WESSON -The Lawrence County Cougars defeated the Wesson Cobras8-1 in high school baseball action Saturday night. Trent Hartzogand Corey Jones combined for 7 hits and 5 runs batted in, andMackenzie Woods pitched 6 strong innings, to help the Cougars snapa 2-game losing streak. LCHS had dropped an 8-0 decision toVicksburg, in Monticello, earlier in the day.

“Mackenzie gave us another good outing,” said third-yearLawrence County coach Cory Keyes. “He sort of ran out of gas in thelater innings, but that was understandable. We’ve had a pretty longday-a pretty long weekend.”

In Woods’ previous start, he threw a 7-inning perfect gameagainst St. Stanislaus. Against Wesson, Woods flirted withperfection again. He retired the first 10 Cobra batters. With 1 outin the fourth inning, Wesson’s Brandt Hood was hit by a pitch. Twobatters later, Cobra first baseman Jonathan Grace broke up Woods’no-hit bid.

Lawrence County grabbed a 2-0 lead in the second. Jones, BrandonMiddlebrook, and Joseph Evans had singles in the inning. TheCougars missed out on major scoring opportunities in the first andthird innings, but added to their lead in the fourth. Evans hadanother single, and the big blow was a 2-out, 2-run double by TrentHartzog. LCHS had a 5-0 lead.

Hartzog, a senior shortstop, had a huge day for the Cougars. Hewent 4-for-4, with 3 singles and a double, and drove in 2 runs.

Wesson cut the Lawrence County lead to 5-1 in the bottom of thefourth, when Grace’s single was erred in right field, allowingCobra pitcher Daniel Watson to score. Grace had 2 of Wesson’s 3hits, with catcher Matt Smith getting the other.

Corey Jones put the game out of reach in the top of the seventh,clouting a 3-run homer that gave Lawrence County an 8-1 lead. Hewent 3-for-4, with a single, double, and homer. Evans had 2 hitsfor the Cougars. Middlebrook, Woods, and catcher Zachary Summerseach had 1.

Evans pitched the final inning for Lawrence County. He struckout 3 and walked 1.

Watson got hit some, but he worked a gutsy 7 innings. Watsonallowed 12 hits, walked 3, and struck out 4.

Lawrence County improved to 7-3 on the season. Coach HughKnight’s Cobras fell to 3-6.