Published: April 23, 2008 12:03 pm            

County sweeps Collins in 3A opener

DECATUR — Newton County breezed past Collins in the opening round of the Class 3A baseball playoffs, sweeping the Tigers 11-1 and 17-2 Saturday in Decatur.

“I’m just glad it wasn’t a long series,” Newton County coach Wyatt Tullos said. “Raining out Friday didn’t hurt us. We didn’t have to make a trip.”

Newton County closed out its regular season with a 12-7 victory at Clarkdale earlier in the week. The Cougars improved to 24-6 with the three wins.

Next up for the Cougars is a second round best-of-three series with Purvis with games slated for Thursday at Decatur, Friday at Purvis, and Saturday, if needed, at Northwest Rankin. All three have 6 p.m. starts.

Purvis had no problem with Jefferson County in the opening round as the Tornadoes swept the Fayette team 13-3 and 15-2.

“They’ll be pretty salty,” Tullos said. “Of course, we’ve got a pretty good ballclub. It’ll be a good series.”



Newton County 12, Clarkdale 7

The Cougars wrapped up their regular season with the five-run win at Clarkdale on April 14. Newton County scored three runs in both the third and fourth frames and added four more in the top of the sixth to take an 11-2 lead.

Cole Harris (5-1) threw 3 1/3 innings of shutout relief to get the win.

Harris struck out three and allowed one walk and three hits.

Drew Wilson tossed the first 3 2/3 innings, allowing four runs (two earned) on three hits and three walks. He struck out two.

Jeremy May went 3-for-4 and ripped a three-run homer to lead the Cougars as they improved to 22-6.

Wilson went 2-for-5 with a three-run homer and a double to drive in four runs. Jose Acosta had a pair of singles and Harris had a double.

Clark Boatner homered for Clarkdale, 16-7, while Davey Knight had a pair of doubles.

Knight took the loss.



Newton County 11-17, Collins 1-2

After Friday’s game at Collins was rained out, the teams met in a doubleheader Saturday afternoon at Decatur with the Cougars disposing of the Tigers with ease.

Newton County cruised 11-1 in the opener and followed it up with a 17-2 spanking in Game 2.

In the opener, Newton County scored four runs in both the first and third frames and added three more in the fourth.

The Cougars had nine hits with Cole Harris getting two singles and a double to drive in three runs. Tyler Laird had two singles and two RBI. Jeremy May had a home run and two RBI.

Tyler Davis (6-3) tossed a two-hitter in the five-inning win, striking out seven with no walks.

Davis Lawrence took the loss.

In Game 2, the Cougars needed just three innings to finish off the Tigers as they scored four runs in the first inning, nine in the second, and four more in the third.

Drew Wilson (4-0) got the win, allowing two hits and one walk.

Newton County had 10 hits in improving to 24-6. Davis had a single and a double. Justin Gates had a solo homer. Harris and Brian Felton both had a double and two RBI. Wilson had a double, while Laird had a single and two RBI. Trenton Evans also had a single.

Kyle Logan took the loss as Collins finished 4-13.

        

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