By Michael Lindsay
The Livingston Academy Wildcats earned a run-rule victory over Pickett County Thursday afternoon as a 9-run first inning led them to a 13-2 win.
“This was one of the first times this season we’ve went out and actually swung at strikes,” said Wildcat head coach Jamie Loftis. “We’re executing better now. Our defense has got better as the season’s went on and if we continue to take good approaches, we’ll have a shot against anybody.”
A Drew Goolsby single in the bottom of the first inning kicked off the 9-run rally by the Wildcats in the frame that featured hits by Goolsby, Ben Threet and Adam Alford before a three-run Tayshawn Hayes home run to left field to give Livingston a 9-0 lead.
“Tayshawn had a three-run shot tonight and has been on fire all season,” said Loftis. “Drew Goolsby has got hot lately and we’ve had a lot of guys starting to pick it up.”
Pickett County got on the board in the top of the third inning via a Jayden Daniels sacrifice fly to score Eli Reagan and an Elijah Taylor single to make the score 9-2.
Livingston scored 4 more runs in the bottom of the third via two Bobcat errors and a Goolsby sacrifice fly to take a 13-2 lead, a score that would stand until the Wildcats secured the win in 5 innings.
Alford earned the victory on the mound as he struck out 4 batters and walked 2 in 5 innings of work.
Livingston is scheduled to travel to York Institute on Friday, weather permitting, and Clarkrange on Monday before entering the District 7-3A tournament next week.
