FERRIDAY, La. &045; The baseball is as big as a cantaloupe

right now for Huntington slugger Patrick Clayton.

The Hound leadoff hitter clobbered his second homer in last three games to lead Huntington (5-8) to a 6-0 non-district win over Brookhaven Academy Saturday.

Clayton, who began the year at the top of the order, endured being shuffled around while coaches Michael McAnally and Mitch Ashmore got comfortable on a game lineup.

But since returning to the leadoff spot five games ago, he has thrived for the Hounds.

&uot;Patrick is a senior and I expect more from all my seniors,&uot; McAnally said. &uot;He has provided that spark for us lately.&uot;

Kyle Johnson pitched the complete game four-hitter in the win, as sometimes closer Will Moak came on to pick up the save.

&uot;Kyle threw a complete game for us against Trinity and his last two outings have been nothing but positive,&uot; McAnally said. &uot;We got a great effort from all of our pitching this week. If our bats can can catch up, we should be pretty good by the end of the year.&uot;

The Hounds provided runs for Johnson in third with one and in the fourth with three to build a 4-0 advantage.

&uot;This was probably one of our best overall efforts of the year all around,&uot; McAnally said. &uot;We started swinging the bat better and are beginning to make the routine plays.

&uot;Everything just came together today.&uot;

To go along with Clayton’s second blast of the season, Zack Calhoun went yard for his first dinger of the year.

Ples Arthur added a double, as the Hounds exploded for seven hits and committed just one error.

&uot;I’m pleased with the progress we’ve shown the last three games,&uot; McAnally said. &uot;Hopefully we’ll continue to improve as a good Porter’s Chapel comes in here (Ferriday) on Monday.&uot;