Athens ends RHS' area streak

By Staff
Scot Beard
The Russellville baseball team had found quite a bit of success in area play in recent years.
The Golden Tigers had not lost a game against an area opponent since the 2006 season until Athens defeated Russellville 6-4 Tuesday night.
The Golden Eagles nearly ended the streak Monday, but Russellville rallied from a 9-6 deficit in the top of the seventh to tie the game and won in extra innings.
Tuesday Athens jumped out to an early lead again as the Golden Eagles roughed up Russellville starting pitcher Ryan Bowling for four runs on two hits in the top of the first inning.
As much as Bowling struggled on the mound, his teammates struggled at the plate.
T.J. Lindsey led off the bottom of the first by drawing a walk, but the next three batters were retired in order.
Athens added to its lead in the second as the first batter took first after a pitch hit him. The next batter flied out, but the next four Athens hitters reached base and put two more runs on the scoreboard.
Russellville continued to struggle at the plate in the second as all three batters were retired.
The Golden Tigers turned it around in the third as Bowling found his rhythm on the mound, getting all three Athens batters out.
Responding to the pitcher's success, the Russellville hitters began a bit of a rally.
Nic Schmittou led off the inning with a walk before Ryan Romans struck out. Lindsey drew a walk to advance Schmittou, but was later picked off first base for the second out of the inning.
Jake Ward drew another walk and he and Schmittou advanced to second and third on a passed ball. Nathan Vincent drove both runners home with a single to right field to cut Athens' lead to 6-2 before Seth Rhudy grounded out to end the inning.
Bowling continued to dominate on the mound in the fourth as the only base runner allowed was an Athens batter he hit with a pitch.
Russellville could not get any runs in the fourth, and the Golden Tiger defense played well in the fifth to keep Athens from adding to its lead despite a Golden Eagle runner reaching third base.
Romans led off the bottom of the fifth for the Golden Tigers with a double and advanced to third when Lindsey reached on a fielder's choice. Lindsey was thrown out as he attempted to steal second, but Jake Ward tripled to score Romans.
Vincent then flied out to deep center field allowing Ward to score and cut the Athens lead to 6-4. Rhudy drew a walk, but Jesse Green popped out to end the inning.
Bowling continued to shut down the Athens' offense in the sixth, facing only four batters.
To start the sixth, the Golden Tigers looked like they were going to pick up where they left off in the fifth as John Batchelor singled to left, forcing Athens to make a pitching change. Mark Davis drew a walk for Russellville and both base runners advanced on a passed ball.
John Watkins pinch hit for Schmittou and lined out to the shortstop, who threw to third to double off Batchelor.
Romans then struck out to end the threat.
Athens had two runners reach scoring position in the seventh, but was unable to add to the lead.
Lindsey grounded out in the bottom of the seventh before Ward singled to left field and advanced to second on a sacrifice by Vincent.
Ward stole third, but was not able to score as Rhudy struck out to end the game.
The Golden Tigers travel to Florence today for a pair of games and head to Hartselle Monday as they try to begin a new win streak in area play. Their next home game will be Tuesday as they host Hartselle for a doubleheader.