While the Kosciusko 10-0 loss to East Webster to open play last week was far from ideal for head coach Jon Jones, the Whippets' response four days later was more indicative of what he feels his team is capable of doing.
Kosciusko (10-5) rebounded with a 12-3 win over defending MHSAA Class 1A state champion Nanih Waiya to get back in the win column.
The Whippets out-hit the Warriors 12-6 in the contest. Brandon Black and Micah Parker each connected on three hits, while Justin Nunn and Matthew Allen added two hits apiece.
"They didn't play so well the first night against East Webster in any aspect of the game," Jones said. "I thought we played a lot better. Nanih Waiya is the defending state champs, and we got out there and put a lot of pressure on them offensively and defensively."
Black, Parker and Allen each led the way with two RBIs. Nunn added another.
Chase Morgan stole a team-high three bases, and Black, Parker and River Burrell added two swiped bags apiece.
Nolen Yuille earned the pitching win. He threw four innings of three-hit, two-run ball, and he struck out three.
"We were able to manufacture some runs, put a lot of pressure on them when they made mistakes, and we were able to a good job of capitalizing on the mistakes and playing more like how we play with the pressure and small ball," Jones said.
On Saturday, Grenada defeated Kosciusko 11-3.
Black and Nunn had three hits apiece, and despite the lopsided score, Grenada only out-hit Kosciusko 10-8. Nunn provided the Whippets with each their runs, as he tallied a team-best three RBIs.
"Saturday, we played really well; their hits were just in more pressure situations than ours," Jones said. "That was a big deal."
Kosciusko hosts West Point Thursday before playing a home doubleheader Friday against Noxubee County. The Whippets travel to Starkville Saturday.
"West Point will be a really good test," Jones said. "We played them already one time. They're a good 5A team. We go to Starkville on Saturday against a good 6A opponent that beat us earlier this year, so that will be a really tough game, and hopefully, it will get us prepared for the next week when we play Louisville in district."
