MONTICELLO – The Lawrence County High Cougars hammered theMcComb Tigers 11-1 in Division 6-4A high school baseball actionTuesday night at Jimmie Davis Park. The Cougars got a dominating17-strikeout effort from senior right-hander, and 3 extra-base hitsand 5 runs batted in from Taebyus Smith.

With the win, coach Cory Keyes’ Cougars improved to 18-1overall, and 12-1 in Division 6-4A play. McComb, under coach ChuckFreeman, is still very much in contention for the division’s fourthplayoff berth, at 3-7 in league play.

Keyes, in his second year at LCHS, liked what he saw from hispitcher, and from Cougar hitters.

“We had a good night,” Keyes said. “Jake’s been close toautomatic for us all season, and he was outstanding again tonight.And I thought our guys did a good job at the plate tonight.McComb’s pitcher was throwing very well.”

Smith, a senior right-fielder, went 3-for-4, with a homerun and2 doubles, and 5 runs batted in. He got the Cougars started in thebottom of the first with a 2-run homer. That came after a TrentHartzog single and a Johnathan Stephens RBI double.

In the third, Smith made it 4-0, driving in Stephens, who hadreached on an error.

Meanwhile, Russell was totally having his way with the McComblineup. He struck out the first 11 Tiger batters. For the night, hefanned 17, while walking just 1, and allowing 3 hits. DontrellSargent had 2 of McComb’s 3 hits, including a fourth-inning solohomer that spoiled Russell’s shutout bid. Scott Mercier also had ahit for McComb.

In the bottom of the fifth, Lawrence County added 3 more runs,as Nick Jackson, after a walk to Stephens and a Ballard single,blasted a 2-run homer to right-center.

The Cougars ended the game, via the 10-run rule, with 4 moreruns in the sixth. Joseph Evans, Hartzog, Stephens, Smith, andBallard had consecutive hits.

Chris Fleming gave it a good fight for McComb. In 5-plusinnings, Fleming allowed 11 hits and struck out 5.

Lawrence County will travel to McComb for a varsitydouble-header on Friday.