After splitting a pair of 4-2 games with Manchester Academy, the Central Holmes Trojans finally knocked the rust off the bats on Wednesday.
The Trojans finally got going at the plate and beat the Mavericks 16-6 to take the series win and advance in the Class AA playoffs.
But apparently, not all the rust was gone as the Trojans were no-hit on Monday in game 1 of the Class AA semifinals.
Central Holmes moves to 16-7 on the season and travel to Tri-County on Tuesday for a 1 p.m. contest. If the Trojans split, they would play immediately after game 2 on Tuesday.
Tri-County 15, Central Holmes 0
After taking two out of three from Manchester, the Trojans were hammered in game 1 of the Class AA semifinal series on Monday.
Tri-County scored nine in the second inning, four in the third and two in the fourth and held Central Holmes hitless.
Tri-County only had six hits but took advantage of 12 walks and six errors by the Trojans.
The only Trojans to reach base were Wes Hudson and Landon Rawson who were hit by a pitch.
Rawson pitched the first 2 1/3 innings and gave up 11 runs, only three earned on four hits and eight walks while striking out two. Josh Haymer pitched the last 1 2/3 innings and gave up four runs, only one earned on two hits and four walks.
Central Holmes 16, Manchester 6
The Trojans bounced back from a game 2 loss to take a run-rule win in the second game of the day on Wednesday.
Central Holmes scored five runs in the first and fifth inning while adding two in the second and four in the third. Manchester scored one in the fourth and five in the fifth.
Central Holmes outhit Manchester 10-4 and drew seven walks. Landon Rawson was 2-for-3 with a pair of doubles and three runs scored. Barrett Fondren was 2-for-3 with three RBIs while Eli Steen doubled, scored twice and had three RBIs. Peyton Killebrew doubled, scored two runs and had two RBIs. Noah Steen scored two runs, two stolen bases and had two RBIs while Josh Haymer had drew three walks and scored two runs. Alex Arnold was hit by a pitch twice and scored two runs.
Noah Steen started on the mound and pitched five innings and gave up four runs on five hits while striking out four. Jackson Ellis also gave up two runs on two walks.
Manchester 4, Central Holmes 2
The Mavericks took game 2 of the series with a two-run win in the first game of the day on Wednesday.
Each team scored a run in the this inning while Manchester scored two in the top of the fifth. Central Holmes answered with one in the bottom of the fifth and Manchester put the game away with a run in the top of the seventh.
Manchester outhit Central Holmes 7-3 in the contest. Landon Rawson had a double and drove in a run while Nathan Taylor singled and had an RBI. Peyton Killebrew scored twice while Wes Hudson also had a single.
Hudson pitched all seven innings for the Trojans, giving up four runs on seven hits and three walks.
Central Holmes 4, Manchester 2
The Trojans scored three runs in the top of the seventh and held on to take a two-run win over the Mavericks in game 1 of the series on Tuesday.
Manchester struck first with a run in the fourth and Central Holmes answered with one in the fifth. The game was tied 1-1 going into the seventh when Central Holmes scored three runs in the top of the frame to take the win.
Central Holmes had six hits as Wes Hudson was 2-for-4 with an RBI. Alex Arnold doubled and walked twice while Josh Haymer and Eli Steen also drew two walks. Noah Steen had two RBIs while Barrett Fondren also had a double.
Landon Rawson pitched all seven innings, giving up two runs on seven hits and four walks while striking out seven.
