By Staff
Justin Schuver, Hartselle Enquirer
DECATUR – Hartselle managed a split on the road Saturday, losing in the opener 3-0 before bouncing back to win the second game 9-5. They swept West Point March 9 in the area opener.
The Tigers are 9-5 for the young season.
Decatur 3, Hartselle 0
In the opener, Decatur scored a run on Steve Tumbleson's RBI double in the second inning and increased its lead on John Frost's two-run home run in the third inning.
Hartselle could not solve Decatur's pitching in the game, managing just one hit off Decatur starter Blaine Ingram. Although Ingram held the Tigers' bats at bay, he did have problems with control at times – walking five and hitting three batters.
Caleb Murphy had the lone hit for Hartselle, a single in the second inning.
Hartselle 9, Decatur 5
Murphy hit a three-run home run in the fourth inning to plate Josh Aycox and Justin Hargett and give Hartselle a 6-4 lead. Jake Bradford added an RBI single in the seventh inning to give the Tigers some insurance.
J.C. Bates picked up the win, working five innings and striking out four while walking three. Hargett earned the save, pitching the final two innings and striking out three while walking two.
Decatur held a 4-1 lead before the Tigers scored six runs in the fourth. Hartselle added three more in the seventh to put the game away.
Hargett had two singles in the win, Tony Weaver hit a double and Ryder Brasher hit a single. Murphy added a single in addition to his home run.
Hartselle 11, West Point 1
Chad Girodo pitched a complete game for Hartselle, allowing just one hit and striking out 13 as the Tigers won in a rout.
Senior shortstop Justin Hargett returned to the team for his first game after an injury held him out of Hartselle's first 10 games. He finished 1-for-2 with three runs.
Aycox was 1-for-4 with two runs; Murphy finished 2-for-2 with three RBIs and two doubles; Ethan Widener was 2-for-2 with a run and a double; Will Chappell was 1-for-3 with a run and an RBI and Nick Howard finished 1-for-3 with a run.
Hartselle 15, West Point 1 (5 innings)
The Tigers scored 15 runs off seven hits, taking advantage of several Warrior miscues, to complete the road sweep.
Widener started the game and picked up the win, pitching three innings and allowing two hits and one run. He struck out three and walked one. Brasher pitched the final two innings in relief, striking out three and walking one.
Quinn Dunlap finished 1-for-2 with two RBIs, two runs, two stolen bases and a double. Aycox was 2-for-2 with two RBIs and two runs; Murphy finished 1-for-1 with a walk and a single; Chappell was 1-for-2 with an RBI and a run; Bates was 1-for-3 with two runs and an RBI and Josh Slaten finished 1-for-1 with a run and a walk.