Tigers Sweep Irish in Home-Away Set

BRUCETON/ERIN (April 20-21) — Hollow Rock-Bruceton Central High School baseball began the week with a home-away set against district foe Houston County. On Monday, at home, the Tigers blanked the Irish, 8-0. Tuesday's game at Houston County was back-and-forth, but Central claimed an 8-5 win for the sweep.

Central Tigers 8, Houston County Irish 0

In Monday's home shutout, Central started strong with five runs in the bottom of the first, then added two in the fourth and one in the sixth.

Tiger Braxton Howard was 2-for-4 with a triple, two RBIs and a stolen base. Drake Hollingsworth was 2-for-3 with two RBIs and a run scored. Brayden Maness was 1-for-3 with a double, a walk and an RBI. Brody Huff and Parker Finley were each 1-for-3 with an RBI. Parker Boyd was 1-for-3. Tanner Walters was 0-for-2 with two walks, two runs scored and two stolen bases. Dalton Howard was 0-for-3 with an RBI and a run scored.

Houston County's Ryder Forrester was 1-for-3 with a double. Carson Spurgeon was 1-for-2.

Gage Weatherly earned the complete-game shutout for Central, allowing two hits and a walk while striking out eight.

Ryder Forrester took the loss for the Irish, allowing seven runs (four earned) on seven hits while walking four and striking out two in four innings. Carson Spurgeon pitched one inning of relief, allowing no runs, hits or walks with one strikeout. Brady Donehue threw the final frame, allowing one earned run on one hit while walking none and striking out two.

Tigers 8, Irish 5

On the road Tuesday, Central struck first with two runs in the top of the first and one in the second. Houston County scored one in the bottom of the third, and the Tigers added one in the fourth. In the fifth, the Irish took the lead with four runs. Central quickly regained the advantage with two in the sixth, then added two more in the seventh.

Tiger Braxton Howard was 1-for-2 with a double, three walks, two RBIs, two runs scored and two stolen bases. Tanner Walters was 2-for-5 with a triple, two runs scored and a stolen base. Gage Weatherly was 2-for-5 with a triple, two RBIs and a run scored. Brody Huff was 2-for-4 with a double, an RBI and a run scored. Drake Hollingsworth was 2-for-5 with an RBI. Brayden Maness was 0-for-2 with three walks and a run scored.

Houston County's Ryder Forrester was 2-for-4 with a home run. Brody Harris was 2-for-4 with an RBI and a run scored. Carson Spurgeon was 1-for-3 with a run scored.

Drake Hollingsworth earned the complete-game victory for Central, allowing five runs (two earned) on five hits while walking one and striking out three.

Carson Spurgeon got the start for the Irish, allowing three runs (one earned) on two hits while walking four and striking out five in two innings. Samuel Ferrel pitched four and a third innings of relief and took the loss, allowing five runs (four earned) on seven hits while walking five and striking out four. Grayson Mitchell threw the final two-thirds of an innings, allowing no runs, hits or walks.