Sports Editor

Dothan’s Steffan Hughes won a pitching duel between himself and CHHS’s Clint Pugh as the Tigers picked up their first win of the season with a 2-1 win over the Trojans at the Terry Sikes Memorial Tournament on Monday night.

Both pitchers gave up just two hits in the game. The Trojans took a 1-0 lead in the first as Brett Pierce was walked by Hughes and driven home two batter’s later by a Justin Sims’ single.

That would be about it, offensively, for CHHS.

Pugh had a line-drive single in the bottom of the sixth as the Trojans attempted a rally with two outs, down 2-1. But Sims popped out to end the inning.

In the seventh, Hughes retired Fred Jones at the plate, Pete Van Horn grounded out and Chase Kelly popped out to second.

Hughes struck out four batters in the game and issued two walks. Pugh struck out five, walked none, but did hit two Tiger batters.

The two hits allowed by Pugh all came in the top of the third. Ryan Odom and Colby Kirkland started off with singles, but the Trojans almost got out of the inning alive as shortstop Blake Phelps snagged a Thomas Sherrer ground ball, tossed the ball to Pierce at second, who then turned the double play with a throw to first.

Odom came home on an error to tie the game up and Brent Nance gave Dothan the lead when he scored on a wild pitch from Pugh.

Adam Christiansen threatened to increase Dothan’s lead from third base, but Pugh got the final out at the plate.

The loss was the third straight for CHHS, which also dropped a 3-0 decision to Enterprise last Friday night.

Van Horn was charged with the loss for CHHS in that game. The sophomore sat down the first 10 EHS batters, before giving up a one-out single in the fourth.

Scotty Davis picked up the win for the Wildcats, striking out seven.

Alex Long had a single for the Trojans as did Van Horn. Sims had a double.

The Trojans played Mosely High School of Florida late Tuesday.