The Pike County Central Hawks jumped ahead early and never trailed as they defeated the home standing Floyd Central Jaguars, 8-5, on Tuesday.
The Hawks got on the scoreboard in the top of the 1st inning when Caleb Mouton singled to center field to score M Hess for a 1-0 lead. Later in the inning, Isaac Blankenship singled to center field to bring Lane Adams home. Then, Patrick Mandrell singled to left field to score Kaden Crum.
The Jaguars cut into the lead in the bottom of the 1st inning when Max Martin scored on a Logan Moore single to make it a 3-1 game. Floyd Central pulled even closer, 3-2, in the bottom of the 3rd inning when Jacob Bentley drove in Dylan Mosley with a single to left field.
Pike County Central extended its lead in top of the 4th inning when Warren Newsome scored after a dropped third strike to make it a 4-2 lead.
Floyd Central stayed close in the bottom of the 5th inning when Keon Reeves scored on a single to center field from Martin to make it a 4-3 game.
The Hawks exploded for 4 runs in the top of the 7th inning to take control of the game. Blake Hager started the onslaught with a double to center field to bring home Caleb Compton. Hess then scored on an infield single by Crum to make the score 6-3. Adams then scored on Blankenship’s double to center field. Mandrell then singled home Crum for the Hawks’ last run to make it 8-3.
The Jaguars cut into the lead in the bottom of the 7th when Andrew Cicchetti scored on a passed ball. Martin the scored on Bentley’s double to center field to reach the 8-5 final score.
Hager got the win on the mound after allowing only 3 earned runs on 5 hits with 11 strikeouts over 6-2/3 innings. Mosley was given the loss.
The Hawks will next play Ridgeview, VA on Thursday. Floyd Central will face Lawrence County on Wednesday.
Photo Courtesy of Dewayne Thornsbury
