Photo - Kelly Phillips
Caldwell County’s first trip to Todd County Central in almost nine years was a successful one.
Channing Puckett struck out 10 as the Tigers captured an 8-0 victory over the Rebels on Tuesday.
Caldwell, now 17-4, led just 1-0 through four innings and 2-0 through five before pulling away late.
Puckett (4-1) walked five but scattered just three base hits in six innings of work.
Presten Alfred tossed the seventh inning, allowing three walks but no hits while striking out two.
Caldwell grabbed a 1-0 lead in the second when Alfred stole third and scored on an error.
The Tigers made it 2-0 in the top of the fifth when Collin Whittington drew a leadoff walk, took third on a bunt and scored on an infield single by Derek Wilson.
Three errors helped Caldwell add three runs in the sixth to go up 5-0. The Tigers did not have a hit in the inning.
Caldwell added three more runs in the seventh. Westin King had an RBI single, then Puckett drove in another run with a double to center. Whittington knocked in Puckett with another double to extend the margin to 8-0.
King was 2-for-4 to help lead the Caldwell offense. Whittington and Puckett each doubled while Luke Parker, Drew Stevens, Ari Wells and Wilson each singled.
Todd is now 11-9.
Conner Wheeler was 2-for-3 with a double for the Rebels while Ty Jolly singled.
Tommy VanBeber suffered the loss on the mound. He allowed four earned runs on eight hits in seven innings.
Caldwell and Todd had not met since May 7, 2016, with the Tigers winning in Elkton 17-0.
Caldwell leads the all-time series 8-1.
The Tigers will be on the road again on Friday when they visit Carlisle County.
The Rebels next host Hopkins County Central on Thursday.
