tournament competition

By RICKY COUCH

Sports Writer

The Charles Henderson High School Trojans were able to sweep a pair of games Wednesday at "Hogan’s Hole" to remain perfect on the young season.

The Trojans were able to outscore their opponents 18-1 in two blow-out games that highlighted some great pitching and defense by CHHS.

In the first game the Trojans struggled early falling behind the Andalusia Bulldogs 1-0 at the end of one, but pitcher Chris Boswell settled down to dominate the game and hold the Bulldogs scoreless the rest of the way.

CHHS head coach Steve Garrett was pleased with the performance of his pitcher.

"He threw hard and gained confidence as the game went on," Garrett said. "That’s what we want right now."

After the Trojans were able to take a four-run second inning the Bulldogs never stood a chance. The Trojans scored two runs in the third and racked up five in the fifth to end the game early by the "mercy rule" 11-1.

Boswell took the win for the Trojans going all five innings allowing and allowing only four hits and the one run. Boswell had no walks while striking out five.

The Trojans were led at the plate by Will Jones who went 2 for 2 with an RBI, Jason Barron and Jonathan Neeley who both went 1 for 3 with 2 RBI’s and Scott Stetson who added 2 RBI’s of his own.

The Trojans looked even more impressive in the night cap.

Kevin Stephens was able to take a no-hitter into the seventh inning in the Trojans’ 7-0 romp of Wicksburg.

Neither team had much offense early, but Kevin Neeley’s double off the wall in the second gave the Trojans a boost. Chris Boswell was able to capitalize and bring Neeley across the plate to put the Trojans up 1-0.

The CHHS offense sputtered, but luckily the outstanding pitching of Kevin Stephens allowed the Trojans to remain in the lead. Neeley again got things started with his bat sending a solo-blast over the wall in the fifth. The Trojans began to take care of business and by the end of the fifth they led 6-0.

Jarod Kelly was able to steal his way to third and cross the plate to round out the Trojan scoring in the seventh and give them a 7-0 pad. Stephens took the mound in the seventh to try to close the no-hitter, but a screaming fly ball was able to find its way into the Trojan outfield for the Panthers only hit.

The Trojans sat down the rest of the Panthers to claim the 7-0 win. Stephens was impressive in the game going 7-innings allowing only one hit while striking out nine. Garrett was excited about Stephens future.

"If he can start the season like he ended this one he can take us a long way," Garrett said.

Jonathan Neeley was the man for the Trojans at the plate going 2 for 2 with 1 RBI coming on his solo home run.

Garrett feels that this team has great potential.

"They are building their confidence and they are only going to get better," said Garrett.

The Trojans are now 3-0 and hosts Dothan Saturday at noon.