VIDALIA, La. &045; Just who you don’t want to face in the season opener &045; a tall, hard-throwing right-hander who is waiting to put on a college uniform next year.

Vidalia’s Vikings opened the season Monday with a 6-1 loss to Class 4A Pineville while struggling at the plate against Heath Hennigan, a Northwestern State signee. The Vikings had five hits and struck out 12 times, but it was nine errors to their credit that helped the Rebels’ cause.

&uot;He was throwing in the upper 80s and hit 91 at one time,&uot; Vidalia head coach Johnny Lee Hoffpauir said. &uot;He had good command of three pitches. His fastball speaks for itself, but he has a good curve and a changeup to go with it.&uot;

The Vikings got three hits off Hennigan, including a solo homer from Reid Simpson in the fourth inning that trimmed the lead to 2-1. Hennigan threw six innings and exited after the Vikings put runners on second and third with two outs thanks to a Brett Hinson double before a strikeout ended the inning.

But defense was the biggest obstacle for the Vikings, who did not surrender an earned run as the Rebels had just three hits. Hinson went 3 2/3 innings before Tony Godbold threw 2 1/3 and Jordan Brewer threw one.

Huntington 9, Copiah 1

FERRIDAY, La. &045; Jacob Bonnette struck out nine and had a key run-scoring double in the fifth inning as the Hounds opened the season with a win over Copiah.

Bonnette got the win after going 5 2/3 innings and not allowing a run. Huston Eliser closed it out for the Hounds.

The Hounds scored three in the first, two in the second and three more in the third to take the lead. Bonnette doubled in the fifth to score Eliser and Austin Butler.

The Hounds host Trinity Episcopal tonight.