Five unearned runs in the first inning were too much for the Caldwell County Tigers to overcome in a 15-7 setback to Whitley County Tuesday in the Mustang Invitational at McCracken County.
The Tigers got back to within 5-3 in the third inning and 6-4 in the fourth inning but could never draw even after falling behind early.
Whitley County (5-1) added three runs in the bottom of the fourth, five runs in the fifth and two more in the sixth to pull away for the 15-7 victory.
Caldwell, now 1-3, actually outhit the Colonels in the contest 13-9, but Whitley was issued nine free passes.
Luke Stanfill led Whitley County at the plate, going 3-for-4 with a double, two runs batted in and three runs scored. Sam Harp was 2-for-5 with a double and three RBIs.
For Caldwell, Carter Whittington was 3-for-4. Tate VanHooser went 2-for-3 with a triple and two runs batted in. Logan Smiley was 2-for-4 with a pair of triples and knocked in two runs while Hunter Newsome and Gabe Dyer each went 2-for-4.
Caldwell starting pitcher Ben Goodaker suffered the loss for the Tigers, allowing five earned runs on seven base hits in four innings.
Grant Zehr pitched into the fifth inning while picking up the win for Whitley. He allowed three earned runs on nine base hits.
Caldwell is off the rest of the week before playing in the 2nd Region All A Classic next week.
