T.J. House fans 20 in Tide's 4-1 win over Hornets

by Carey Meitzler

Poplarville--Junior left hander T.J. House came into his last start of the season leading Region 8-4A and all of the Mississippi

gulf coast area in strikeouts.  He padded his lead as he struck out 20 batters in going the distance in Picayune's 4-1 extra innings

win over Poplarville.   House's feat broke the single game record of 18 strikeouts that was held by Greg Walls, Jr. 

Walls struck out 18 batters in a 7 inning game against Harrison Central on March 3, 1996.  On two other occasions in the '96

season, he struck out 17 batters in a game. (thanks to former Head Coach Kent Kirkland for providing this data)

Picayune broke a 21 inning scoring drought by scoring a run in the top of the first inning.  Jacob Riser singled with one out and

Jared Bales followed with a single.  Riser scored on Hunter Gill's single to right for a 1-0 lead.

In the bottom of the first, Poplarville got a one out triple from Jonathan Anderson, who scored on Ashley Graeter's sacrifice fly

to right field to tie the game at 1-1.

House struck out the side in the second inning, allowed an infield single in the third while striking out the side, and gave up a

single to Graeter in the fourth before striking out the next three batters he faced. 

Picayune had runners at second based in the fourth and fifth, but was unable to score.

House struck out the side in the fifth to push his total to 13 at that point in the game.  He added two strikeouts in the sixth,

struck out the side in the seventh, and recorded one in the 8th inning to run his total to19 strikeouts.

In the top of the 9th, Garrett Williams walked to start the inning.  Andrew Lohnes' bunt back to the pitcher who was able to

force out Williams as second base as Lohnes reached on the fielder's choice.  Lohnes stole second base and moved to third

base on Kyle Beech's grounder to first base.  With two outs, leadoff hitter Brett Milner laced a single up the middle to bring

in Lohnes with the go ahead run.  On the next pitch, Milner broke for second base and Riser delivered a perfect hit and run

grounder between first and second base that moved Milner to third base. Jared Bales was intentionally walked that put Riser

on second base to load the bases.  Evan Nichelson laced a single that scored both Milner and Riser to make the score 4-1.

House worked the 9th inning getting two ground outs and struck out the last batter, his 20th strikeout, to earn the win.

House (5-5) faced 32 batters in his nine innings of work.  He allowed just five base runners which came on three hits,

one walk, and a throwing error by the Maroon Tide.

Picayune (6-20, 4-8) was led on offense by Jacob Riser with his two singles and two runs scored. Brett Milner stole two

bases after reaching on base on balls in the fifth and seventh innings respectively.

Poplarville (11-12, 5-7) secured the fourth seed with their win at Picayune on Saturday and will play at Long Beach

on Thursday in the first round of the Region 8-4a tournament.

WRJW 1320 AM score card pictured below shows House's 20 K effort.

     1              2                  3               4                5                  6             7                8               9