Eagles 10-run Roughriders to win Center tournament
Lady Eagles win 3rd at Tyler tournament
BY LELAND ACKER

Cami Curtis winds up a pitch during a warm-up game at the Tyler tournament. The Lady Eagles took 3rd place by beating Grand Saline 4-1, tying Lindale 3-3 and beating Mount Pleasant Chapel Hill 6-4. PHOTO: LYNN LITTLEJOHN

Two words describe the momentum of Rusk Eagle baseball heading into district play, "game on." Rusk won the tournament hosted by district rival Center by defeating the Roughriders 13-1 in five innings.

"Brent Jones had a stellar pitching performance," said Head Coach George Banda.

In the earlier rounds of the tournament, Rusk defeated San Augustine 11-7, with pitcher Chance Davis picking up the win for the Eagles.

Rusk then defeated Central Heights 7-5, with Stephen Halbert on the mound. The Eagles defeated Center in the finals.

Three Rusk Eagles, Chance Davis, Stephen Halbert and Adam Hicks, earned All-Tournament honors while Pax Richey was named tournament MVP.

The tournament win gives Rusk a 5-5 record on the season heading into district play.

Eagles defeat Sabine

The Rusk Eagles defeated the Sabine Cardinals 4-3 with Halbert pitching five innings and Davis making the save.

Lead hitters for the Eagles were Chris Walley, Hicks, Kyle Garner and Halbert. Walley hit a double while Hicks, Garner and Halbert all had singles.

The Eagles will play in the Lindale tournament with games beginning on Thursday. Their next district game is March 16 at Center. The JV plays at 4:30 p.m., followed by the varsity at 6:30 p.m.

Lady Eagles compete in Tyler

The Rusk Lady Eagles took home the 3rd place trophy from the Tyler tournament, despite not losing a game. The Lady Eagles beat Grand Saline 4-1, tied Lindale 3-3 and beat Mt. Pleasant Chapel Hill 6-4 in the 3rd place round. Lindale won the tie due to the tiebreaker rule.

The Lady Eagles host Hudson on Friday with JV games beginning at 4:30 p.m.