runs batted in. Nick Thorn also had three hits in the game. Jade Pound, Austin Milam, and Josh Wilson each had two hits. Fred Nethery and Kolby Bragwell had one hit apiece.

Mars Hill 15, Tharptown 8

The Tharptown Wildcat baseball team opened the season with a 15-8 loss to Mars Hill last week.

The Wildcats led 2-0 after the first inning. The Panthers responded with four runs in the third inning and three runs in the fourth inning to take a 7-2 lead.

Tharptown scored one run in the fifth inning and had a five run sixth inning. Mars Hill was able to match the Wildcats scoring five runs in the fifth and closing out the game with a three-run sixth inning.

“We’ve got a lot of things we’ve got to work out,” said Tharptown coach Griffin Harris.

“Mars Hill is one the top baseball programs in north Alabama year in and year out. I thought we did okay. We just need to keep improving.”

Riley Nolen went 3-4, Kelby Hallmark and John Stages each went 2-4. Alan Bohannon, Shawn Hines, Max Nolen and Allen Gaston had one hit each.

Bohannon started the game on the mound for the Wildcats. Others taking to the hill were John Staggs, Tristen Smith, Shawn Hines and Heath Hatton.

Sheffield 6, Red Bay 1

The Red Bay Tigers opened the season with a 6-1 loss to the Sheffield Bulldogs last week.

Landen Burgett started the game on the mound for the Tigers. He pitched four innings and gave up two hits and two runs.

Troy Borden went 1-3 with a triple and a run scored. Colby Knoblock went 2-3.

“We played a pretty good opening game against a very good baseball team,” said Red Bay coach Richard Maggerise.

“We saw their ace pitcher today who has already signed with UAB. He’s throws the ball in the mid-80s. I’m glad our guys battled throughout the game.”

SOFTBALL

Bulldog Classic

Russellville 11, Tharptown 7

The Russellville Lady Golden Tigers participated in the Bulldog Classic last weekend. They defeated Tharptown 11-7. They lost to Colbert County 10-1, Ardmore 6-4, and Hatton 5-3.

Some of the highlights from the tournament for the Golden Tigers:

Kalli Beth Daniel had two hits and two runs batted in; Kayla Cochran had three hits and an RBI; Sydney Burcham had four hits and two RBIs; Rachel Hunter had five hits, five RBIs including a 3-run home run; Lily Holt had seven hits and two RBIs; Ally Willis had two hits; Megan Brockway had a 2-run double; and Lexie Lamon added a hit.  Rachel Hunter was the pitcher of record for Russellville.

“We were our own worst enemy. I believe we can correct the negatives,” said Russellville coach John Smith.

“We have got to make the routine plays. I was pleased with our pitching and our work ethic. It wasn’t the start we wanted but we can build on it.”