Bobcats Baseball Start District 2-0

FRUITVALE—The Fruitvale Bobcats have gotten off to a 2-0 start to the district schedule with a 2-1 win over Yantis, and an 11-0 win over Martins Mill.

Shawn LaPrade got the win over Yantis with a 16-strikeout performance. LaPrade gave up three hits over seven innings and walked two.

Yantis got on the board first, when a lead off single and an error in the field with two outs scored a run in the third inning.

Fruitvale tied the score in the bottom of the fourth. Austin Congleton (2-for-3, two runs scored) reached on an error, then stole his way to third base. With two outs, Hunter Houser (2-for-3, 1 RBI) singled Congleton home.

Congleton hit a leadoff triple in the sixth, and LaPrade (1-for-3, 1 RBI) hit a first-pitch single to drive in the winning run.

After a non-district, 17-1 win over Leveretts Chapel, the Bobcats traveled to Martins Mill to take on the Mustangs.

LaPrade got the start again and pitched a two-hitter over five innings, striking out 10. LaPrade set the Mustangs down in order in four of the five innings.

Fruitvale opened up a 7-0 first inning lead, as the first four batters reached safely. Congleton hit a two-RBI double, and LaPrade, Houser, Eric Baker, Blaine Lunsford and Caleb Westbrook all added RBIs.

The Bobcats added runs in each of the next four innings to complete the win.

Westbrook, Houser and LaPrade all had 3-for-4 nights at the plate with LaPrade getting 3 RBIs. Tyler Yates was 2-for-2 with a run scored and an RBI.

The Bobcats were scheduled to take on Union Hill on Tuesday, and Millers Grove on Friday. The next home game for Fruitvale will be April 18 against Campbell.