Sophomore righthander John Bingham struck out eight and surrendered just a pair of base hits to pitch Lyon County to a 9-2 win at Caldwell County Tuesday afternoon.
A two-run home run by Eli Baker with two outs in the top of the third inning helped the Lyons build a 3-0 lead early.
Carter Whittington singled home a run for Caldwell in the bottom of the third but the Tigers could get no closer than 3-1.
Whittington finished 2-for-3 at the plate for Caldwell.
Despite being limited to just those two hits, Caldwell did have some opportunities offensively thanks to four walks and four Lyon errors. But each time the Tigers threatened, Bingham worked out of the jam.
Lyon extended its lead to 5-1 in the fifth on a two-run double by Brady Belt.
The Lyons blew things open in the top of the seventh with four more runs. Bingham singled home a run during that inning.
Baker finished 2-for-2 at the plate for Lyon with the two RBIs, two walks and four runs scored.
Peyton Williams was 2-for-3 with a pair of doubles and scored twice.
Caldwell starter Cole Slone suffered the loss. Slone pitched well early in the contest before struggling late. He worked into the seventh, allowing seven earned runs on six hits. Slone fanned five but also walked five.
Both of Caldwell’s runs off of Bingham were unearned. Drew Richie relieved Bingham in the seventh inning and recorded the game’s final out.
The Tigers (1-1) are scheduled to play at home again on Thursday against Union County.
The Lyons (1-1) will take the rest of this week off.
Caldwell and Lyon will hook up again in the first round of the 2nd Region All A Classic April 10 in Eddyville.
