The Alexander City Outlook

Baseball under way: Coosa wins, DHS, HBHS lose

The Central-Coosa baseball team was impressive in its opening two games, as the Cougars came from behind to win game one over B.B. Comer 4-3 and then pounded the Tigers 17-5 in the nightcap.

Cameron Bearden came through with a two-out, two-run double in the fifth inning to put the Cougars on top, and Tyler Stover finished off his complete game on the mound to seal the win.

“Cameron’s hit was big, and we scratched and clawed to get the win,” said head coach Shundell Russaw. “The team as a whole played well for it to be the first game, and I think we got a lot of confidence going into (today’s) game against Benjamin Russell.”

Stover struck out six batters and allowed three hits in his seven innings. Shane Payton was 1-for-3 with two runs and Tommy Tinney was 1-for-2.

In game two, Coosa scored nine runs in the first inning and added six more in the second to build a huge early lead. Levi Wilson struck out five of six batters in the first two innings to get the win and also had a hit and drew two walks at the plate.

Tinney, Payton, Bearden, Stover and Brock Dunham all picked up two hits in the win. Lee Varner struck out five batters in the final three innings.

In Valley, the Rams upended Horseshoe Bend 7-3 in the first game for the Generals.

Valley scored a pair of runs in the second, third and fourth innings to keep the pressure on HBHS.

“We looked good at times, but six total hits are not going to cut it,” head coach Jason Johnson said. “Jake Mitchell started and got the first three batters 1-2-3 in 12 pitches, but he struggled a little after that. We struck out nine people on the mound, though, so that was good to see.”

Mitchell, Corey Pouncey and Gage Whiteard all had hits for the Generals, who play a doubleheader today at Beulah.

In Dadeville, the short-handed Tigers got off to a rough start, losing to Tallassee twice, 14-2 and 16-4.

DHS is scheduled to face the defending 6A champs, Auburn, today at home at 4 p.m.