Neal throws no-hitter, Fletcher drives in three runs in Bulldogs’ blowout win

Published 3:21 pm Tuesday, March 26, 2024

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NATCHEZ — Jaylin Neal allowed no hits and struck out three batters while Ahmarrion Fletcher doubled and drove in three runs as the Natchez High School Bulldogs needed only two innings to defeat the South Pike High School Eagles 21-0 last Saturday afternoon at Chester Willis Field.

Neal walked just one batter and the defense behind him did not commit a single error. At the plate, he was walked twice and scored three errors.

Natchez High scored 13 runs in the bottom of the first inning and ended the game real early with eight runs in the bottom of the second to run-rule South Pike to give the Bulldogs a two-game winning streak.

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Fletcher ended up going 3-for-3 with the double, three RBIs and two runs scored to lead the Bulldogs at the plate. As a team, they had nine total base hits and took advantage of five North Pike errors as well as five hit batters and six combined walks.

Jaylin Davis also had a double and he went 2-for-2 with four RBIs and three runs scored. Drylon Scott was 2-for-3 with two runs scored. Despite officially going 0-for-3 at the plate, Antonio Crenshaw drove in five runs and scored two runs. Jamarius Bell was 1-for-2 with one RBI and one run scored.

Williams was the losing pitcher for South Pike after giving up 16 runs, only four of them earned, on six hits with four walks, two strikeouts, and four hit batters. C. Eubanks came on in relief and was not much better. In fact, Eubanks did not record a single out and allowed five runs, none of them earned, on three hits, two walks, and one hit batter.

Natchez High (10-9) was scheduled to play at Franklin County High School on Monday with the junior varsity game at 5 p.m. and the varsity game at 7 p.m. — if the weather permitted.

The forecast did not look very promising as heavy rain and the threat for severe weather ahead of a strong cold front was to move through the region last Monday afternoon.

“Hopefully, it will pass over,” Bulldogs head coach Dan Smith said Sunday afternoon.

Then the Bulldogs were to host Hattiesburg High School for a varsity-only game at Chester Willis Field at 5 p.m. Tuesday.

Natchez High’s scheduled MHSAA Region 3-5A varsity doubleheader at home against North Pike High School that was to take place last Friday afternoon was postponed due to the inclement weather. Smith said he does not know when those games will be rescheduled for, but he added that it will likely be at the end of the regular season in April.