Eagles lose to Carthage
Lady Eagles defeat Crockett
BY LELAND ACKER

Eagle 3rd baseman Pax Richey fields a grounder and attempts a throw to 1st base during Rusk's recent 12-0 loss against the Carthage Bulldogs. Rusk is now 5-7 in district play and will finish the season at home against Hudson Friday. PHOTO: LYNN LITTLEJOHN

Playoff hopes for the Rusk Eagles were dashed by a 12-0 loss to the Carthage Bulldogs Friday at Eagle Field. Carthage pitcher Jonathan Baker struck out eight Eagle batters, while the rest of the Rusk lineup struggled against a stout Bulldog defense.

The loss drops Rusk to a 5-7 district record. Carthage advances to 23-0, 12-0 in district. Stephen Halbert was the losing pitcher, but still managed six strike-outs.

Other high points for the Eagles was the outfield play of right fielder Kyle Garner. Garner caught back-to-back fly balls in an effort to slow the Carthage offense in the 3rd inning. Other big catches were made by Brent Jones (center field) and Cody Daniel (left field.) John David Beard nabbed a pop-fly in the 4th to eventually bring that inning to a close.

Garner got on base in the 2nd inning, advancing to 2nd base before being stranded there. Chance Davis was walked in the 4th, but was stranded at 1st. Trent Vaught made the Eagles' only hit in the 5th inning, but was also stranded at first.

The Eagles will conclude their season at 7 p.m. Friday, April 27, at Eagle Field. Their opponent will be the Hudson Hornets.

Lady Eagles split pair

The Lady Eagle Softball team celebrated a win over Crockett, Monday. Rusk beat the Lady Bulldogs 15-4, with Rachel Mahaffey being the winning pitcher. She pitched five innings with no hits, 12 walks and 11 strike-outs.

Mahaffey also led the team in hitting by going 2-4 with a double. Rachel Hicks went 2-4 with a double, Maci Choate went 2-3 with a double and Jeri Hill went 2-3 with a walk.

The Lady Eagles lost to Carthage on April 14 by a score of 3-2. Callie Collins was the losing pitcher, hurling the ball eight innings, allowing only two earned runs. She struck out 12 and walked one. Calah Clark was the lead hitter, going 2-4 with a home run and two RBI's.

Rusk will play Fairfield in the bi-district round of the playoffs, with the site and time to be determined.