SUMMIT – The North Jaguars hammered the Lawrence County Cougars 12-2 in Region 7-4A baseball Friday night. Jaguar catcher Reed Taylor went 4-for-4 and first baseman Jacob Fleming whacked a 3-run homer to power North Pike, which completed a 2-game sweep of Lawrence County.

Pitcher Brady Badon fashioned a 2-hitter, striking out 6 LCHS batters.

With the win, George Lott’s Jaguars improved to 7-1 overall, and 2-0 in the region. Lawrence County, coached by Cory Keyes, fell to 1-5 overall, and 0-2 in division play.

“It’s been a tough couple of weeks,” Keyes said, “and tonight was the toughest so far. Obviously, we aren’t doing many things right. We won’t give in to this adversity. We’ll keep working, and trying to get better.”

Lawrence County scratched out an unearned, first-inning run to take its only lead of the 2-game series. That lead didn’t last long, as Fleming blasted a 3-run shot in the bottom of the first, and North Pike never looked back.

The Jaguars scored in every inning, finally putting the game away with a 6-run outburst in the bottom of the sixth. Jordan Linton’s single drove home Dallas Smith with North Pike’s 12th run, ending the game via the 10-run rule.

Catcher Taylor had a great night. All 4 of his hits played parts in North Pike scoring rallies. Fleming had a single along with his homer. Linton, Patrick Roberts, Austin Smith and Dallas Smith all had hits.

Badon was rock solid on the mound, allowing only singles to Lawrence County’s Patrick Little and Rusty Rowells. Those were the only hits North Pike pitching gave up in the series, as Fleming no-hit the Cougars on Tuesday.

“This is the toughest start we’ve ever had to a season,” said long-time LCHS assistant Craig Davis. “We’re not playing well, but the quality of the opposition has had a lot to do with that. Every team we’ve played, including the one we beat, is a very good team. We’ll just keep our head down and keep plowing, and I’m confident it’ll get better.”