Hillsville…It was suppose to be simple. Get three outs, win and go home. Well, it almost became a nightmare as the Cougars defeated the pesky Carroll Co. Cavaliers 15-8. Up 11-0 going into the bottom of the fifth, all the Cougars needed was three outs and the game would be over. Instead they committed three huge errors, hit two Cavalier batters, walked two and Carroll Co. scored 8 runs on four hits as they sent 14 batters to the plate and left the bases loaded to come within three runs 11-8. The Cougars had pulled all their starters but had to re-enter them after that almost disastrous fifth inning. Thomas Anderson finished off the game pitching two innings as he gave up just one hit and struck out one to pick up the save. Hunter Shrewsbury who started on the mound improved to (5-1) on the season going four innings, throwing a two-hit shutout. He also stroked a three-run homer to left field. He ended up going two for four knocking in four and scoring one run to help him on the mound. Senior Tyler Waddell unloaded a grand slam home run in the second inning. He went three for four and scored twice with four RBIs. Camden Underwood hit a solo homer in the first after Shrewsbury had cleaned the bases with his three-run shot. Underwood finished with two hits and scored twice. First baseman Kam Hall was three for three scoring two and knocking in two. Jon Osteen scored three times and had one RBI. Andrew Lowe was one for three scoring twice and had an RBI.

Carroll Co. (5-12) got two hits from Brandt Puckett. Nick Bell and Lance Rotenizer both had two RBIs. Dylan Rodrigue was the starting and losing pitcher as he lasted only one inning surrendering 6 runs on 7 hits.

Pulaski Co. (11-7-1) scored six runs in their first at bat and crossed home plate four more times in the second on Waddell’s grand “salami” to go up 10-0. They would score a lone run in the third to take a commanding 11-0 lead.

After taking out all their starters, Carroll Co. then had their big rally in their fifth. The Cougars would answer them with three runs in the top of the sixth and one more in the seventh.

“I tried to give every one some game experience, and it almost bit us,“ said a relieved Cougar head coach Jared King. “I told the guys after the game that’s how easy a game can turn. I’m proud of how we kept our poise and held on there in the fifth inning. We regrouped and responded. I thought Hunter (Shrewsbury) pitched a heck of a game for us. He allowed only two hits and struck out two. Thomas (Anderson) came in and shut the door for us.” Coach King then added, “Give Carroll Co. some credit. They battled and hit the ball. We helped them some but we hung on and got a big “W”. Glad to see Waddell, Underwood and Hall hit the ball hard today.” The Cougars had a season high 18 hits in the victory. The 11 wins are the most they have collected in a single season since 2012.

The Cougars will play their final home regular season game Thursday versus Salem. It will be “Senior” night as the Cougars will say good-bye to 11 Seniors. First pitch is slated for 5:00 pm. The Cougars will host a playoff game Saturday at 1:00 pm, more than likely against William Fleming.

R H E LOB

Pulaski co. 15 18 3 9

Carroll Co. 8 7 2 8

Pulaski Co. – WP- Shrewsbury – ( 5-1), Save – Anderson

Carroll Co. – LP – Rodrigue

Home Runs- PC – Underwood – (Solo) , Shrewsbury- (3 -Run) , Waddell- (Grand Slam)