Eagles suffer Bulldog blues
Rusk baseball falls apart against Crockett, softball picks up another win
BY LELAND ACKER STAFF WRITER

Eagle first baseman Chris Walley warms up before batting during the Eagles' game with the Crockett Bulldogs. Walley hit 1-1 and stole 2nd base before being stranded there in the 2nd inning. PHOTO: LYNN LITTLEJOHN

A tough 1st inning for Eagle pitcher Stephen Halbert was only the beginning of sorrows for the Rusk Eagles as they fell to the Crockett Bulldogs 25-1 Tuesday at Eagle Field.

Crockett took an 8-1 lead after the 1st inning, when their base runners were able to score on a couple of Eagle errors.

Rusk short stop Adam Hicks was able to put the Eagles on the board in the bottom of the 1st by slamming a double into left field, then working his way toward home.

However, a salty Bulldog defense halted the Eagle bats quickly.

The Eagles appeared to be back on track by keeping Crockett off the boards in the top of the 2nd inning, but a grand slam hit by Bulldog pitcher Dustin Wyble in the top of the 3rd got the Crockett bats going again.

The loss was the first for Rusk, setting up a district showdown with Carthage Friday. Crockett's record was evened up at 2-2.

The Rusk Eagles fell to the Carthage Bulldogs 14-1 Friday. Rusk now has a 3-2 district record. Carthage is 5-0 in district.

Lady Eagles slam Crockett

The game between the Lady Eagles and the Lady Bulldogs was exactly the opposite of that of the boys. Rusk defeated Crockett 18-0, with the game being called after the 3rd inning.

Cammi Curtis was the winning pitcher with no runs, no hits, two strike outs and two walks.

Rachel Mahaffey pitched the 3rd inning with no hits, no runs and two strike outs. Mahaffey also batted 2-3 with one double and one home run.

Sierra Smith was the lead hitter, batting 3-3 with three doubles. Calah Clark was 3- 3 with two doubles. Hillary Hugghins was also 3-3. Alison Bowling and Curtis batted 2-2. The win lifted Rusk to a 4-1 district record.

Carthage edges Lady Eagles

In a struggle to the finish, the Carthage Lady Bulldogs got past the Rusk Lady Eagles 2-1 in Carthage Friday.

The loss drops Rusk to a 4- 2 district record, as the Lady Eagles sit in the 3rd place spot.

Rusk pitcher Callie Collins suffered her second loss of the season, but still only allowed five hits, two walks and two earned runs. She struck out eight batters.

Carthage also played good defense. The Lady Eagles only managed one hit, which was made by Rachel Hicks.

Rusk faces Hudson Friday.

The Rusk baseball and softball teams travel to Hudson Friday. JV softball begins at 4:30 p.m. and the varsity will play at 6:30 p.m. The JV baseball game will begin at 4:30 p.m. with the varsity beginning at 7 p.m.

Rusk travels to Diboll on April 3, then returns home to face Huntington on April 5. The softball game against Huntington will be broadcast live on KWRW 97.7 FM.