Russellville opens tourney with 9-3 win

By Staff
Scot Beard
The Russellville baseball team got off to a strong start in the TimesDaily Classic Tournament Monday night with a 9-3 win against Central.
The Golden Tigers (5-5) scored six runs in the first inning to seize control early. They added another in the second to increase their lead to 7-0.
Central would not go down without a fight, however. The Wildcats had two batters reach base in the fifth before Jordan Linzey drove the runners home with a three-run homer.
Russellville pitcher Ryan Bowling, who had little trouble early said the blast did not bother him.
"(Catcher Jonas Boyles) told me I did a great job the whole game and not to let it get to me," Bowling said.
He also said he knew the defense was playing well so he did not feel the need to overpower every Central batter.
Bowling pitched a complete game, allowing four hits and striking out nine. He only issued one walk as he improved to 2-1 on the mound for the Golden Tigers.
Casey Herring led Russellville with a double and a single while J.T. Watkins and T.J. Lindsey had two singles each.
Boyles and Nathan Vincent each doubled while Jake Ward, John Batchelor, Mitch Mitchell and Collin Bradford each singled. Ward also drew three walks.
Tourney postponed
Russellville was scheduled to resume pool play in the tournament Tuesday night, but the poor weather forced a postponement.
All games for Tuesday have been shifted to Thursday and the games originally scheduled for Thursday have been cancelled.
The Golden Tigers will host Mars Hill at 4 p.m. Thursday.
After the conclusion of Thursday's games, the teams will be seeded and elimination games will be played Friday.
The semifinals and finals of the tournament will be played Saturday.