On a beautiful late winter day in Pelahatchie, MS, Ethel's bats were hotter than the 80-degree weather. The Tigers had 12 hits — including three home runs — in a 17-3 victory over Pelahatchie. The game lasted only four innings.“I have been challenging the kids by playing really good teams,” said Coach Chris Schuster. “We have been seeing 85 to 88 miles per hour fast balls for three weeks now. So, when we saw 72 miles per hour fast balls, it looked like a beach ball.”Ethel scored five runs before Pelahatchie starting pitcher Kody Watson retired the first batter. Alex Schuster was hit on the first pitch, Cyrus Rone singled, Braxton Rone reached on an error that brought in the first run, Tyler Weaver doubled in two runs, and Hayden Graves followed with a two-run homer over the right field fence.Things were going so well for the Tigers two pop ups fell in. Austin Hanson found the perfect spot in short right center, just out of reach of the shortstop, left fielder and centerfielder. When Reeves Threadgill hit a pop up over the mound, second baseman Hayden Huff came charging in, but was unable to make the play.Six first inning runs were duplicated with six in the second, capped off with a grand slam by Cyrus Rone. The Tigers scored five more in the fourth, highlighted by a homer by Schuster, who reached base four straight times. He might have set some kind of record when he was hit twice in the same inning.Even in the one inning when Ethel did not score, the third, there were two deep flies to right.Kameron McCuller and Gabe Cain each pitched two innings. Cain was especially effective, allowing no hits, with two strikeouts.Pelahatchie threatened to get back in the game in the bottom of the first. Two singles and a double produced a run and put runners at second and third with one out. But McCuller was able to pitch out of further damage with a pop up and a ground out.“That was important,” Coach Schuster said.Cyrus Rone led the offense with a homer, two singles and walk. Weaver had a double, two singles and scored three runs.The Tigers played errorless ball. Braxton Rone at shortstop made a strong relay to gun down a runner at the plate in the fourth inning.Ethel began a four-game spring break trip to Gulf Shores, AL, Monday with a 12-1 loss to Gallatin of Tennessee. Graves drove in the Tigers’ run with a double. Weaver had a single and a double.Ethel’s first Region 5-1A game will be April 30 at Noxapater.
