The Grenada Chargers found out that no matter how good your pitching is there will be bad days.
Last Friday in Olive Branch, GHS sent junior lefthander Carson Renfro to the mound to face Class 7A foe DeSoto Central. Renfro was fresh off a no-hitter at Heritage Academy. The Jaguars touched the lefthander for 8 hits, 6 runs and four earned runs, but the story of the game was the offense that pounded out 13 hits in a 12-6 victory.
Saturday, GHS was in Starkville to face fellow Class 6A opponent Neshoba Central. The Chargers had their second straight double-digit hit performance and the pitching of junior Tanner Fowler for an 8-1 win.
In the nightcap Saturday, the Chargers faced longtime foe Starkville High School. Pitching dominated on both sides as the teams combined for just 9 hits as the Jackets won a 4-2 decision.
With the weekend action, Grenada stands at 5-3 on the season.
“Carson didn’t have his best stuff, but competed for five innings,” head coach C.J. Hodges said. “I told our guys that some nights you are going to have great pitching and your hitting not there. There will be other nights when the hitting is good and the pitching not so good.”
The Chargers broke a 2-2 tie with three runs in the fourth inning and added four runs in the third inning.
Senior outfielder Hayden Lee was 3-for-5 (double, 2 runs, 2 RBI) to lead the 13-hit attack. Junior designated hitter Keeton Patton finished 2-for-3 (run, RBI) and classmates outfielder Eli Housel was 2-for-4 (3 runs, RBI) and catcher Nelson Downs chipped in with 2 hits and 2 RBI. Junior shortstop Harper Newcomb finishing 1-for-2 (run, 2 RBI).
Seniors Brayden Trusty and Ty Edwards both had a hit and scored a run. Junior Daniel Hopper finished with a single and a run scored. Senior Eli Palmer scored one run.
Neshoba Central
Fowler, 1-0, allowed 5 hits in throwing a complete game, walking 2 and striking out 6 Neshoba Central batters.
Ty Edwards making his second start of the season due to an elbow surgery finished 4-for-4 (2 runs, 2 RBI). Junior Paxton Surrell and Eli Housel (run) each chipped in a double. Brayden Trusty (2 RBI), Eli Housel (run), Harper Newcomb (run), Hayden Lee (run, 2 RBI), Eli Palmer (run) and Daniel Hopper (run) all had singles. Hunter Watson scored a run.
Starkville
The game was tie at 1-1 after one inning of play. Starkville scored single runs, in the third, fourth and fifth innings. Grenada’s final run came in the top of the seventh inning as the game ended with the bases loaded.
Keeton Patton led the Chargers with two hits and drove home a run. Tanner Fowler, Nelson Downs and Ty Edwards each had singles.
Eli Housel pitched 3.1 innings (2 hits, 3 runs, 2 earned runs, 5 walks, 6 strikeouts). Hunter Watson pitched 2.2 innings (2 hits, 1 run, earned run, 3 strikeouts).
Grenada hosts Clarksdale Thursday with junior varsity action at 5 p.m. followed by varsity action. Friday, the Chargers host Class 7A power Northwest Rankin with junior varsity action at 4 p.m. followed by varsity action at 6 p.m.
