Zach Maxwell

Sports Reporter

COLBERT — The Leopards squeezed together four opening-season wins in two days last week, getting the best of Silo, Wright City, Bennington and Coleman.

After a Monday matchup against Stonewall, the Leopards are looking forward to the Tupelo Tournament on Thursday. They will meet Soper at 2 p.m. Thursday in Tupelo.

Friday, Aug. 10: Colbert 9, Silo 6

Bradley Nichols had a three-run homer and a four-inning save on the mound. Starter Preston Rice picked up the pitching win.

“They both did a good job keeping us in the ballgame,” said Colbert Coach Lance Britt. “Nichols came in and really threw well. We were fortunate, we got some breaks. (Silo) hit into three double plays and a triple play. They hit the ball hard, but right at us and our kids were able to make some plays and eliminate baserunners.”

For Colbert, Peyton Whitehead had an RBI single; James hair a double; Dylan Jones scored three runs. For Silo, KC Walls was 3-for-3 and Leonard Sandler had a double. Jarris Hamilton took the loss on the mound.

Colbert 10, Wright City 2

Kason Krob struck out seven and issued only three hits in five innings of work. Caleb Shoemake was 3-for-3 – all doubles – on a 4-RBI afternoon. Jones and Nichols logged two hits each and Trevor Cole collected a pair of RBIs.

Saturday, Aug. 11: Colbert 14, Bennington 4

Whitehead took a pitching win for the Leopards while Ryan Lott had the loss for the Bears. Jones went 2-4 at bat with two RBIs, James Hair was 2-3 with two RBIs, and Shoemake and Nichols hit doubles.

“We hit the ball well; it was just a four inning game and we had nine hits,” Britt said. “Peyton didn’t have his best stuff but he kept us in the ballgame.”

Colbert 3, Coleman 2

The Leopards saved the best for last in the two-day weekend festival in a nine-inning decision over the Wildcats. Freshman Chris Roberts got his first varsity start, relieved by Tanner Lyday and Bradley Nichols.

“(Chris) has got a bright future, but command issues. He had too many walks,” said Britt. “(Tanner) stepped up and pitched us out of some jams.”

Lyday earned the win, while Nichols came on late, fanned one Wildcat and picked up a save in the close ballgame.

Tied 2-2 in the ninth, Shoemake belted a two-out single and Dylan Jones ripped a double on a hit-and-run play to score Shoemake for the 3-2 edge. Cade Carter was 2-2 with a double; Kason Krob went 2-4 and Dakota Graham was 2-4 with a triple.