Rusk beats Hudson, falls to Devillettes
BY LELAND ACKER

PHOTO: LYNN LITTLEJOHN Kristen Joyner (6) and Sierra Smith congratulate each other after a great play during a recent game between Rusk and Hudson. Rusk defeated Hudson 2-1 Tuesday before falling to Huntington 3-0 Saturday. The Lady Eagles host Crockett at 6:30 p.m. Friday.

The Rusk Lady Eagles solidified their second place standing in District 20 3A with a 2-1 victory over the third place Hudson Lady Hornets, but fell short of capturing a share of the district title with a 3-0 loss to the Huntington Devillettes. The week was one of tough challenges as Rusk entered the second half of district play against the top teams in the district.

Rusk beat Hudson 2-1 April 1 with solid defense and a good second inning. The Lady Eagle "Lights Out" defense only allowed seven base runners, forcing Hudson to strand six of them. The Lady Eagles scored two runs in the second inning, with Kristen Joyner scoring on a deep ball hit into right field by Rachel Mahaffey. Mahaffey scored on the next play when Hillary Huggins slapped a double into the outfield.

Hudson threatened retaliation in the fourth inning with the bases loaded and one out. Lady Hornet right fielder Morgan Berry hit a deep ball toward the gap in right center, which was covered by Rusk centerfielder Calah Clark, who then threw a runner out at second, completing a double play and ending the inning with no score. Hudson got on the board in the seventh inning, but was unable to tie or take the lead from Rusk.

Callie Collins was the winning pitcher, hurling seven strike outs and allowing four hits. Rusk managed three hits, with Mahaffey going one-for-two and Hugghins hitting two-for-two. Joyner got on base with a walk, as did Maranda Westbrook.

The win sent the Lady Eagles into the Huntington game one game behind the Devillettes. Huntington has yet to lose a district game posting a 9-0 record after last week's action. A Rusk win over Huntington Saturday would have knotted up the District 20 3A race with both teams being tied for first place.

Huntington, staying true to form, shut out Rusk 3-0 behind the pitching of sophomore pitcher Carlie Thomas, who struck out 14 Rusk batters. Rusk did put the ball into play, but Huntington's infield rarely makes mistakes.

Westbrook got a hit in the first inning with a ball popped over the third baseman's head. Joyner got a hit in the second inning and Smith hit a double into the left-center fence in the sixth inning. All three would be stranded on base.

Huntington took a 2-0 lead in the fourth inning, extending it to a 3-0 lead in the fifth.

Rusk remains in second place in District 20 3A with a 22-5 record, 8-2 in District 20 3A.

The Lady Eagles hold a two game lead over the third place Hudson Lady Hornets. Rusk will host the Crockett Lady Bulldogs Friday at Lady Eagle Field, before traveling to Carthage Tuesday.