TYLERTOWN – The Lawrence County Cougars defeated the Tylertown Chiefs 12-1 in high school baseball action Saturday afternoon, at Tylertown High School. Lawrence County exploded for nine second-inning runs, and that was more than enough for LCHS right-hander Kody Smith, who pitched five strong innings.

With the win, Cory Keyes’ Cougars improved to 11-8 on the season. The victory snapped a three-game losing streak for Lawrence County.

“We had a good day,” said Keyes, “and we needed it. Our guys have been playing hard, but not getting much to show for it the last week, or so. I’m glad they were able to have some success today.”

With the game scoreless in the top of the second, Lawrence County put up nine runs on five hits. After the first batter of the inning was retired, 12 straight LCHS batters reached base. Logan Greenlee, Kasey Durr, Joshua Stephens, Kewaun May and Smith each had singles in the frame.

Smith, meanwhile, was having an easy time of it with the Tylertown lineup. In five innings, he struck out seven, and allowed only an infield single to leadoff batter Jenkins LaCroix in the first inning. Smith did walk two batters and hit another.

In the fourth, Lawrence County added a 10th run when Will Jackson walked, moved to second on a wild pitch, and scored on a Logan Greenlee single. In the fifth, Smith’s two-run single plated May and Marcus Atterberry, who had also singled. T-Tez Cole also had two hits for the Cougars.

Evan Busbin started on the mound for Tylertown. He was relieved in the second by Vochia Jefferson.

Lawrence County also won in junior varsity play, beating Tylertown 10-2. Seth Bass, Steven Colson, Devin Thurman, Walt Lowe, Marcus Kees, and Duke Tanksley had hits in the jayvee contest. Marcus Atterberry pitched three innings, and eighth-grade southpaw Brandon Bullock worked the fourth.