Russellville sweeps Hamilton

The Golden Tigers got regular season area play started with a home win over the Aggies March 19.

Trailing 2-1 in the fifth inning, RHS put together a rally to take the lead. Nathan Brockway started things off with a single and then moved to second base on a wild pitch. A bunt then got him to third, and Casen Heaps drove Brockway home with a single to tie the score.

Then, Devin Buckhalter drove Heaps home with a hit, and Jackson Lindsey finished off the big inning with a two-run home run to make the winning score 5-2.

Caden Parker got the start on the mound for Russellville, and he pitched six innings to get the win. Parker allowed two runs, with one being earned. He struck out six and walked a batter.

Rowe Gallagher came on to pitch the last inning, and he allowed no runs or hits while striking out two Aggies.

“I was proud of our guys for not quitting,” said Russellville head coach Chris Heaps. “That’s one of the things we’ve been talking about – playing the complete seven innings and trying to stay positive.”

Russellville traveled to Hamilton for a double header March 21, and the Golden Tigers took both games, 8-3 and 13-6.

Gallagher got the win in game one, and Gordon White got the save for RHS. Gallagher went five innings and allowed three runs, with two of them being earned. He struck out four and walked two, while White allowed no runs and one hit.

Buckhalter had three hits, including two doubles for Russellville. Cole Barnett also had two doubles, and White added a triple. Hunter Briles and Parker had two hits each, while Lindsey, Heaps and Will Rogers had one hit apiece.

In game two, RHS scored nine runs in the game’s final two innings to sweep Hamilton. The Aggies led 6-4 going into the sixth when Russellville picked up a run, and then RHS plated eight more runs in the top of the seventh.

Buckhalter, Briles, Brockway and John David Bishop all had two hits apiece to lead RHS. Barnett, Parker and Rogers had 1 hit each with Bishop, Briles and Parker picking up doubles. Jackson Lindsey walked 3 times, scored twice and had an RBI.

Tanner James got the start and went 3.1 innings. He was followed by JD Bishop, Nate Green and Gordon White.

Russellville 3, Fort Payne 0

Russellville went to Fort Payne Saturday for a double header and picked up the sixth-straight win in game one of the day.

The two teams were scoreless through seven innings before the Golden Tigers scored three times in the eighth. RHS outhit Fort Payne 6-4 and played errorless defense.

Buckhalter pitched the game’s first 6.2 innings for Russellville. He threw 95 pitches and gave up three hits. He struck out four and walked four before White came on to pitch 1.1 innings, and he allowed a hit and a walk.

At the plate, White had a double and two RBIs. Barnett and Briles picked up two hits each, while Buckhalter also had a single.

Fort Payne 13, Russellville 8

Game two went Fort Payne’s way in a high-scoring contest. Lindsey went 3-for-4 to lead RHS at the plate. Buckhalter, Briles, White and Gallagher all had two hits each.

Bishop, Green, Parker and Lindsey did the pitching for Russellville, with Bishop getting the start. RHS pitchers combined for six strike outs, but they also allowed six walks.

Hewitt-Trussville 14, Russellville 6

The Gulf Coast Classic began Monday, and RHS struggled in game one of the day in Spanish Fort.

Buckhalter and Briles both had good games with the bat, as they had three hits apiece. Gallagher and Bishop did the pitching for Russellville.

Russellville 17, Morristown-Hamblen West 6

Game two of the day Monday in Spanish Fort went Russellville’s way, as the Golden Tigers defeated the Trojans from Tennessee.

Rogers hit his first varsity home run for the Golden Tigers (8-11), and Buckhalter also homered to help RHS. Rogers and Lindsey had four hits each, and all of the hits by Lindsey were doubles, while Rogers also picked up a triple and had six RBIs. Buckhalter had three hits, while Barnett, Briles and Heaps all had one hit apiece.

White got the win on the mound by pitching three innings before Lindsey came on to close out the win.