SUMMIT-The North Pike Jaguars hammered the Lawrence County Cougars 13-3 Tuesday night, in the Division 7-4A opener for both schools. North Pike exploded for 9 runs on 9 hits in the third inning, and was never threatened. The Jaguars ended the game via the 10-run rule in the bottom of the sixth inning.

With the win, George Lott’s Jaguars are off to a 1-0 start in division play, while Cory Keyes’ Cougars start 0-1. Getting off to a positive start in the division is key in Division 7-4A, which features potential state title contenders Columbia and Purvis.

“Obviously, not the start we wanted,” said LCHS coach Cory Keyes, “but we’ll keep working on it. We’ve had some really ugly games, and we’ve had a couple of very good ones. We’ve got to improve to the point that the good games are the norm. We’re not very consistent right now.”

Lawrence County and North Pike will conclude their home series at Jimmie Davis Park in Monticello, on Friday.

Tuesday night was “Dallas Smith” night at North Pike. The Jaguar left-hander went 7 innings on the mound, scattering 6 hits and striking out 4. At the plate, Smith really shined, going 4-for-4, with a double and 3 runs batted in.

North Pike held a slim 2-0 lead going to the bottom of the third, then exploded for 9 runs on 9 hits in that inning. Eight straight Jaguars reached base after 2 were out in the inning.

“Give credit to North Pike,” said long-time LCHS assistant Craig Davis. “In one stretch, 9 of 10 guys got hits. It was 11-0, and they had only swung through 1 pitch in the game.

“We kicked the ball around in the last inning to give us an ugly error total, but most of what happened to us tonight was earned by North Pike’s bats.”

Brantley Hughes got 3 hits for the Jaguars, and Levi Wishart added 2. LD Coney, Reed Taylor, Patrick Roberts, Blake Dunaway and Austin Smith also had hits.

Lawrence County left-hander Joshua Stephens relieved starter Kody Smith in the third, and did a decent job of slowing down the North Pike hitting attack. He struck out 3 and held the Jaguars scoreless in the fourth and fifth innings.

Will Jackson and Kewaun May, the lone seniors on the LCHS roster, each had 2 hits for the Cougars. Kody Smith and catcher Logan Greenlee also had hits.