Top-ranked Tigers keep rolling with sweep of Decatur

The top-ranked team in 6A baseball continued rolling this past week with a three-game sweep over area rival Decatur.

The Tigers’ pitching staff, one of the most dominant in the state in any classification, gave up three hits in the three-game series while striking out 26 Red Raider batters.

Hartselle 11, Decatur 0
Caleb Pittman turned in another dominating performance on the mound, leading Hartselle to an 11-0 win over Decatur. He struck out nine and allowed one hit in his five-inning complete game.

Coleman Mizell and Greyson Howard each finished with three hits to lead the Tigers’ offense. Mizzell had three doubles, scored two runs and had an RBI. Howard scored two runs and had two RBIs. Cade Miles, Eli Tidwell and Cam Palahach had two hits. Miles had a three-run homer.

Hartselle 15, Decatur 0
Hartselle clinched the series and another berth in the playoffs with a 15-0 win over Decatur Friday.

The Tigers proved they were more than a one-trick pony in the win, as their offense exploded for nine runs in the second inning to seal the victory. Brodie Morrow, Elliott Bray and Eli Tidwell hit home runs in the inning.

The offense had a season-high 20 hits in the victory. Miles and Howard each had three hits, while Tidwell, Mizell, Morrow and Palahach had two hits. Morrow led the team with four RBIs, while Tidwell, Mizell, Bray and Miles each had two RBIs.

Bray got the start and struck out six while allowing only one hit in a five-inning complete game. He only needed to throw 51 pitches to finish the game.

Hartselle 17, Decatur 1
JoJo Williamson had seven RBIs with three doubles, a sac-fly and a walk to lead Hartselle to a 17-1 win over Decatur in the second game Friday. He had an RBI in every inning of the victory.

Peyton Steele had three hits, including a home run, and finished with four RBIs. Miles had a double and two RBIs.

William Turner and Jack Smith combined to one-hit the Red Raiders. Turner finished with five strikeouts in two innings of work, while Smith struck out six in three innings.

The Red Raiders ended the Tigers’ 29-inning scoreless streak with a run in the bottom of the fifth.

Through two series, Hartselle has outscored opponents 76-1 while combining for 31 extra-base hits. Tiger pitchers have been just as strong, with 59 strikeouts in 30 innings.