Huntland's Caleb Maxwell swings at a pitch in this file photo from earlier in the season. Maxwell had three hits and four RBIs for the Hornets Tuesday in their 8-5 win against Fayetteville City High School.
Huntland's Caleb Maxwell swings at a pitch in this file photo from earlier in the season. Maxwell had three hits and four RBIs for the Hornets Tuesday in their 8-5 win against Fayetteville City High School.
The Huntland High School Hornets beat the Fayetteville Tigers 8-5 at home Tuesday for their ninth win of the season.
The Hornets did most of their scoring in the middle innings to overcome a slight early deficit as they secured a season sweep of the Tigers.
The Tigers scored three runs before the first out of the game was recorded to put the Hornets in a decent hole to start the day.
The Hornets answered back with five runs in the bottom of the third as Evan Keller got the scoring started with an RBI single.
A sacrifice fly off the bat of Matthew Dickson and additional RBI singles from Caleb Maxwell, Grant Jernigan and Blaine Counts provided the other runs for the frame to give the Hornets a 5-3 advantage.
The Hornets added to the lead in the bottom of the fourth as Maxwell came through with a two-out, two-run double to make it a 7-3 game.
The Tigers loaded the bases in the top of the sixth and went on to score two runs in the frame to put the score at 7-5 late, but the Hornets got one of those runs back on an RBI fielder’s choice from Maxwell to bring the deficit back up to 8-5.
A pair of two-out walks allowed the Tigers to bring the potential tying run to the plate in the top of the seventh, but the next batter struck out as the Hornets clinched the win by three.
Maxwell pitched the first five innings for the Hornets with seven strikeouts, three hits, four walks, one earned run and two unearned runs allowed.
Chandler Banks pitched the last two innings in relief with four strikeouts, two hits, four walks, one earned run and one unearned run allowed.
With the win, the Hornets improved to 9-8 on the season and 4-2 in district play.
They will next play Wednesday at home against Community High School. First pitch is scheduled for 6:30 p.m.
