The Coppinger Tournament Championship came to an end Saturday as the Honaker Tigers beat the Pulaski Co. Cougars 8-2. Honaker got great pitching from their southpaw starter Chris Marshall. Marshall tossed six innings giving up just two hits and striking out seven. Marshall, Chase Miller, and Levi Miller all had two RBIs. Chase Miller and Hartley Hilton each had two hits for the Tigers.

Pulaski Co. had Honaker and Marshall on the ropes in the first inning. The Cougars could just push just one run across, even though the Tigers committed three errors and Marshall walked two, threw a wild pitch. They left the bases loaded and Marshall then got tough the rest of the way.

The Cougars (5-3) only hits came from Bailey Ayers in the first and Jon Osteen in the fifth. Only four Cougar batters reached base after that first inning. Trent Blankenship and Drew Mabry scored the two Cougar runs. ” Honaker made some great plays defensively and they kept the pressure on us offensively,” said Cougar head coach Jared King. ” They will be tough to beat in their district and in region play, I would think. My off is off to them.”

The Cougars found themselves tied at one after one and then their starting pitcher Hunter Shrewsbury threw a pitch and hurt his throwing arm and had to come out of the game. Jon Osteen came in and gave up a hit to Shawn Tiller. Bryson Kendrick then hit into a force play at third but with two outs Chase Miller hit a two-run single to right center for the Tigers and they never relinquished the lead.

Pulaski Co Cougar players; Trent Blankenship, Bailey Ayers and Jon Osteen made the all-tournament team.

Pulaski Co. will take on undefeated Salem Tuesday at Salem, weather permitting. First pitch at Kiwanis Field will be at 5:00 pm.

Honaker – 8 R – 8 H – 4 E – 10 LOB

Pulaski Co. – 2 R – 2H – 1E – 5 LOB

Honaker – WP – Marshall

Pulaski Co. – LP- Osteen ( 0-1)