explode on offense in double-header

By KEVIN PEARCEY

Sports Writer

The Straughn Tigers took it to Goshen twice yesterday in a doubleheader, beating the Eagles by the combined score of 23-2.

The Tigers turned an early defensive battle into a 12-0 rout in the first game and took the second one by the final score of 11-2.

In the first game, both sides played stellar defense early on in the first few innings, before SHS erupted to score six runs in the top of the fourth. Jeffery Odom hit a one run double to get things started for Straughn and then Brian Goodson dropped an RBI single into right field. A sacrifice bunt by Brock Bracewell allowed two more Straughn runners to score, before Eagles pitcher Jason Burgens was able to retire the side.

"We were playing great defense early on and Burgens was pitching well," said Eagles coach Chad Dube. "But I’ve been stressing all year that we can’t give up the big inning and then we give up six runs and that killed us."

Goshen, meanwhile, was just trying to find a way to get to third base.

Dee Brundidge was caught in the first advancing to third and in the second Brandon Nicholson was tagged on the back by a diving Justin Clark, who had been pulled off of the bag by the catcher Casey Waite’s throw. Following that out, Goshen’s Lionel Potts was caught by Clark at third and this time the throw by Waite was perfect.

Second base would be as far as Goshen could get for most of the day.

"Our batting was really anemic today," Dube said. "We’ve been working on it, but we’ve got to find something that works. These guys have been up and down, hot and cold all year. A lot of it is just mental preparation. Physically, they’re capable."

Brandon Hooks started on the mound for the Eagles in the second game and after giving up one run was able to settle down and finish the first inning with two straight strike outs. Hooks struck out 10 Straughn batters on the day.

Dube said that the second game was lost for the same reason the first one was; poor hitting and giving up the big inning.Up 2-0, in the top of the third, SHS added four more runs, while the Eagles were popping up easy outs and ground balls.

"We started good," he said. "Brandon bowed up and was holding them down at the plate and then we just fell apart again."

Brundidge tripled in the sixth inning and was then brought home by a Potts single to prevent the Eagles from being shut out in the second game. Dube said that its been tough going this year, but he has faith that his team will persevere through the hard times.

"This team is very young," he said. " We’re trying to build a program here and we’re going to build things the right way. It’s going to take time, but these guys have been working hard and they’re getting better."