Texas High splits: Wildcats prevail in duel against Tigers

Texas High pitcher Colby Adkins throws against Sulphur Springs  on Tuesday at Tiger Field in Texarkana, Texas.
Texas High pitcher Colby Adkins throws against Sulphur Springs on Tuesday at Tiger Field in Texarkana, Texas.

Senior Colby Adkins deserved a better fate.

Texas High's hard-throwing righthander allowed only two hits and struck out seven Sulphur Springs batters in six innings of work Tuesday at the Tigers' diamond, but it wasn't good enough as the Wildcats won, 4-0.

Sulphur Springs remains unbeaten in District 16-5A play, while the Tigers fall one game back of the Wildcats and Mount Pleasant, which is where THS plays on Friday.

"The first three innings were tit-for-tat, and then they hit us first," THS coach John McClure said. "We've got to do a better job of minimizing damage. We're a good ball team when we're tied or ahead, but we've got to keep playing and not give up those three-run innings."

McClure was referring to the fourth frame when two Tiger errors and a single by Michael Arnold resulted in three runs for the Wildcats, which was more than enough offense for righthander Ryan Humphries.

Humphries retired the first 10 batters he faced and took a no-hitter into the fifth before Jakob Hearne singled to right. Humphries only struck out four, but got outstanding support defensively, including a diving catch by center fielder Mason Buck to end the game.

"We swung the bats well even though the scoreboard doesn't show it," McClure said. "I bet we hit six, seven or eight line drives. Their pitcher did a good job, walking only one or two. They made the plays when they had to and we didn't. It looks like Sulphur Springs and Hallsville are the two best teams right now. We've just got to get ready for a fight."

Texas High's only scoring opportunity against Humphries came in the seventh after a leadoff walk and wild pitch.

The Wildcats scored their final run in the fifth on a hit batsman, walk and two wild pitches. Heston Golightly had the Cats' only other hit, a single in the first inning.

 

Sulphur Springs    000    310    0    -    4    2    1

Texas High    000    000    0    -    0    1    3

Ryan Humphries and Kyle Dodd; Colby Adkins and Jakob Hearne. WP-Humphries; LP-Adkins.

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