Walk the line: Free bases key for Hartselle in rout of rival
For the Enquirer
You get a base. You get a base. Everybody gets a base. It was certainly a generous strategy from Cullman on Tuesday, and one Hartselle walked away from happily. The Tigers walked 14 times, forcing the Bearcats to use six pitchers, in their 12-2 fiveinning win. “Our at bats were very unselfish today,” coach Brad Phillips said. “I mean, we got 12 runs on four hits, that tells you how unselfish we were. We were on the other end of that last Thursday (in a 6-1 loss to Hazel Green) where we walked eight or 10 times. Today we were focused and didn’t try to do things that the pitcher didn’t allow us to do.” Braden Weathers collected three of Hartselle’s walks and scored twice, including the final one on a passed ball. Easton Nelms scored three runs. Cruise Baker reached base three times, scored twice and drove in two runs. Cole Miles reached base three times and had four RBIs, two of which came on a single as part of a four-run fourth inning. Hartselle (8-4) led 3-2 entering the frame.
Hartselle, Page B-5 “Everybody in the lineup could be the guy to make that hit,” Miles said. “One through nine, we’re all pretty talented. I was fortunate today to be the guy that had the opportunity to deliver a big hit for us.” In the meantime, the Tigers took advantage of their fair share of walks.
“We focused on a couple of things over the course of the last few days,” Phillips said. “And the guys fixed some issues we had.” Hartselle 11, Priceville Baker had a grand slam to lead the Tigers to an 11-1 victory over Priceville. Miles and Lee each added two hits and two RBIs. Asher Doepel and Nelms each had a hit and an RBI, while Nelms scored two runs.
Ty Marsh picked up the win after tossing three innings, He allowed one run on two hits. Will Sharp pitched three scoreless innings of relief, striking out five.
Ethan Sherwood hit a home run to give Priceville their lone run. Aiden Hill and Thomas Ferguson each had a hit. Tyde Borden took the loss after allowing seven runs on three hits in 2.2 innings of work.
Hazel Green 12, Hartselle 9
Hazel Green plated nine runs in the bottom of the first inning as they defeated Hartselle 12-9.
Doepel finished 3-for-3 with two RBIs and a run scored to lead the Tigers. Miles was 3-of-4 with two runs scored, while Nelms and Marsh each had a hit and two runs scored. Lee finished 2-for-3 with three RBIs.
Doepel took the loss after giving up nine runs in less than an inning of work.
