Hartselle knocks off Thompson ahead of matchup with Cullman
Caleb Suggs
Hartselle Enquirer
It would have been very easy for the Hartselle Tigers to look ahead. The seventh ranked Tigers have a matchup with top ranked Cullman Bearcats looming on Saturday. The rivalry is big enough as is but considering that the Bearcats ended Hartselle’s season in the playoffs last year, it’s easy to imagine the Tigers are looking forward to it. However, before that Hartselle had a game with the Thompson Warriors to deal with.
Thompson loaded the bases in the first inning thanks to two walks and a single. The Warriors took a 1-0 lead with a bases loaded walk. Hartselle loaded the bases as well in the first with two singles from Austin Parker and Garrett Wade as well as Eric Stephenson being hit by a pitch. The Tigers thought they tied the game when Grayson Bray beat the tag at first base, but after a discussion the referee reversed his decision leaving the Tigers down 1-0. Thompson added another run in the second to push their lead to 2-0.
After two scoreless innings, Hartselle’s bats finally came alive in the fifth. Connor Burks hit a two RBI double to drive in Riley Wood and Matt James and tie the game 2-2. Austin Parker then hit an RBI single to drive in Burks and give Hartselle the 3-2 lead. From there, pitcher Grayson Bray only allowed one more hit and the Tigers defeated the Warriors 3-2. Grayson Bray got the win one the mound for Hartselle. Austin Parker and Garrett Wade led the Tigers with two hits each. Connor Burks had two RBIs
After a rough start to the season, Hartselle has won five of their last six and head coach William booth is glad to see his team finally finishing games. “The last inning has not been good to us this season.” Booth said. “We didn’t make any errors this game and that really helped.” Hartselle meets top ranked Cullman on Saturday at 2 p.m. at Cullman.