A win and they're in

By Staff
Rebecca James, Franklin County Times
After the first two innings of the Golden Tigers' game against Athens yesterday, it was obvious: Russellville (31-6, 4-0 in Regional play) wanted in the 5A playoffs.
After the mercy rule kicked in in the bottom of the fifth, they were there.
Russellville went on to wallop Athens 15-1 yesterday, clinching a playoff berth for the team.
Athens struck first with an early score in the first inning, but that would be the lone highlight for the Golden Eagles.
Russellville put on a hitting clinic for the next two innings, and put the game away.
Russellville's Jake Ward responded in the bottom of the first with his own score, bringing it to 1-1. Josh James ripped a single for Russellville and drove in three, bringing the score to 4-1. By the end of the first inning, Russellville posted four more unanswered scores.
Russellville continued their domination of the Golden Eagles through the second inning. Junior Torey Baird had the only home run of the game late in the second, bringing the score to 8-1. By the end of the second inning, Russellville had tacked seven more runs onto the scoreboard, bringing the score to a very one-sided 15-1.
The mercy rule kicked in after Athens failed to cut the Golden Tigers' lead to less than 10 runs.
Caleb Mitchell and Corey Flanagan combined for two hits each for the Golden Tigers.
Jacob Daniel and Jake Ward split time on the mound for the win.