Mountain Grove 12, Houston 2
Despite the game being tied at 2 after as many innings, the Houston High School baseball team lost 12-2 in five innings to Mountain Grove on Monday.
The visiting Panthers struck first, scoring on a throwing error in the first inning, but the Tigers responded in the bottom of the inning, scoring their only runs on an error and fielder’s choice to lead 2-1.
Several defensive miscues and base hits helped Mountain Grove score 11 runs over the next four innings to win 12-2.
“We gave up too many free bases with errors, hit by pitches and walks,” said HHS head coach Brent Hall.
Senior Shaun Buck started on the mound and only allowed 3 earned runs in four innings, but defensive errors led to 7 runs being scored during his time on the bump.
Neither team managed to hit the ball hard or often, combining for 6 hits – including only one extra-base hit. Houston pitchers hit 4 Mountain Grove batters. The defense was responsible for 4 errors.
“We did not consistently put the ball in play after the first inning,” said Hall. “It’s my responsibility as a coach to fix that and get us to be competitive in every game.”
Houston (5-9; 2-2 SCA) plays Norwood at Tiger Field on Tuesday and plays at home again against Thayer on Thursday.
Pitching:
- Shaun Buck (Sr.) – 4 IP, 4 H, 7 R (3 ER), 6 BB, 8 K
- John Jordan (Sr.) – IP, H, 5 R (3 ER), 2 BB
Offense:
- Aaden Scantlin (Jr.) – 1-for-2, R, BB, 2 SB
Houston 18, Plato 2
The Diamond Tigers scored early and often on their way to defeating Plato in four innings at the Plato Spring Classic on Saturday.
After senior Kolby Sisco blanked the Eagles in the top of the first inning, senior Caiden Root hit an RBI single in the bottom of the inning and sophomore Ethan Carter hit a 2 RBI single to make the score 3-0.
The Tigers never looked back, scoring 9 runs in the second inning and 6 in the fourth to win 18-2.
Pitching:
- Kolby Sisco (Sr.) – 4 IP, 2 H, 2 ER, 5 BB, K
Offense:
- Aaden Scantlin (Jr.) – 3-for-4, 3 R, 2 RBI, BB
- Caiden Root (Sr.) – 3-for-4, 3 R, 3 RBI
- Kolby Sisco (Sr.) – 2-for-3, 2B, R, 4 RBI, BB
Alton 8, Houston 4
In the first game of the Plato Spring Classic, Houston led Alton 3-1 before falling 8-4 on Saturday.
The Tigers struck first, scoring on a sacrifice fly in the top of the first inning to lead 1-0 before adding 2 runs in the second to lead 3-1.
The Comets responded both innings though, matching Houston with a run in the first and two in the second. They tacked on 5 more runs through the sixth inning to lead 8-3.
Houston managed to score once in the seventh inning on a Root single to close the gap, but couldn’t add any more, losing 8-4.
Pitching:
- Caiden Root (Sr.) – 6 IP, 9 H, 8 R (5 ER), 4 BB, 7 K
Offense:
- Aaden Scantlin (Jr.) – 1-for-3, BB, SB
- Oliver Greiner (So.) – 1-for-3, RBI
Salem 10, Houston 0
The Tigers never got the bats going against their Dent County namesakes, managing only 2 hits in the contest last Thursday.
Through three innings, junior Aaden Scantlin kept the game close, allowing only 4 runs (3 earned) while walking 4 batters and striking out 4.
However, a lack of offensive production from Houston, including 9 strikeouts in 17 plate appearances let the game get out of control. Senior John Jordan allowed 6 runs in the fourth inning to lead Salem to a 10-0 victory.
Pitching:
- Aaden Scantlin (Jr.) – 3 IP, 4 H, 4 R (3 ER), 4 BB, 4 K
- John Jordan (Sr.) – IP, 5 H, 6 R, BB, K
Offense:
- Caiden Root (Sr.) – 2-for-2, 2 SB
