The T.R. Miller Tiger baseball team pounded out 18 runs on 14 hits Thursday at home in a five-inning, 18-3 area win over Clarke County.
T.R. Miller led 6-0 after the first inning and 11-0 after the second while getting the win. The Tigers had eight hits after two innings.
The Tigers then added seven more runs in the fourth inning to hold an 18-0 lead before surrendering three runs in the top of the fifth to Clarke County but was able to get the win by 15.
“I never saw that coming. They were just throwing the ball up there and we were hitting it. That was the difference. We got way ahead early on and I didn’t see any need to leave Kevin (Davis) in to pitch. We can’t expect that to happen every time, but it did and when it does we have to go ahead and play the game and finish the game.”
While getting the win, Hart was appreciative to the crowd for coming to the game especially the “Tiger’s Den” student section in left field. The rowdy crowd sat on a fire truck the whole game and was loud the entire game including using a megaphone to stay vocal in the big win.
“Outstanding, outstanding group in the outfield,” Hart said. “I hope they will be back every time we play. David Jennings did a very good job with PA and I think that helped us out a bunch. We are looking forward to being around for a while.
Kevin Davis got the start on the mound and the win going two innings and striking out six. Darby Black went the final three innings and allowed five hits, three runs, hit and struck out three.
Collin Graves, Conner Denton, Kameron Winn, Jacob Fillmore, and Ryan Skinner all had hits in the win with Kevin Davis, Caleb McAnally and Kyle Davis all having doubles.
T.R. Miller and Clarke County were scheduled to play again Friday in Grove Hill. If T.R. Miller won the first game, no second game would be played and T.R. Miller would be the area champion.
As area champion, T.R. Miller would host the first round of the playoffs next Friday.
T.R. Miller, who is ranked No. 2 in class 3A, improved to 17-6 overall and to 7-1 in area play.