By Michael Lindsay
Macon County opened District 7-3A baseball play with a 4-1 victory at Cumberland County Wednesday afternoon led by a stellar performance on the mound from junior pitcher Jacob Hunt.
“It’s big for our program and a great way to start the season,” said Macon County head coach Jason Hudson. “My pitcher (Hunt) pitched great.”
Hunt went the distance Wednesday as the lefty recorded 10 strikeouts while surrendering only 1 hit, 1 walk and 1 earned run in 7 innings against the Jets.
“It’s huge, especially early in the year,” Hudson said. “We’re not going to push our guys, but his pitch count was low. It’s huge to save arms; you never know what tomorrow brings. Tomorrow may be 20-20 and we use 6 arms.”
Cumberland County’s Braylon Burnett also went the distance for the Jets as he surrendered 3 hits and struck out 6 batters in 7 innings.
At the plate, Macon County was led by Ely Malo, who went 1-3 with 2 RBIs, 2 runs scored and a home run.
Malo’s homer came in the top of the first inning as the senior outfielder sent a shot over the left field wall for a two-run home run, putting the Tigers ahead 2-0.
“To jump out 2-0 right off the bat and give our kids some momentum is huge,” Hudson said. “They’re fired up; it’s early in the season and this is the opener in the district. We scratched a few more around after that, but need to get more consistent hitting. Early in the season, pitching is ahead of the bats.”
Macon County wasn’t done scoring in the first inning as a Hayes Polston single to left scored Kaden Woodard, putting the Tigers ahead 3-0 after the opening frame.
Macon County tacked on their fourth run in the top of the third inning as Malo reached home on a Jet error to give the Tigers a 4-0 lead.
After walking the first batter he faced in the bottom of the first inning, Hunt dialed in on the mound as he retired the next 18 straight CCHS batters to take a no-hitter into the bottom of the 7th inning.
Hunt opened the final frame with an out as he forced a CCHS fly-out for his 19th straight out.
Cumberland County senior catcher Cade Baisley broke up the no-hitter on the ensuing at-bat via a solo homer to left field, trimming Macon’s lead to 4-1.
Hunt was unfazed by the CCHS long ball as he retired the next two Jet batters to seal the 4-1 Macon County victory.
The Tigers improve to 2-0 overall and host Cumberland County on Thursday. Macon County will take Friday off before returning to District 7-3A play on Monday against White County.
