RHS boys split with Westbrook Christian
Austin 9, Russellville 7
An eight-run outburst in the bottom of the sixth inning by Austin was too much for Russellville to overcome in a game Feb. 26 in Decatur.
The Golden Tigers grabbed a fourth-inning lead with four runs in the frame to take a 4-1 advantage and then grew the lead to 7-1 going into the sixth. AHS outhit Russellville 12-9 in the game, and the Golden Tigers committed four errors in the field.
Devin Buckhalter reached base in each of his four at-bats. He had two hits, two walks and scored twice. Jackson Lindsey also had two hits, including a double, and he scored a run. Hunter Briles, Caden Parker and Gordon White all had a hit each and an RBI apiece.
Tanner James totaled a hit, walk, a stolen base and three RBIs, while Cole Barnett finished the game with a double and a run scored.
Parker got the start on the mound and went 5.1 innings. The right-hander gave up six runs on hits, and he struck out two and walked three. Buckhalter came on in relief and allowed two runs and two walks and was followed by James, who got the final two outs. James gave up a run and three hits, and he threw nine pitches.
Russellville 8, Westbrook Christian 2
The Golden Tigers got their first win of the 2019 season with a victory over the Warriors at RHS March 2 in the home-opener. The two teams were originally scheduled to play a double header at Westbrook Christian, but instead, they battled this time in Russellville.
Rainy weather and wet fields have been the story of the early season, and a Russellville game planned for Feb. 28 at Brooks was postponed.
Parker got the win on the mound for RHS in game one versus Westbrook Christian. He allowed two hits and two runs over six innings, with only one of the runs being earned. Parker threw 92 pitches and struck out seven and walked three.
John David Bishop came on and pitched the last inning, and he allowed no hits and gave up a walk.
Seven Golden Tigers had hits in the game, with Lindsey and Barnett leading the charge with two each. The duo had a double apiece, as did Will Rogers. Meanwhile, Cade Fretwell joined Lindsey in the stolen base column. Briles, Parker, James and Bishop all were credited with singles, while Buckhalter saw his season-long hitting streak come to an end.
Westbrook Christian 6, Russellville 1
The 2A Warriors from Rainbow City took game two on Saturday from Russellville, even though both teams had five hits each. With the loss, RHS dropped to 1-6 so far this season.
Parker went 2-2 with the bat for RHS, and he also had a walk. Nate Green also reached on a free pass, and Buckhalter had two stolen bases, while Parker swiped one. Briles had a double for Russellville, while Buckhalter and Barnett also had singles.
Rowe Gallagher and Buckhalter did the pitching for RHS. Gallagher started on the mound and went four innings. He allowed four runs – two earned – while Buckhalter gave up two earned runs over three innings.
