LAMP’s Hayden White had four hits to lead the Golden Tigers over Elmore County Thursday in the FCA Jason Armstrong Tourney at Riverwalk Stadium. (Staff Photo)

Staff Report
(March 5, 2010)

The LAMP Golden Tigers put together a solid hitting performance in an 11-5 victory over Elmore County in the FCA Jason Armstrong Memorial Baseball Classic on Thursday at Riverwalk Stadium.

But coach Rocky Smith was still looking for more.

“We got a lot of people in the game. We got some key hits, but we are still looking for a few more,” Smith said. “I am happy we won, but we have a ways to go.”

The Tigers (6-4) left the bases loaded twice and managed to score the first five runs on a single hit. 

“Our youth shows up in situations like this,” Elmore County coach Wendell Jackson said. “We’ve got one senior on this team. Our hitting has not come around and we have to swing the bats better, field better. We didn’t put ourselves in position to play small ball like I wanted.”

Hayden White led the LAMP attack with four hits including two doubles while Jalen Spraggins had three hits and three runs scored. Miller Norman and Lucas Tribble knocked in three runs.

Chris Dunn was the winning pitcher, allowing just one hit over three innings of work. He struck out three and walked two for his second win of the season.

Dunn was one of four pitchers used by Smith, who is looking for more arms as area play looms.

“We continue to work more guys on the mound. We’ve got a lot of guys who can throw. They need work,” Smith said.

Elmore County starter Brandon Smirnoff pitched around errors and walks in the first three innings. At the plate he had three hits and drove in two.

“He is still learning,” Jackson said. “We’ve got to give him a little help. But he also has to limit his walks.”

LAMP will face Alabama Christian at the AUM Dixie Fields on Friday at 5 p.m. Elmore County (1-7) plays Trinity at 4 p.m. at Paterson Field.

Two big innings propel Trinity over St. James

The Trinity Wildcats broke open a close game with two big innings in an 11-4 win over St. James in the first game at Riverwalk Stadium on Thursday.

“We’ve got some inconsistencies to work on but overall I was pleased,” Trinity coach Ken Whittle said. “We need tournaments like this to work on that. I like playing in this format where we get five or six games in a week. We need to play more.”

St. James was again plagued by errors. After committing six in a win over Marbury on Wednesday, the Trojans had five more in the loss on Thursday.

“We are on the verge of being a pretty good team,” St. James coach Keith Lucky said. “We make errors at critical times and it kills us in a game like this.”

Steven Taunton started and picked up the win for Trinity.

“He’s one of our basketball players who is just now coming along,” Whittle said. “We have a few who are just now getting their timing. We’ve got a week before area play so we’ll use a lot of guys in this tournament.”

Trinity (3-2) will play Elmore County on Friday. St. James (4-5) will play two games Saturday starting at 10 a.m. against Jeff Davis and followed by a game against LAMP at noon.

ACA wins easily over Montgomery Academy

Cody Bell struck out eight and allowed just four hits in the Alabama Christian Academy Eagles’ 11-1 win over Montgomery Academy in six innings at Paterson Field on Thursday.

Bell struck out eight batters and walked one. He also had a two-run triple in the win.

Chase Davis also tripled in the win while Jordan Creel had two hits.

ACA plays LAMP while MA (4-5) faces Brewbaker Tech at Riverwalk Stadium at 6:30.