By Caleb Adams

Leader Correspondent

 

ORANGEFIELD- Carrying on their winning ways in District 22-3A action, the Orangefield Bobcats took care of the Hardin Hornets after a 14-4 ten-run ruling on Tuesday night.

The Bobcats (9-7, 5-0), in first-place in the 22-3A race, used a hammering offense to really ruffle the Hornets nest as Hardin didn’t have many counter punches to resist.

Orangefield’s bats were virtually on fire all night long, with the top of the lineup coming up to bat in each inning the Bobcats took swings.

Johnny Armstrong would be heavily involved with a 3-for-3 night including a double, two singles, a walk, three runs scored, a RBI and four stolen bases. A real five tool player was Armstrong as he came in relief to pitch for the Bobcats as well, after starting in center field. The entire lineup hit well for the team, but Armstrong really stood out Tuesday.

The Hornets struck first in the top of the first inning. Liam Beavsdeil led off with a walk. After a grounder moved him to second Hunter Caldwell brought him home with a single down the right field line. The Bobcats would find a double play after to end the top of the first.

Armstrong created his own run for the Bobcats in the bottom of the first inning. Armstrong doubled to right center to lead off the inning. During the next at bat, Johnny stole third base and on a bad throw he was able to take home as well to even the score.

With two outs in the same inning Mason Gonzalez found a pitch to lift over the left-center fence for a solo home run to take the lead for the Bobcats in a commanding way. The Bobcats weren’t done as they found a string of hits and walks to extend their lead. Gunner Jones would be knocked in by Blake Bradley, thanks to a hard single. Landen Tomlinson would drive in Tyler Washington with another single, and Ryan Trahan would hit the third single of the inning and bring in both Bradley and Tomlinson.

That wouldn’t be it for the first inning as Armstrong would hit for the second time in the inning and single in another RBI for the team, driving in Trahan from first after the ball was bobbled on the play. Orangefield would score a whopping seven runs in the opening salvo and took a commanding 7-1 lead on the Hornets.

Hardin wouldn’t make it easy with more runs in the top of the third. Beavsdeil would launch one into the trees with Caden Elmore on first base to cut the massive lead the Bobcats had created. The Hornets would load the bases later in the inning, but nothing would come of it as the Bobcats defense was able to stop the bleeding as Orangefield led 7-3 heading into the bottom of the third.

The Bobcats’ offense would pick up again in the bottom of the third with the top of the lineup. Armstrong bunted to reach first, stole second and third base and then got driven in by Kent Micheal. Kadeon Evans would rope a double to left field and Gonzalez would walk to load the bases, Jones would single to score Micheal and Evans from second and third.

Much like the first inning the Bobcats strung together a crooked number with two outs in the inning. Blake Bradley would extend the inning with a long double, which scored Gonzalez and Jones. Tomlinson would bloop a single to score Bradley from second base on the very next pitch, making the lead a booming 10 runs as Orangefield led 13-3 after three frames.

The Hornets scored another run in the top of the fourth inning. Dylan Balch would find a hit with Elmore and Beavseil on first and second base to drive in Elmore. That’s all the Hornets would be able to get as they cut the lead to 13-4 Bobcats heading to the bottom of the fourth inning.

Orangefield’s offense didn’t want to let up as they continued the onslaught in the fourth inning. Mason Gonzalez would double to drive in Armstrong, who walked to lead off the inning. That’s all they would get, making it 14-4 after four.

The Bobcats will host a big game Friday when they welcome in the Buna Cougars.