The Opp Bobcats pounded the Elba Tigers 14-1 in five innings on the diamond Thursday night in Opp.

 

The Bobcats jumped out front 8-0 in the first inning, and never looked back.

 

“We hit the ball really well tonight,” Bobcats’ coach Mike Cassady said. “And we had some good pitching.”

 

Britt Buckelew got the win for Bobcats. Buckelew threw three innings striking out six batters, and only allowed a single hit.

 

Cassady credited the Bobcats’ recent success, at least in part, to their improved base running.

 

“The last two games, we have started to run the bases really well,” Cassady said. “We are reading dirt balls and advancing, and executing hit-and-runs. We are moving up bases when other teams miss the cutoff man, and that has really been helping us put runners in scoring position.”

 

Cassady also said the Bobcats are showing improvement at the plate.

 

“We have really improved at the plate the last two games,” Cassady said. “We are having better approaches at the plate, and we are doing better with pitch counts. The last two games we have only had 10 strikeouts, and if you can put the ball in play then you are at least giving yourself a chance to reach.”

 

The Bobcats are putting together all three parts of their game, and look to continue to build on the recent success.

 

“When you pitch well, hit well, and field well you usually have a good outcome,” Cassady said. “Right now, we are doing all three things well.”

 

Buckelew went 2-for-3 at the plate and knocked in three runs for the Bobcats.

 

Cale Pierce went 2-for-3 with a single and a triple. Pierce also had a pair of RBIs for the Bobcats.

 

Lucas Worley went 2-for-2 with two singles and an RBI.

 

The Bobcats next game will be Monday in Kinston. The junior varsity game will begin at 4 p.m., with the varsity game starting second.