Houston had three times as many stolen bases as hits in Monday’s season opener as the Tigers beat Cuba 7-2.
Ethan Kelley swiped four bases and Matt Knarr had three steals as HHS found ways to manufacture runs in the opening game of the Houston Baseball Tournament. Trevor Motzkus and Nathan Poynter added two steals apiece.
In his second career varsity start, Poynter struck out nine batters – twice to escape bases-loaded jams – in the complete-game victory. The junior right-hander gave up one hit and one earned run. He walked six.
It was the first varsity victory for Poynter, who had four innings of relief work last season.
Kelley and Knarr scored two runs apiece for the Tigers (1-0), who managed just four hits. Kolby Walker had a first-inning sacrifice fly for the team’s lone RBI.
HHS Â 203 Â 200 Â 3 Â – Â 7 Â 4 Â 3
CHS Â 001 Â 000 Â 1 Â – Â 2 Â 1 Â 3
HOUSTON (ab-r-h-bi) – Nathan Poynter p 4-1-0-0. Tanner Cantrell 3b 3-1-0-0. Whitley Welch c 3-0-1-0. Matt Knarr cr 0-2-0-0. Kolby Walker 1b 3-0-0-1. Ethan Kelley ss 2-2-0-0. Stetson Welch 2b 3-1-1-0. Kyle Wilson lf 4-0-1-0. Ty Wilkins cf 3-0-1-0. Tyler Burris rf 3-0-0-0. Trevor Motzkus pr 0-0-0-0. Totals 28-7-4-1.
SF: Walker. SB: Kelley 4, Knarr 3, Motzkus 2, Poynter 2, SWelch, Wilkins. HBP: Kelley 2, SWelch.
Winning pitcher: Poynter (1-0)