A six-run first inning sent the Caldwell County Tigers on their way to an 8-1 victory over Marshall County on Monday at the VFW Ballpark in Princeton.
Channing Puckett went the distance on the mound for Caldwell, striking out eight and allowing just one run on six base hits.
After allowing a run in the top of the first, Puckett blanked the Marshals the rest of the way.
Meanwhile, Caldwell (9-2) sent 11 batters to the plate in the home half of the inning.
Ari Wells doubled to center to tie the game at 1-1. Westin King singled home another run to put the Tigers up 2-1.
Wells scored on a wild pitch to make it 3-1. Puckett picked up an RBI with a sacrifice fly to center.
An error extended Caldwell’s margin to 5-1. David Ginn then scored as part of a double steal to make it 6-1.
Drew Stevens had a sacrifice fly to center in the second to put Caldwell up 7-1.
Stevens then scored on a sac fly by Puckett in the fifth to give the Tigers their 8-1 advantage.
That was more than enough run support for Puckett, who threw 109 pitches in the complete-game effort.
Wells was 2-for-4 at the plate and scored twice. Collin Whittington, Luke Parker, King and Stevens each had singles for Caldwell.
Hudson Doughty was 2-for-4 for Marshall, which is now 7-3.
Caldwell will see 7th District action on Tuesday when it goes to Madisonville-North Hopkins.
