Newton County was swept this past week by rival West Lauderdale in Division 5-4A play, falling 14-0 and 11-1.
The Cougars responded with a 10-5 win at Neshoba Central on Saturday.
Newton County, 4-4, will return to action this week as they are scheduled to participate in the Stringer Tournament on Thursday and Friday before going to Southeast Lauderdale on Saturday for a 4 p.m. contest. On Thursday, County will play Southeast Lauderdale at 12:45 p.m. at Stringer and on Friday, the Cougars will play Presbyterian Christian at 10:30 a.m.
County 10, Neshoba Central 5
After a pair of tough mid-week losses to West Lauderdale, the Cougars rebounded with a five-run win over Neshoba on Saturday.
Each team scored two runs in the first inning and County led 5-4 after two innings. County then scored four runs in the third and one in the seventh to take the win.
County had five hits in the contest but took advantage of 10 walks by Neshoba. Tyson Wood had a double and drove in two runs while Cole Shimfessel and Gage Hollingsworth both singled and drove in two runs. Rod Evans walked three times and scored twice while Tucker Fitch walked twice and scored twice.
Tyson Cavenaugh pitched the first 4 2/3 innings and picked up the win, giving up five runs, only one earned, on five hits and six walks while striking out three. Tyson Wood pitched 2 1/3 innings and only gave up one hit and one walk to pick up the save.
West Lauderdale 14, County 0
The Cougars fell behind early and the Knights cruised to a run-rule victory.
West scored five in the first and second and two in the third and fourth innings.
West outhit Newton County 13-1 in the contest as the Cougars struck out 12 times.
County’s only hit came from Rod Evans.
Hayden West started the game and lasted just one-plus inning, giving up 10 runs on seven hits while striking out three. Tyler Cavenaugh pitched the final three innings, giving up four runs on six this while striking out six as well.
West Lauderdale 11, County 1
The Knights swept the Division 5-4A series from the Cougars with a 10-run win on Friday.
After each team scored one run in the first, West scored two in the third and fourth and finished off with one in the fifth and seventh with four in the sixth.
West outhit County 13-3 while the Cougars committed six errors in the field.
Rod Evans singled and scored County’s only run while Cole Shimfessel had a double and Tyson Wood also singled. David Burton had County’s only RBI while Gage Hollingsworth walked twice.
Jacob Hitt started and pitched the first four innings, giving up five runs, only one earned, on four hits and four walks while striking out three. Gatlin Huber pitched the final three, giving up six runs on nine hits while striking out two.
