Ethel completed a spring break trip to Foley, Alabama, with a win and two losses against strong out-of-state competition. The Tigers defeated Washington of Tulsa, Oklahoma, 4-2, but lost to Metro Christian of Tulsa 3-1 and Brookwood of Brookwood, Alabama, 9-0.Reeves Threadgill and Braxton Rone combined on a two-hitter against Washington. “We had some good timely hitting and we only made one error,” said Coach Chris Schuster.”Alex Schuster led the offense with two doubles.An inability to get clutch hits haunted Ethel in the two losses. The Tigers left 13 on base against Metro Christian. “We had every opportunity to win that game, but we couldn't get a two-out hit,” Coach Schuster said.It was the same story against Brookwood. The Tigers were blanked despite outhitting the Panthers 7-6. “We'd get two hits, then we'd get two strikeouts. We have to have better at bats,” Schuster said. “There were too many strikeouts (nine). We just have to put it all together.”Alex Schuster had three more doubles, giving him five in a row. “That might be a record,” said his coach and father.Ethel has home games Friday and Saturday with Neshoba Central and Pelahatchie and plays Noxapater twice next week in Region 5-1A competition. The Tigers are 1-0 in region play with a win over McAdams.Schuster said his team has been facing quality pitching. “I'm hoping that when we get into district and see average pitching, we will hit it all over the park,” he said.That was the case in an earlier game against Pelahatchie with 12 hits, including three home runs, in a 17-3 victory.
