Needing only 5 innings to get the job done, the Houston High School baseball team spanked Liberty 11-1 in the season’s first South Central Association conference game Thursday at Tiger Field.
Houston scored in all but 1 inning of the run-rule-shortened contest, getting on the board with a run in the bottom of the first frame, adding 4 more in both the second and fourth and then invoking the run rule with a pair in the fifth.
The Tigers compiled 9 hits in the victory and were gifted 8 more baserunners on walks.
HHS junior Shaun Buck (playing third base in the game) had a huge day with the bat, going 3-for-3 with a walk, a double, 5 RBIs and a run scored. He also stole 3 bases. Senior Stone Jackson (at shortstop) also had 3 hits, going 3-for-4 with a double, 3 RBIs and 3 runs.
Senior Wyatt Hughes was dominant again on the mound for Houston, working all 5 innings while allowing 4 hits (all singles), striking out 8 and walking only 1. Hughes also got on base 3 times with walks and scored each time.
Senior Aiden Kelly (at catcher) also scored 3 runs for the Tigers, going 1-for-2 at the plate with 2 walks.
Neither team committed an error in the game.
Weather permitting, Houston will host an SCA matchup with Salem on Monday (April 1).