FERRIDAY — The Huntington Hounds almost mounted a comeback Thursday in the seventh inning without even putting the ball in play.

Down 10-6, the Hounds loaded the bases and walked in three runs, cutting opponent Tensas Academy’s lead to one. Tensas finally buckled down and got the last out, however, leaving the Hounds on the short end of a 10-9 final score in the first round of the MAIS District 6-A tournament.

Despite the loss, Hounds head coach Matt Mason said he was pleased with the team’s effort Thursday, and expects good things going into today’s game against Tallulah Academy.

“We swung the bats better than we have in a while,” Mason said. “Our goal is to get into the playoffs, and we have to win two games in the tournament to do that.

“In our minds, tonight was just a night to get our cuts in and battle, and I’m proud of the effort we showed.”

In the top of the seventh, Huntington’s Jared Hedricks walked, and then stole second base. Brandon Warshaw struck out looking, but Roper Craft and Kevin Brown followed up with two bases on balls, loading them up.

Caleb Gillespie, the next batter, also walked, which brought in Hedricks. Matthew Humphries popped up for the second out, but Joseph Bonnette and Holden Hill followed that up with two walks, making the score 10-9.

Huntington’s comeback bid came to an end when starter Hunter Knapp struck out on a 2-2 count.

“We showed some poise and didn’t give up, and that bodes well for the rest of the tournament,” Mason said. “It gives us something to carry into the next two games.

“Our main problem this season is that we’ve been inconsistent. We’ll have our good and bad moments, and hopefully we’ll be consistent the next couple of days in order to give us a chance to win.”

Huntington got behind 5-0 going into the top of the second inning, but Bonnette knocked in Gillespie from third base to get things started for the Hounds.

Another run scored on a fielder’s choice, then Jared Hedricks drove in two more runs, making it 5-4 Tensas going into the bottom of the third.

Huntington tacked on two runs in the top of the fourth on an RBI single by Knapp that scored Gillespie and Humphries. However, Tensas scored two runs in the bottom of the fourth, one in the fifth and two in the sixth, giving it a 10-6 lead going into the seventh.

Knapp took the loss for Huntington, pitching all six innings for the Hounds.

Huntington will play Tallulah Academy today at 4 p.m.

Trinity 12,

Tallulah Academy 0

An 11-run first inning propelled the Saints to a blowout win against Tallulah Academy Thursday.

Jordan Dossett got the win for Trinity, while Tallulah’s Jake Busby took the loss.

Dossett went 2-for-3 at the plate with a double. Andrew Moroney was 2-for-2 with two doubles, and Daniel Dunaway finished 2-for-3 with a double.

Trinity will take on Tensas Academy Friday evening.